Carrom Board Set: Blending Style & Play in Modern Interiors

The classic game reimagined for today's homes

Open up any Indian house and you will see a set of Carrom placed in any corner with laughter coming in from each corner, the stories and the hours of fun engraved on its grooves. However, something unique is taking place: The carrom is not a throw-back game anymore. It's a statement, a conversation starter, and a beautiful reminder that the best entertainment doesn't need a screen!

From selecting the best carrom board set for your living room to decorating it as a contemporary interior art, here's all you need to know about carrom. Read on to find your perfect set.

Why Carrom Is Making a Comeback

Tactile games are back and front and centre in today's screen weary world. The above is exactly what a fantastic carrom board set provides — there's no need for Wi-Fi, no steep learning curve for novices and ample strategy to keep expert players ravishing.

The carrom board is now being used as a lifestyle item in cafes, boutique hotels and design-forward homes. To find out more about this worldwide trend, check out the article in BBC Culture on the rise of traditional games in contemporary homes.

It's board games come back with a vengeance, and carrom playing is leading the way. That's because it combines skill, strategy and social interaction in a form that is enjoyable for all ages. Carrom is a game that requires presence, finesse and a bit of friendly competition unlike entertainment on the screen.

The right set of carrom board can also bring warmth and character to a room. Lacquered wood boards fit into minimalist, Scandinavian and mid-century modern interior design styles. Carrom is no longer a game but is a real alternative to home decor.

Choosing the Best Carrom Board Set for Your Home

The key is to balance quality, size and value when choosing a carrom board. Here are some of the top features to consider when buying the best carrom board for your home:

• Surface smoothness: A good quality playing surface makes carrom discs roll easily. Check for boards that are laminated or lacquered.

• Quality of frame: Solid hardwood frames are less prone to warping and add to the beauty of the frame.

• Carrom coins do not bounce out of the play area with tight and durable nets (Pocket netting).

• A good carrom board set comprises carrom coins, a carrom board striker and a boric powder pouch.

Explore the complete collection of carrom board sets at Argmac — quality and design in every set.

Carrom Board Size & Dimensions: Standard vs Big

Carrom board size varies depending on the level of play, and space is available. Knowing the size of Carrom Board aids you in selecting the best match:

 For those who enjoy more room to play, a large carrom board can be useful for offering more playing space, allowing for more advanced strategies and accuracy in shots. For majority of households, a standard set of carrom boards is fine, but for a dedicated carrom room or competing, a large carrom board is worth it.

Official carrom board size for tournament play is as per the official Rulebook of Carrom Federation of India's official rulebook.

Why a Carrom Board Stand Matters

This is one of the most underutilized carrom board accessories to any carrom board set that is often overlooked. Players are frequently left with neck strain, uneven angles and an overall poor experience simply by propping up the board on a dining table or the floor. The dedicated stand solves all this.

Characteristics of an excellent carrom board are:

• Changes the height of the playing surface to an appropriate level (usually 60-75 cm above the floor).

• Ensures that the board is kept level — which is essential for distribution of coins evenly and smooth movement of the carrom board striker.

• Preserves the board surface while being stored.

• Modern folding stands reduce to a flat space and fit easily under a sofa or bed.

To get inspired, check out Argmac's full gaming table collection— which are beautifully designed stands that can also serve as pieces in the living room.

Essential Accessories: Coins, Striker & Powder

A carrom board set is like a carrom board without any accessories. Let's take a quick look at what you should pack:

Carrom Coins (Carrom Discs):

The standard carrom board set consists of 9 black coins, 9 white carrom coins and 1 red queen. Smooth and dense plastic or wood composites are used to make good quality carrom discs. Use coins that are:

• Equal in weight and thickness (usually is 3 mm thick, 3.02-3.18 cm in diameter).

• Smooth edged — rough edges will catch in the edge of the board.

• Colour-fast — Poor quality carrom coins will lose their colour with repeated use.

Carrom Board Striker:

 The carrom board striker is the piece you flick in order to grab the coins. A carrom board striker should be heavier than the coins themselves, which helps promote a well-balanced play.

Boric Powder (Boric Acid):

Borics powder is placed on the surface of the board to avoid friction and make coins roll smoothly. Lack of powder causes coins to drag and slow down. Always use food grade or cosmetic grade of boric powder for safety.

Choosing the Right Carrom Board Striker

The carrom board striker is the most individual piece of gear in the game — it is the only piece that you use directly. Acrylic, resin and ivory finish plastic strikers are available.

When buying a carrom board striker, you should keep the following in mind:

• Size: must be bigger than the coins and fit into the two base lines. The diameter of standard strikers ranges from 4.13–4.45 cm.

• Heavier strikers strike harder, but are more difficult to control. The lighter the strikers, the more precise the strike. Most competitive players will opt for 15–16gms.

• Material: Acrylic strikers are appropriate for a recreational use. Carrom is played in a competitive fashion with resin strikers for consistent weight.

• Surface: Polished underside helps in minimizing the drag and direction of each flick.

Casual players don't mind the built-in striker in their carrom board set. But serious gamers invest their money in a personal striker — similar to a pool player picking out his/her own cue stick. Try various weights and sizes to see what works best for you when flicking.

How to Play Carrom: Basic Rules

Not sure how to play carrom? The rules are easy to understand in minutes, but difficult to master over years:

• Objective: All 9 coins of your colour – black or white – are then to be pocketed, and before you opponent has pocketed your Red Queen (with a cover shot).

• Setup: Queen is placed in the middle of the circle, with alternating-coloured coins in the centre circle (19 coins).

• Turn order: Players alternate in trying to throw the striker from the baseline side. When flicking, use fingers and not shoving/pushing.

• Queen rule: You'll have to collect the queen and place her on top of one of your coins after the next shot. If it is not covered, the queen is returned to the centre.

• Fouls: any striker pocketed, coin knocked out, or shot out of turn is a penalty (one of your pocketed coins is replaced on the board).

• Winning: The first player / team to collect all their coins (once the queen has been covered) wins the board. Points are counted on a number of boards in a match.

It's easy to learn, complexities galore to learn — particularly the middle finger cut shot and break shots and thumb shots. To get a complete rulebook, please check out the official Carrom Federation of India page.

Carrom Board Set Ideas for Modern Interiors

 Carrom board set doesn't need to be stored in a cupboard between games. It can be used as a design element when strategically incorporated into the home. Here are some suggestions:

• Carrom board centrepiece: Position the Carrom board set in the living room on a stand and surround by a low sofa. Warm wood colours are beautifully harmonized with earthy interiors.

• Game room with an old-fashioned pendant light: A large carrom board with old fashioned pendant lightings makes a lounge style game corner.

• Open shelf display: Place the carrom discs and the carrom striker in a handmade wooden bowl up on an open shelf, it is both functional and decorative.

• Balcony/outdoor space: Weather-resistant boards are great on a covered balcony or to spruce up outdoor entertaining.

Shop the entire range of Argmac's full carrom and gaming collection and furniture to find the perfect fit for contemporary interiors.

How to Maintain Your Carrom Board

A well-maintained carrom board set will last you for a long time. Here are some of the basic guidelines:

• Regularly sprinkle with boric powder: Sprinkle on top and with the palm fill the room regularly.

• Store flat or upright: Do not leave the board in an upright position leaning for too long, as this will warp the board.

• Don't let moisture in: Moisture is another wood board's enemy. Keep out of the way of moisture and cover with cloth when not in use.

• Gently clean: use a soft dry cloth on the playing surface. Avoid using wet clothes or chemical cleaners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard carrom board size?

The standard size of a carrom board is around 74 x 74 cm or 29 x 29 inches. The Tournament or large carrom boards are approximately 82 x 82 cm.

How many carrom coins come in a standard set?

There are 9 black, 9 white and 1 red queen coin (also known as the queen) and 1 striker in a standard set of carrom.

What makes a good carrom board?

An excellent carrom board must be smooth and frictionless, have a hardwood frame, be properly netted and the circles marked well. For the longer-lasting flatness, premium boards feature the use of laminated plywood.

Do I need a carrom board stand?

A carrom board stand is not compulsory, but is highly recommended as it adds to the stability and comfort for playing. It also safeguards your furniture and helps to prolong the life of the board.

Conclusion

Carrom is not just a game; it's a tradition that unites people, sharpens the mind and infuses a true homely feeling to any house. Whether you're playing for the league champion, looking for a perfect gift for a family member, or needing a beautiful centrepiece for your game room, the ideal carrom board set can make any gathering a memorable experience.

Buy good quality carrom discs, get a good balance carrom board striker and select the size based on the available space. Then carefully set it up — and the game can begin.

Looking for the ideal carrom board set? Shop the full collection at Argmac to walk away with a piece of tradition – and a modern finish.