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Carrom

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description Carrom Overview

Carrom is a traditional tabletop board game that originated in South Asia and remains widely popular across the Indian subcontinent. Played on a square wooden board, participants use their fingers to flick a heavy striker, aiming to pocket lightweight wooden disks known as carrom men. It is historically notable as the ancestor or close relative of similar finger-flicking games, including pichenotte, pitchnut, and crokinole. The game is designed for two to four players and is commonly played in casual home settings and competitive clubs.

help Carrom FAQ

What is Carrom and how is it played?

Carrom is a tabletop flicking game from South Asia in which players use their fingers to flick a heavy striker disk to pocket smaller playing pieces called carrom men. It's played on a square wooden board approximately 29 inches wide with corner pockets.

Is Carrom related to crokinole?

Yes, Carrom is considered an ancestor or close relative of crokinole, pichenotte, and pitchnut. These flicking games share core mechanics of propelling disks across a flat board, though crokinole adds a central hole and railing bounce mechanic.

Where did Carrom originate?

Carrom originated in South Asia, with roots tracing to the Indian subcontinent. It remains extremely popular in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where it is played both casually and in organized tournaments.

What equipment do you need to play Carrom?

You need a Carrom board (a square wooden board with pockets in each corner), a striker disk, and carrom men — typically 9 white, 9 black, and 1 red queen piece. A fine powder, usually boric acid, is applied to the board surface to reduce friction.

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