Carrom is played on a square board with corner pockets. Two players (or two doubles teams) flick a striker to pocket their coins. This guide covers how tournament matches are scored and what to expect at the table. Club and federation rules may add local details; always follow the referee and your event bulletin.
The aim of a match
Each side has nine coins of one color plus a shared queen (red). In tournament play the first side to reach 25 points wins the match.
A match is made up of individual boards. On each board, one player scores coins; running totals build toward 25.
Scoring a board
On each board, only one player receives coins (0 to 9 on that board). The queen holder for that board is also recorded.
Queen bonus (+3)
When a player pockets coins and holds the queen on the same board, they receive 3 bonus points added to their coin count for that board, unless their match total is already 22 or higher. Above that threshold the queen bonus no longer applies in most tournament rules.
Examples on a single board (match total below 22):
- 3 coins with queen = 6 board points (3 + 3 bonus)
- 5 coins with queen = 8 board points
- Queen only, no coins = see below
Queen-only board
If neither player pockets a coin but the queen was properly covered or assigned for that board, the queen holder may receive 3 points, again only if their match total is below 22.
Match end
Board points add to each player's match total. The match ends when either side reaches 25.
At the table
- The striker must be flicked legally; fouls may forfeit the turn or award penalties per local rules.
- Pocketing the striker, the wrong coin, or the queen without proper cover may be fouls depending on your federation.
- First strike (who breaks) alternates by board or by match according to event rules.
- In doubles, partners share one color; seating and communication follow your event format.
Byes and walkovers
These are event outcomes, not board rules:
- Bye (13-0): No opponent that round; common when a group has an odd number of players.
- Walkover (25-0): Scheduled opponent did not show.
See Swiss Round Robin for how these affect standings.
Knockout series
In knockout phases, a tie may be a best-of series (for example 2 of 3 sets). Each set is played to 25 like a full match. See Knockouts.