Improve your game
Guides, tips, and guidelines to help you elevate your skills and play like a professional.
1. Basic Grip and Flicking Techniques
How you hold and release the striker is key to accuracy and power:
- Index Finger Flick: Place your hand flat on the board, support the flicking finger with your thumb, and release cleanly. Excellent for straight shots.
- Middle Finger Flick: Provides higher power. Keep your wrist locked and use the spring action from your thumb.
- Scissor Grip: Common in international play. Hold the striker between your index and middle fingers, releasing with a snap of the wrist.
2. Board & Striker Preparation
- Powder Application: Use high-grade boric acid or specialized carrom powder. Spread a light, uniform layer. Too much powder slows down the board and creates bumps.
- Striker Maintenance: Keep your striker clean and free of grease. Rub the bottom surface on a clean dry cloth before every match.
3. Core Rules of Play
- Queen Rules: The Queen can be pocketed at any time after pocketing your first piece, but must be confirmed by pocketing another of your own pieces immediately afterward.
- Striker Placement: The striker must be placed touching both baseline circles or lines, and cannot cross the diagonal lines.
- Fouls: Pocketing the striker, pushing instead of flicking, or pocketing an opponent's piece results in a one-piece penalty.