Carrom

Finger pool on a wooden board: flick the striker and sink your nine pieces plus the red Queen in the corner pockets.

Designer: (Uncredited)
Published by: (Public Domain)
Editions by: (Unknown), Queen Games, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten, Mitra, Funskool Games, ABRA, IKEA, Philos, Pin International, Carrom Art, Carrom Company, Mespi, Olympic

Imagine finger pool on a wooden board about 29 inches square. You flick a heavy striker disc at smaller wooden discs, the carrom-men, and try to sink them in the four corner pockets. Each side owns nine pieces, black or white, and there is a single red Queen to fight over. The first player or team to clear their pieces wins the round, which is called a board, and a game runs to 25 points or eight boards. Many people play with powder on the surface so the discs glide. Carrom cousins include pool and Crokinole, yet it holds its own with angles, touch and a surprising amount of tactics. It is an old game with no known single origin.

Flick a heavy striker instead of using a cueNine pieces each plus one red QueenPlay to 25 points or eight boards

Who it's for

You enjoy dexterity games like Crokinole or pool and want something where practice shows. It works for two players or as a two-versus-two.

Not for you if…

You want a game with a deep strategic backbone or a theme. Carrom is about touch, and the board takes real table space.

Vibe's take

Tactile and precise. Every shot is a small act of finger control, the discs click across a dusted surface, and you can feel a bad angle in your wrist before the disc even stops.