WEST BENGAL CARROM ASSOCIATION

RULE BOOK

26 PURBACHAL SCHOOL ROAD

KOLKATA – 700 078

PHONE : 9831057254, 7003183474,

9831072870, 9231270598
 INTRODUCTION
The game of CARROM was in vogue in Bengal from
the 17th century, but there is no written evidence
found about it. Initially, carom was being played by
using powder or fine French chalk. Thereafter, a
person named Gopal Dutta residing somewhere
near Amherst Street introduced the pockets as
unrepulsive.

The size of the CARROM BOARD was initially of 34’’

and subsequently changed to 36’’ for maneuvering
19 men and striker smoothly on the BOARD during
the time of Rakha Babu. Other basic rules and
playing codes were improvised by legends like Netai
Mullick, Sasadhar Ghosh and Ananta Pal from time
to time to it’s present form.

Hony. Secretary

( WEST BENGAL CARROM ASSOCIATION )

 INTERPRETATION
1) C/B - Shall mean CARROM BOARD
2) C/M - Shall mean CARROM MAN
3) C/Ms - Shall mean CARROM MEN
4) Queen - Shall mean Red CARROM MAN
5) Umpire - Shall mean an appointed person
to supervise and to conduct the match.
6) Turn - Shall mean the right to strike
7) Finish - Shall mean the completion of
the board
8) Placing - Shall mean keeping the due or
penalty C/M in the master circle either by
umpire or by the player permitted to do so
9) Due - Shall mean when fine is not
available
10) Pocketing- Shall mean putting the C/M
and / or Queen into the pocket
11) Proper - Shall mean in accordance with
the Rule Book
12) Improper- Shall mean contrary to the
Rule Book
13) Umpire’s fine- Shall mean penalty for
infringement or violation of Rule Book
14) Fine - Shall mean pocketing the striker
during play
15) Opponent- Shall mean the player not
presently having the turn to play ( against
team )
16) Imaginary Line- Shall mean lines that are
in extension to the arrow crossing the
joints of base lines outside the carom
board diagonally
17) Stroke - Shall mean hitting the C/M by
striker directly or indirectly
West Bengal Carrom Association
26 PURBACHAL SCHOOL ROAD
KOLKATA – 700 078

LAWS OF CARROM
The laws shall be known as ‘’ The laws of
Carrom’’ as adopted by West Bengal Carrom
Association.
1. Carrom Board
a) Board - The playing surface of the C/B
shall be of best quality, plywood and be of
not less than 8 mm in thickness and of
35.5-36 inches ( 90.23 – 91.5 cm ) square
with its surface completely smooth. A C/B
shall be able to have at least 5 to 7 times
run of a normally smooth striker when
struck with maximum possible force from
one of the base line to the opposite frame
of the C/B.
b) Frame - Adjoining the playing surface of
the C/B there shall be wooden frame of
maximum 3/4 inches ( 1.90 cm ) high from
the playing surface. The breadth of the
frame shall not be more than 4 inches
 (10.20 cm ) and not less than 3 inches
(7.60 cm ). The thickness of the frame shall
be between 1.5 inches (3.81 cm ) and 2
inches ( 5.10 cm ). The height of the C/B
from the floor shall be 6 inches ( 15.20 cm)
maximum.
c) Pockets -The pockets of the four corners
of the C/B shall be in shape of quarter
circle inwardly and be of 2 and 1/8 inches
to 2 and 1/4 inches ( 5.42 to 5.74 cm )
radius. The piece of frame adjoining the
corner shall be cut in such a way that no
C/M may refuse out even if struck with the
maximum force.
d) Base Line- Two straight line equally
distributed on all sides shall be drawn on
each of the four sides of the playing
surface parallel to the frame on each side.
The lower of these two lines shall be 4.5
inches ( 11.47 cm ) away from the frame
wall and upper one 1 inch ( 2.45 cm ) away
from the lower base line with a gap of 1/8
inch ( 0.32 cm ) known as ‘ beneficial line ‘.
At the time of stroke the striker must
 touch the upper baser line and one of the
lower base line i.e beneficial line.
e) Arrow - Four arrows shall be drawn at
each juncture of the base lines at an angle
of 45 degree pointing towards centre of
the pocket.
f) Circles
i) Centre Circle- Exactly in the centre of
C/B there shall be a circle of 1 and
1/4th inches ( 3.18 cm ) in diameter
drawn red in colour. It shall be called
CENTRE CIRCLE.
ii) Master Circle- There will be circle
known as MASTER CIRCLE with the
radius of 3 and 5/16 inches ( 8.60 cm )
from the master point ( centre point
of the board ). The diameter of the
Master Circle shall be 6 and 10/16
inches ( 16.80 cm ).
iii) Marginal Circle- There shall be two
Marginal Circles drawn inside and
outside of the Master Circle for the
variation of the diameter of the C/Ms.
The gap between the Master Circle
 and the Marginal Circle shall be 1/8
inch ( 0.32 cm ) inwardly or outwardly.
iv) Beautification Circle- There may be
one circle nearest to the Centre Circle
and other two in between the Master
Circle and the Centre Circle.
2. Carrom Men
The Carrom Men used for play shall be
made of good quality wood and circular in
shape. The diameter of the C/M shall be
from 1 & 1/4 inches ( 31 mm ) to 1& 1
inches ( 32 & 1/2 mm ). It shall not less
than 3/16 inches ( 0.50 cm ) thick and not
less than 4.375 grams ( 6 annas ) and not
more than 4.750 grams ( 6.5 annas ) in
weight. There shall be nine white C/Ms
and nine black C/Ms and one red ( called
queen ) C/M and they should be as far as
possible uniform. The C/Ms shall have
smooth movement on the surface of the
C/B when struck by a smooth striker.
If a C/M breaks into two pieces during the
play, the larger part’s position will prevail
.
3. Striker
The striker shall be smooth and round with
a diameter of not more than 1 and 11/16
inches ( 4.30 cm ) and weighting not more
than 13 grams (no relaxation in respect of
weight shall be allowed). Striker made of
ebonite, ivory, plastic or any chemical
composition may be used. Any metal
substance fixed on stroke in any part of a
striker shall now be allowed for playing. .
4. Nets
The pockets shall be fully covered from
beneath by nets fixed suitable at the
bottom of the C/B.
5. Light and Shade
The shades shall be hung at a convenient
height above the centre position of the
C/B so that the light shall fall evenly on the
C/B including the frames. The bulb used
shall be of not more than 60 watts or if it is
LED bulb not more than 14 watts. The
height should be so decided that the naked
light does not strike the eyes of the
players.
6. Toss
There shall be a toss by the Umpire by spin
of a coin before the match. In singles the
player wining the toss shall have the
choice of side or option to strike first.
In doubles the toss will be twice. The first
toss will decide the opening hit or choice
of side and the second toss will decide the
sitting order of the players, which will
remain same throughout the match. Those
who will loose the second toss will sit first
and then the winners of the second toss
shall seat as per their will.
7. Break
i) Break shall be taken by the player who
has chosen to strike first.
ii) The player who is to break shall have
the white C/M, during the board and
the black to his opponent. The queen
shall be the common coin.
Anyone/team when lawfully pockets
the QUEEN, that will remain with
 his/her /team for that particular
board.
iii) The break shall be considered to have
been made if the strike touches the
C/M in the circle.
iv) A player can not break without the
permission of the Umpire. If such
infringement occurs, the player will be
allowed for a re-break only once in a
round after which all 14 points
(including queen value) will be
accounted in favour of the opponent
each time of such infringement/
match.
8. Sitting position of players
i) In singles the player shall sit opposite
to each other.
ii) In doubles, four persons comprising
two teams, the partners shall sit
opposite each other.
iii) Turn of play will rotate anticlockwise.
9. Change of Side
i) In singles game the players shall
interchange their sides after
completion of each game.
ii) In doubles game the players shall
occupy the side of his right hand
opponent without changing the sitting
order, after completion of each game.
10. Score
i) A game shall be of 29 points and the
player/s who reaches 29 points first
will be the winner of the game.
ii) The number/s of C/M of the opponent
on the C/B (after pocketing all his C/M
with or without queen) shall be the
points gained by the player. If the
player has scored the QUEEN also he
shall get an additional 5 points
provided his score in 23 or less.
11. Fine ,Dues & QUEEN
i) If in a stroke, a player pockets his
striker alone, his turn shall be lost a
C/M shall be taken out from the
pocket for placing it within the Master
 Circle by the opponent. If it happens
before any C/M is pocketed, the due
shall remain outstanding and shall be
taken out soon after the availability of
C/M.
ii) If in a stroke, a player pockets the
striker together with his own C/M, the
C/M so pocketed plus one C/M shall
be taken out for placing side by side or
separately by the opponent and player
shall continue his turn. If more than
one C/M is pocketed together with
the striker, only one C/M pocketed
plus one C/M as fine shall be taken
out. The double fine shall be placed
both at a time.
iii) If a player pockets the striker together
with the C/M of his opponent, a single
fine shall be collected and placed in
the master circle by the opponent
immediately. The player shall loose his
turn.
iv) In case a single or double fine (i.e 2
C/Ms of his own) remains due and the
 opponent finishes the board, the
fine/s due shall be added with the
board points provided the board point
does not exceed 9 points.
v) In doubles game the fine shall always
be placed within the Master Circles by
the opponent sitting on his right hand
side.
vi) The time limits for placing 20 seconds
with a warning of 5 seconds. After 25
seconds is over, all the remaining
board points shall be accounted in
favour of the opponent/s. It is the
duty of the Umpire to ask whether the
player has completed his fine placing.
vii) If the player pockets his striker along
with one C/M or two C/Ms, double
circumstances Umpire’s fine shall be
levied fine will be given and the
double fine will be placed at a time in
the circle by the opponent during the
turn of the party who has made the
double fine. The player will continue.
 All fine/s shall remain due till it is
available.
viii) In the case of double fine with QUEEN,
the QUEEN with one of his own C/M
as fine shall come out. The QUEEN will
be placed by the umpire in the centre
of nearest to it and the fine shall be
placed by the opponent. The player
will continue. In case of double fine
with QUEEN and no fine available, the
QUEEN shall come out and be placed
by the umpire and the fine shall
remain due till available. The player
will continue. If double fine is made
with QUEEN and other C/M, the
QUEEN and one C/M as fine shall
come out.
ix) QUEEN shall not be allowed at
pocketed during break or hit, under
any circumstances. If it goes into
pocket during the break it shall come
out and placed in the centre of the
board by the Umpire.
12. Umpire’s Fine
Under the following circumstances
Umpire’s fine shall be livable. All Umpire’s
fine shall be placed on or nearest to the
centre by the Umpire in such a manner so
that the offending player does get no
advantage out of it, or disadvantage to the
opponent.
i) If the stroke is made touching the
single line.
ii) If the stroke is made touching the
arrow by the striker.
iii) If the elbow or shoulder comes inside
the playing surface and or any part of
the body, except the playing hand
(upto wrist only ) crosses the
imaginary line of the arrow, at the
time of stroke.
iv) If a player places the striker on the
frame, after one warning during the
match.
v) If any part of the body rests on the
C/B during his turn of play except his
playing hand.
vi) If a player during the strike displaced/
touches any C/M on the C/B (The
displaced C/M shall be placed back to
its original place by the umpire
provided they did not collide with any
other C/M).
If any moving coin touches the hand
without colliding with other C/M, it
will be placed on or nearest to the
centre by the Umpire
vii) If the moving or vibrating striker is
touched/ stopped or lifted by the
player. If in the opinion of the Umpire
the moving striker would have gone
into the pocket, an additional fine
shall be collected.
viii) If the QUEEN or his own C/M or C/Ms
is/are pocketed by infringement is
made after pocketing the QUEEN, his
own C/M or C/Ms, then only one
Umpire’s Fine shall be collected. The
player will continue.
Annexure 12
a) QUEEN shall be always placed on or
nearest to the centre by the Umpire.
b) Normally all Umpire’s Fine are to be placed
on or nearest to the centre. But if the
Umpire thinks that the player may get
advantage for placing the fine or it will
disturb the opponent’s C/M he may not
place the fine at that moment and wait for
proper time, only in the case when the
infringement is made after pocketing the
QUEEN, his C/M or C/Ms.
c) Under no circumstances more than 3
(three) fines can be drawn out (provided
there was no dues earlier).
d) If more than one C/M is removed without
striking the whole board point will be
gifted to the opponent of the offender.
13. Common Rules
i) Time limits- A player shall not take
more than 25 seconds for making a
stroke from the movement of the C/M
and or the QUEEN/ the striker has
come to rest and or after placing the
 C/M or QUEEN. However, a warning of
10 seconds will be given by the
Umpire. In case the player fails to
strike within 35 seconds, his turn will
be lost. If this happen 3 times during
a board, the board points will be
accounted in favour of the opponent.
ii) If a player deliberately does not touch
any C/M, he has to touch in the next
turn, otherwise he will loose the
board point/s. In a double game, if
one player does not touch any C/M by
the striker, his partner must touch any
C/M by the striker on his turn. Else
they are loose the board point/s.
iii) Change of Striker- The change of
striker shall be allowed once only
during a match duly approved by the
Umpire as soon as the particular game
is completed. If the changed striker
also is considered unserviceable in any
reason, he may be permitted to use
his original striker only. Anyway, in
case of any striker being found
 unserviceable during any game the
Umpire, if deems fit, may permit the
player to change his striker for only
once during the match. Ultimately the
Umpire may ( or may not ) give
permission for change of striker twice
in a match- first the original replaced
by a substitute and if the substitute is
unplayable, that be replaced by the
original. Hence, only 2 ( two ) striker
will be acceptable from any single
player. Any player using one striker
must deposit the other to the Umpire
during play.
iv) The allotted C/Ms can be changed in
case the Umpire declares it
unplayable. Otherwise the players
have to play with allotted C/Ms.
v) If a player pockets his opponents C/M
only, he will loose his turn
automatically.
vi) The Umpire may assist a player to
remove his striker from the board,
 only if the same is out of the reach of
the player.
vii) Uses of powder, chalk, dry lime, ash,
dust, cream, Vaseline etc on the board
are strictly prohibited. If found doing
so, after a warning the whole board
point will be awarded to the
offender’s opponent for the same job
done for second time.
viii) In case the QUEEN is not on the board
and the player pockets his striker with
his last C/M or C/Ms along with the
last C/M of the opponent, the board
shall be considered as finished.
ix) In case C/M jumps out of the playing
surface of the C/B the same will be
placed on or nearest to the centre by
the Umpire. Any C/M going out of the
C/B or resting on the beat, it will be
declared as jump. But any C/M goes
into the pocket rolling on the beat
shall be consider as pocket. If any C/M
stuck / touches the lamp shade shall
also be treated as jump.
x) Both hands can be used during play.
xi) The player may ask for any
clarification of laws of the game or
points in his turn only.
xii) In case of any C/M being lost or found
unfit for play in the opinion of the
Umpire, that C/M shall be replaced in
course of play by the Umpire and shall
be placed to its original place as far as
practical.
xiii) While taking the strike if the striker
jumps or remains untouched by the
C/M, the turn of the player shall be
considered as lost. This will not be
applicable at/before start of a board
i.e at/before breaking.
xiv) The Umpire shall not help or guide any
player for placing the fine/s.
xv) If a C/M resting perilously at the
mouth of a pocket is actually tingling
and falls into the pocket due to any
reason it is not be considered as duly
pocketed, till it touched by striker or
other C/M during play.
xvi) If C/M or QUEEN stands on its rim, it
shall be allowed to remain as it is.
xvii) If two C/Ms and or QUEEN overlap
each other they shall be left
undisturbed.
xviii) If the C/M and/or QUEEN rest on the
striker, the striker is to be removed by
lifting the C/M and/or QUEEN
replacing it as far as possible by the
Umpire in the position where it would
rest, if the striker was not there.
xix) A player can move right or left during
play but any part of his body should
not cross the imaginary line of arrow
of two sides. A player’s head can only
cross the inner frame of the board
while playing.
xx) While taking a stroke, the position of
the hand by which the stroke is made
up-to wrist only, may touch the
playing surface.
xxi) No smoking/ any kind of chewing or
alcohol is allowed during the match in
the playing zone.
xxii) If anyone pockets any C/M ( including
QUEEN ) lawfully and after pocketing
any other C/M or striker touches his
hand – In that case only one Umpire’s
Fine will be collected. But, if in the
opinion of the Umpire the touched
striker would have gone to the pocket,
the C/M or QUEEN pocketed plus one
Umpire’s Fine will be collected ( In
such case players/ others opinion will
not be granted, only Umpires decision
should stand final ).
xxiii) If the QUEEN is pocketed taking any
sort of advantage the QUEEN plus one
Umpire’s Fine will be collected.
xxiv) When a player finishes his turn ( not
finishes the board ) his right hand side
( in doubles ) will strike and his
opposite player ( in singles ) will strike.
14. Loss of Turn
i) If the Umpire thinks that a player has
deliberately made an infringement or
used unfair means, the Umpire may in
 addition to his fine can also terminate
his turn.
ii) In doubles game the partners are
forbidden to talk, direct, insinuate
(any indirect hint by gesture ) or
suggest during play. Any violation in
this regards shall result into a
Umpire’s fine and termination of turn
of the player.
15. Loss of Match
A player shall be liable to loss the entire
match for any act of indiscipline and/or
break of any of the laws, if he:
i) Uses unparliamentarily, slang, filthy,
communal and/or threatening/
frightening languages while playing
match or inside the playing arena to
anybody ( i.e. to any player, any
spectator, any official, Umpire or
anyone else).
ii) Leaves the seat during the game
without the permission of the Umpire.
iii) Fails to abide by the time limit given
for the commencement of the game.
iv) Refuses to abide by the decision of the
Umpire.
v) Passes insulting remarks against the
Umpire and/or authorities before or
during the match.
vi) Discontinues the game during the
course of the match.
vii) Disturbs or distracts the attention of
the opponent while at play more than
once. At the first instance the
offender shall get a warning, which
will be treated as first and last/ final
warning.
viii) If a player is found under the influence
of intoxicating drinks, drugs and or
smells alcohol.
ix) None can pass any substance to any
player during the game. If found so his
match may be offered to his
opponent. If anything is urgently
required, a permission from the
officials must be taken. Additional
striker/s are to be kept with the
Umpire during the entire match. Even
 if anyone leaved the board
temporarily for any reason or other,
the used striker also shall have to be
deposited to the Umpire.
16. Rituals, General Rules & Warnings
i) If the Umpire thinks that any player/
spectator/ any other is disturbing in
play and/ or in conducting the play, he
may eject him from the playing zone,
just giving a warning.
ii) All the terms and conditions directly
related to the game of carom is
applicable only when the break is
done and ends at finish of that board.
iii) Any player shall/ can not for go a
registered tournament for attending
an un-registered tournament. If it
happens found, WBCA reserves the
right to suspend him with immediate
effect without showing any cause of
reference.
iv) Any player does not attend his playing
board within 10 minutes of the
Umpire taking the game to conduct,
 his match may be gifted to the
opponent.
v) Good/ Sober behavior, vocabularies
and respectfulness to others are
expected from all concerned ( i.e
Players, Umpires, Council Members,
Club officials, Spectators and all others
present).
vi) Any protest has to be made paying
protest fees only.

( WEST BENGAL CARROM ASSOCIATIION )

Price : Rs. 100/-