Carrom

Carrom can be described as "finger pool": on a 29‑inch square wooden board, each player flicks a heavy disc (the striker) toward smaller wooden pieces called carrom‑men. The goal is to pocket all nine of your own pieces – black or white – and also capture the red queen, which awards extra points. A single round, known as a "board," ends when a player or team clears their pieces and the queen; points are then tallied and a new board begins. Play follows the International Carrom Federation's "Laws of Carrom," typically using powder to reduce board friction. A full game continues until a player reaches 25 points or eight boards have been completed. In addition to solo play, Carrom supports team formats of two or more players, turning it into a team‑based game that blends positioning strategy with physical skill. Strategies range from blocking shots and banking off the edges to queen control and cover shots that prevent opponents from scoring. While the exact origin is murky – possible roots in India, Bangladesh, or even Egypt – the game spread throughout Southeast Asia, Europe and North America in the 20th century, carried by the Indian diaspora. Today Carrom appeals to both dexterity enthusiasts and those looking for a relaxed social experience, and can be played with or without cues, though the classic finger flick remains the norm.