About Carrom
Carrom is one of the most loved board games in India and across South Asia, played on a square wooden board with four corner pockets. Our version recreates the feel of a real board: a polished wooden frame, a smooth playing surface, a heavy striker and coins that slide, bounce and collide realistically.
You play the light coins and the computer plays the dark ones. Each time you pocket one of your own coins you shoot again, so a good break can win the board.
Carrom at a glance
| Genre | Board game |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no download or sign-up |
| Controls | Tap |
| Typical game length | A few minutes |
| Lives | See rules |
| Works on | Phones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser |
| Daily challenge | Yes, the same puzzle for everyone each day |
How to play Carrom
- Place the striker. Drag the slider under the board to move the striker along your baseline.
- Pull back and release. Drag back from the striker to aim and set power, then let go.
- Pocket your coins. Every light coin you pocket gives you another shot.
- Grab the queen. The red queen is worth a 50-point bonus.
Rules
- You play the light coins; the computer plays the dark coins.
- Pocketing one of your coins gives you another turn.
- Pocketing the striker is a foul: one of your pocketed coins returns to the centre and your turn ends.
- Coins of the other colour that you pocket count for your opponent.
- The first player to pocket all 9 of their coins wins.
Levels and difficulty
Choose Easy, Medium or Hard. Harder computer opponents aim more accurately.
Scoring
10 points per coin, 50 for the queen and a 300-point bonus for winning. Daily challenge scores can be shared with friends.
Tips and strategy for Carrom
- Aim at a coin with a straight path to a pocket for an easy first shot.
- Softer shots keep the striker from following the coin into the pocket.
- Use the edges: banking off the frame opens shots the computer cannot see.
History of the game
Carrom is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent and is now played worldwide, with international rules managed by the International Carrom Federation.
How we built and tested Carrom
We tested aiming, coin collisions, fouls and the computer opponent on phones and desktops with touch and mouse.
Frequently asked questions
Is carrom free to play?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no download or sign-up.
Can I play carrom on my phone?
Yes. Use the slider to place the striker and drag back to shoot.
What happens if the striker goes in?
That is a foul: one of your pocketed coins goes back to the centre and the computer takes its turn.