Carrom Facts for Kids

Children playing carrom in Yemen

Carrom is a fun tabletop game that's a bit like billiards or table shuffleboard. People play it by flicking disks across a smooth board. It's known by many names around the world, like carrum, couronne, karam, and finger billiards.

This game likely started in India or Sri Lanka. For a long time, people played it without official rules. But in 1988, formal rules were finally written down. Today, Carrom is played in many countries for fun and as a serious competitive sport. The International Carrom Federation helps organize these competitions. Carrom is popular because it uses simple equipment, making it easy for many people to enjoy. There's even a version where players use cue sticks, just like in billiards!

What is Carrom?
- How to Play Carrom
- The Equipment
History of Carrom
Carrom as a Sport
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What is Carrom?

Carrom is a game played on a square wooden board. The goal is to use a larger, heavier disk called a "striker" to hit smaller disks called "carrom-men" into pockets at the corners of the board. It's a game that needs skill and strategy.

How to Play Carrom

Carrom can be played by two players or two teams of two players each. The game starts with the carrom-men arranged in the center of the board. Players take turns flicking the striker with their fingers. The aim is to pocket all your carrom-men before your opponent does.

There are different types of carrom-men:

White and Black: Each player or team tries to pocket their own color.
The Queen: This is a special red disk. To win the queen, a player must pocket it and then immediately pocket one of their own carrom-men in the same turn. If they don't, the queen is returned to the center of the board.

The game ends when one player or team has pocketed all their carrom-men and the queen (if it was still on the board). The time it takes to play a game can vary, but it's always a good brain game!

The Equipment

The main equipment for Carrom includes:

Carrom Board: A smooth, square wooden board with pockets in each corner.
Striker: A larger, heavier disk used to hit the carrom-men.
Carrom-men: Smaller, lighter disks, usually in black and white, plus one red "queen."
Powder: A special powder is often sprinkled on the board to make the disks slide more easily.

History of Carrom

Carrom has been played for a very long time in South Asia. It started as a casual game played in homes and communities. Over the years, its popularity grew, and it spread to other parts of the world.

The game's rules were mostly passed down by word of mouth for many years. However, as Carrom became more popular and competitive, there was a need for official rules. In 1988, the International Carrom Federation was formed. This organization helped create and standardize the rules that are used in official tournaments today. This made it possible for Carrom to become a recognized sport played globally.

Carrom as a Sport

Carrom is not just a fun pastime; it's also a serious sport. The International Carrom Federation (ICF) is the main organization that promotes and develops Carrom around the world. They organize international tournaments, like the Carrom World Cup and the Carrom Asia Cup. Players from many different countries compete in these events, showing off their amazing skills and precision.

Playing Carrom helps improve hand-eye coordination, focus, and strategic thinking. It's a game that combines physics, geometry, and a steady hand!