Carrom Online: The Best Multiplayer Board Game on the Web
Carrom: A Fun and Challenging Board Game
Have you ever heard of carrom? If not, you are missing out on a great board game that is easy to learn but hard to master. Carrom is a game of skill, strategy, and luck that can be played by anyone, anywhere, anytime. It is a game that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world for centuries, and it is still going strong today. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about carrom, from its history and origin, to its equipment and setup, to its rules and scoring, to its tips and tricks, to its variations and modes, to its benefits and advantages. By the end of this article, you will be ready to play carrom like a pro!
carrom
History and Origin of Carrom
The exact origin of carrom is unknown, but it is widely believed that it originated in India sometime in the 18th century. Some say that it was invented by the Indian maharajas, while others say that it was adapted from a similar street game. Carrom is also said to be related to billiards and shuffleboard, as well as other board games like crokinole and novuss. Carrom became popular in the Indian subcontinent after the First World War, and soon spread to other parts of Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Today, carrom is played by people of all ages and backgrounds, and there are many clubs, tournaments, and competitions dedicated to the game. In fact, in 2016, two Indian players set a Guinness World Record for playing carrom for more than 34 hours straight!
Equipment and Setup of Carrom
The equipment needed for carrom is simple but elegant. You need a square wooden board with a smooth surface, four corner pockets, and a border frame. The standard size of the board is 74 cm by 74 cm (29 inches by 29 inches), but smaller or larger boards are also available. You also need 19 wooden or plastic coins (also called carrommen), which are divided into three colors: nine black coins, nine white coins, and one red coin (the queen). The coins are flat and round, with a diameter of about 3 cm (1.2 inches) and a thickness of about 0.5 cm (0.2 inches). You also need a striker, which is a heavier coin that is used to hit the other coins into the pockets. The striker is usually made of plastic or metal, with a diameter of about 4 cm (1.6 inches) and a thickness of about 0.7 cm (0.3 inches). Finally, you need some powder (usually boric acid or potato starch) to sprinkle on the board to reduce friction.
To set up the board for carrom, you need to place it on a flat surface (such as a table or a floor) with enough space around it for the players to sit comfortably. You also need to make sure that there is enough light for the players to see clearly. Then, you need to arrange the coins in the center of the board in a specific pattern. The queen (the red coin) is placed in the middle of the board, surrounded by six white coins and six black coins in an alternating order. The remaining three white coins and three black coins are placed on top of this circle in a triangular shape (see image below). The striker is The striker is placed on one of the four lines (called baselines) that are drawn on the board, parallel to the sides and about 15 cm (6 inches) away from them. The player can choose any baseline to place the striker, as long as it does not touch any coin or the frame. The player can also adjust the position of the striker along the baseline, as long as it does not cross the center point of the board. The setup of the board for carrom looks like this:
Rules and Scoring of Carrom
The rules of carrom are simple but vary depending on the region, the number of players, and the level of difficulty. The basic rules are as follows:
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The game is played by two or four players, either individually or in teams of two. The players sit opposite to each other on the sides of the board.
The game starts with a toss, where one player flicks the striker with a finger towards the center of the board. The player whose striker is closest to the center gets to play first. The player who plays first is called the breaker.
The breaker places the striker on any baseline and tries to hit one or more coins into the pockets. The player can hit any coin, but must hit a white coin first if playing with white coins, or a black coin first if playing with black coins. The player can also hit the queen (the red coin) at any time, but must pocket it before pocketing the last coin of their color.
If the player pockets one or more coins of their color, they get another turn. If they pocket one or more coins of their opponent's color, they lose their turn and return those coins to the board. If they pocket the queen and one or more coins of their color in the same turn, they cover the queen by placing one of their pocketed coins on top of it in the center of the board.
If the player fails to pocket any coin, or pockets only the striker, or pockets the striker along with any coin, or shoots out of turn, or commits any other foul, they lose their turn and forfeit one or more coins to their opponent. The forfeited coins are placed by the opponent anywhere within the center circle on the board.
The game ends when one player or team pockets all their coins and covers the queen (if not already covered). The winner gets one point for each coin of their color left on the board by their opponent, plus three points if they covered the queen. If both players or teams finish with equal points, or if neither player or team covers the queen, the game is a draw.
Tips and Tricks to Master Carrom
Carrom is a game that requires skill, strategy, and luck. To improve your game, you need to practice regularly and learn from your mistakes. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you master carrom:
Choose a good quality board and striker that suit your style and preference. Make sure that the board is smooth and level, and that the striker is comfortable and balanced.
Use powder sparingly and evenly on the board to reduce friction and increase speed. Too much powder can make the board slippery and unpredictable.
Hold the striker firmly between your thumb and index finger, and flick it with a smooth and swift motion. Avoid jerky or shaky movements that can affect your accuracy and power.
Aim for the center of mass of the coin you want to hit, and adjust your angle and force according to the distance and direction. Use your other hand to support your shooting hand and align your sight.
Use different types of shots depending on the situation. For example, use a straight shot for direct hits, a cut shot for angled hits, a rebound shot for bouncing off the frame or the coins, a drag shot for slowing down the striker, or a slam shot for hitting hard and fast.
Plan your moves ahead and think of the best way to pocket your coins and the queen. Try to avoid leaving easy shots for your opponent or blocking your own shots. Use defensive or offensive tactics depending on the score and the situation.
Practice different scenarios and challenges to improve your skills and confidence. For example, you can practice pocketing all the coins in a certain order, or pocketing the queen with a specific shot, or pocketing as many coins as possible in a limited time.
Watch and learn from other players, especially those who are better than you. Observ