About Carrom
Carrom is the much-loved tabletop game from South Asia, often called finger billiards, and a favourite in homes and cafés across the Gulf. Players take turns flicking a heavy striker from their baseline to knock their coins into the four corner pockets. You play the white coins against the computer's black, and pocketing one of your own lets you shoot again.
The red queen is worth extra, but only if you cover it by pocketing one of your own coins right after it; otherwise it goes back to the centre. Pocket the striker and you pay a penalty coin. Play a full board against the computer, challenge a friend on the same device, or practise clearing the whole board in as few shots as possible.
How to play
- Drag along your baseline to position the striker.
- Drag back from the striker and release: the dotted line shows direction and power.
- Pocket your colour to shoot again; the queen must be covered by your next coin.
- Clear all nine of your coins first to win the board.
About Carrom
Carrom is believed to have originated in South Asia and is played everywhere from Indian homes to Gulf cafés. It rewards a steady hand and good angles more than raw power.
Tips to score higher
- Use soft shots for coins near pockets; hard shots scatter the board.
- Line up the coin, the pocket and the striker before you shoot.
- Cover the queen right after pocketing it, or it goes back.
- Avoid shots that might send the striker into a pocket.
Carrom FAQ
What happens if the striker goes in?
It is a foul: one of your pocketed coins returns to the centre and your turn ends.
How many coins are there?
Nine white, nine black and one red queen.
Try next: 8-Ball Pool, Curling and Mini Golf.
