Carrom is one of India’s oldest indoor skill-based games. It’s played across homes, clubs, and tournaments. The game is simple, but it needs focus and steady hands. Over time, it has grown beyond the wooden board. Now, you can even play it online. Zupee’s Carrom Ninja is a modern version built on the same carrom game rules. It keeps the spirit of the classic match but adds speed, timers, and easy digital controls.
This guide explains key carrom rules and how they work both on a real board and in digital play. You’ll also learn how modern formats like Carrom Ninja follow the same structure, just made for quick matches and easy access on any device.
If you like carrom, you’ll also enjoy playing free Ludo online on Zupee. Just download, play, and compete in fun matches.
Carrom Board Game Equipment & Setup Rules
Before you start playing, you need a proper setup. Every item on the board has a role. Here’s what you need:
- Carromboard – Made of plywood or other smooth wood. It should be at least 8mm thick for a steady surface.
- Carrommen – Small circular pieces used for striking. Nine white, nine black, and one red (the queen).
- Striker – A heavier disc used to hit the carrommen.
- Powder – Fine boric or similar powder spread on the board for smooth movement.
- Nets – Fixed at the four corners to collect pocketed pieces.
- Stand or Table – Used to hold the board at a comfortable height for players.
- Stool or Chair – Players sit on these while playing to maintain balance and control.
In Carrom Ninja, all these items are digital. The board, coins, and striker are built into the game screen, giving the same setup experience without any physical equipment.
Objective and Basic Carrom Game Rules
The aim of the game is simple — pocket the coins and score more points than your opponent. It’s played on a square board with four corner pockets. Each player uses a striker to hit the coins and send them into the pockets.
Official IFC Rules
The International Carrom Federation (ICF) defines the standard carrom board rules for professional play.
- The board starts with nine white and nine black coins, along with one red coin called the queen.
- Players sit opposite each other.
- The first turn, known as the break, decides who pockets first.
- Coins must be struck cleanly using the striker, which must stay within the baseline.
- The goal is to pocket all your assigned coins and then cover the queen to win.
- You can only strike forward; hitting backward isn’t allowed.
- If you pocket the striker, you lose one coin from your score, which is placed back on the board.
These carrom board game rules ensure every match is about control and precision.
Carrom Ninja Rules
In Carrom Ninja, the idea stays the same — pocket coins and score more. But the design is faster and built for digital play.
- Each match runs on timed turns.
- Both players get equal moves.
- The layout stays balanced, and the first break is automatic.
- Every strike matters; there are no extra turns.
- The winner is decided by who scores higher when the timer ends.
Both versions depend on skill and timing, but Carrom Ninja simplifies play for quick, fair matches on any device.
Carrom Rules to Start the Game
Every round begins with a fair break. The aim is to spread the coins and open the board for play. Both the official and digital versions follow set rules to keep the start balanced.
Official IFC Rules to Break
- The player who wins the toss decides whether to strike first.
- The break is made with the striker placed on the baseline.
- The striker must touch both base circles before taking the shot.
- The red coin (queen) stays at the center during setup.
- A valid break means at least one coin crosses the center circle.
- If no coin moves out of the circle, the opponent gets the next turn.
- Pocketing the striker during the break counts as a foul, and the turn ends.
These carrom board rules help make sure each game begins fairly, giving no one an early edge.
Carrom Ninja Rules
Carrom Ninja changes this idea while keeping the game focused on skill. There’s no separate queen. Instead, each coin has a number value. The top-value coins work like key scoring targets. A 3× multiplier round replaces the queen’s role in boosting scores. Coins pocketed in that round give triple points.
On Zupee’s online game app, these steps happen automatically. The digital setup keeps play fast and fair while still rewarding focus and accuracy.
Scoring Rules to Follow
Scoring decides the winner. Each point comes from the coins you pocket. The player with the higher total at the end wins the round.
Official IFC Rules
- Each white or black coin gives one point.
- The queen adds three extra points, but only if it’s covered.
- If the queen is pocketed and not covered, those points are lost.
- The first player to reach 29 points wins the game.
- In tournaments, a set can include multiple boards, and the total score decides the winner.
- Pocketing the striker leads to a one-point penalty, and one coin is placed back on the board.
Carrom Ninja Rules
Carrom Ninja changes how points are earned but keeps the focus on skill.
- There are 19 coins numbered from 1 to 19.
- Each coin’s number equals its score.
- A 3× multiplier round appears once per match. Coins pocketed then count for triple points.
- There are no fouls or penalties.
- Every player gets eight turns to score as much as possible.
- The player with the higher total after all moves wins.
Final Thoughts on Carrom Game Rules
Carrom brings skill, focus, and calm play together. The same carrom game rules apply whether you use a wooden board or play in digital form. Zupee’s Carrom Ninja follows the same structure — quick turns, smooth control, and fair scoring.
It’s easy to start, and you can practice anytime. The setup stays simple, and every move depends on aim and timing.
On Zupee, you can also play other free games like Ludo, Snakes & Ladders, and Trump Cards. Each game keeps the same focus on skill and balance.