The Laws of Carrom
The official Laws of Carrom covering equipment, striking, the queen, fouls, penalties, scoring, and match play.
I. Standard Equipment
Standard equipment covers the carrom board, carrommen, striker, stand or table, stool or chair, powder, nets, and light.
The carrom board
- Playing surface
- Plywood or equally smooth wood, at least 8 mm thick, 73.50–74 cm square, completely smooth. The board must give a smooth 15 g striker at least three and a half runs from a base line to the opposite frame when struck with maximum force.
- Frames
- Rosewood or similar hardwood with curved inside corners, 1.90–2.54 cm high and 6.35–7.60 cm wide, braced underneath the playing surface.
- Pockets
- Four corner pockets, rounded inwardly, 4.45 cm in diameter (±0.15 cm).
- Base lines
- Two parallel black lines of 47 cm (±0.30 cm) on each side. The lower line (0.50–0.65 cm thick) sits 10.15 cm from the frame, the other 3.18 cm above it. Both ends are closed by 3.18 cm base circles with a 2.54 cm red centre.
- Arrows
- Four black arrows (max 0.15 cm thick), one at each corner at 45°, passing between the base circles and pointing at the pocket, ending 5.00 cm clear of its edge. Maximum length 26.70 cm.
- Centre circle
- 3.18 cm in diameter (±0.16 cm), drawn exactly at the centre and coloured red.
- Outer circle
- 17.00 cm in diameter (±0.30 cm) around the centre point. Decorative designs are permitted.
Everything else
| Equipment | Specification |
|---|---|
| Carrommen | Good-quality wood, circular, 3.02–3.18 cm in diameter, 0.70–0.90 cm thick, 5.25–5.50 g. Nine white, nine black and one red (the Queen), all uniform. |
| Striker | Smooth and round, max 4.13 cm in diameter and max 15 g. Any material except ivory and metal; no visible metal. Decent engraved designs are permitted. |
| Stand or table | 63–70 cm high. The board must sit level and firm — padding underneath is permitted. |
| Stool or chair | 40–50 cm high. Chairs must be armless. |
| Powder | High quality and dry, to keep the surface smooth. Spread evenly from pouches or containers. |
| Nets | Each pocket fully covered by a net beneath the board, holding at least 10 carrommen. |
| Light | Hung above the board with a snow-white-lined conical or square shade so light falls only on the board and frame. Transparent white bulb, 60–100 W. Height adjustable on request so no naked light strikes the players' eyes. |
II. Definitions
In these Laws, unless the context says otherwise, the terms below have the following meanings. Words implying singular include plural, and words implying masculine include feminine.
- Laws
- The Laws of Carrom.
- Proper / Improper
- In accordance with the Laws / contrary to the Laws.
- c/m
- Carromman / carrommen.
- Board
- From the commencement of a board, after the umpire calls 'Play', until its completion on pocketing of the last c/m of any player.
- Break
- The first stroke of a board.
- Finish
- The completion of the board.
- Player
- A carrom player.
- Placing
- Keeping the penalty and/or due c/m flat on the playing surface within the outer circle, by the player permitted to do so. The Queen and jumped c/m are always placed by the umpire in the centre circle.
- Pocketing
- Putting c/m and/or the Queen into a pocket by a proper or improper stroke.
- Push
- A jerk or sudden motion of the elbow of the playing hand, instead of striking the striker with the finger.
- Queen
- The red c/m.
- Due
- Pocketing the striker, with or without c/m and/or Queen, and/or any outstanding c/m against the player.
- Penalty
- Punishment for infringement or violation of the Laws.
- Covering
- Pocketing one of the player's own c/m in the same or immediately subsequent stroke, when or after the Queen is pocketed.
- Shot (pair / cannon)
- A pair: two c/m, or one c/m and the Queen, facing the general direction of a pocket with a space between them. A cannon: the same without any space between them.
- Thumbing
- Taking a stroke with the thumb.
- Turn
- The right to strike.
- Chief Referee
- The official appointed to administrate, supervise, control and decide all matters referred to them in the course of a match.
- Umpire
- The official appointed to supervise and/or control a match.
- Opponent
- In singles: the player not currently having the turn. In doubles: the player sitting to the left and/or right of the player having the turn.
- Hand
- The portion of the playing hand from the fingers up to the wrist.
- Finger
- The nail side of a finger up to the second joint.
- Imaginary lines
- The lines drawn in extension of the arrows between the base circles.
- Stroke
- Hitting the c/m by the striker, directly or indirectly.
- White slam
- Pocketing all nine white c/m and the Queen as per the Laws in the first turn of play — also called 'break to finish'.
- Black slam
- Pocketing all the remaining black c/m, with or without the Queen, as per the Laws in the first turn of play.
III. Sitting Position
In singles, the players shall sit opposite each other.
In doubles, the partners shall sit opposite each other, occupying all four sides.
The sitting position adopted before taking a turn may be changed at any time, provided the chair or stool is not lifted, moved and/or disturbed during the turn of play.
During the board, no part of a player's body except the playing arm shall touch the carrom board, stand or table on which it is placed.
Clothing, rings, bangles and/or a watch worn by a player are exempted during their turn of play, but they must not touch the playing surface.
Material to raise and/or adjust the height of the seat is permissible only after the completion of a board, and the raised seat shall not exceed 50 cm.
No part of the body except the hand of the player shall go beyond the imaginary lines of the arrows.
IV. How to Strike
The striker shall be struck and not pushed.
The stroke shall be made with the finger, with or without the support of other fingers.
Either hand may be used in play.
While making a stroke, the hand may touch the playing surface.
While making a stroke, the elbow of the playing hand shall not come within the playing surface, nor extend beyond the imaginary lines of the arrows.
The hand may, however, cross the arrow.
While making a stroke, taking support of the stool or chair, stand or table, and/or keeping the legs on the rim of the stand/table, is not permissible.
The hands may rest on the player's body, and the legs may rest on the rim of the stool or chair on which the player sits.
V. The Toss
There shall be a toss by the umpire at the commencement of each match, by spin of coin or by calling the c/m. The player/pair winning the toss shall have the choice of side or the option to strike first. If the winner chooses the side, the umpire shall instruct the loser to sit first.
In doubles, the pair winning the toss shall have the same option.
If the break is chosen by the winner of the toss, the choice of side shall lie with the loser, and the winner shall sit first.
Once the losers have sat down, they cannot interchange. This order of sitting shall continue throughout the match.
VI. Trial Boards
There shall be two trial boards only, after the toss and before the start of the match — one for each player or pair.
VII. The Break
Before the break, the c/m are arranged flat so that the Queen occupies the centre circle and the rest are placed around her in the first row, alternating black and white. In the second row, three white c/m form a "Y" with the white c/m of the first row, and the remaining space is filled alternately. All c/m so arranged shall form a compact round, touching each other, within the outer circle. A player may use fingers or striker to keep the c/m intact.
The c/m shall be arranged for the break with the least possible loss of time after each board.
The break is taken by the player who has chosen to strike first.
The player who breaks shall have the white c/m during that board, leaving the black c/m to the opponent. The Queen shall be the common c/m.
The break is considered made if the striker touches any of the c/m, even slightly.
The break is not considered made if no c/m is touched by the striker in its usual run or by jumping out. In that case, a maximum of two more chances shall be allowed.
If after the permissible chances no c/m is touched, the right to break is lost and the turn passes to the opponent, who shall have the black c/m for play, with no re-arrangement of the c/m. This condition prevails until the break is effected.
If a player attempting to break plays an improper stroke or pockets the striker without touching any c/m, they shall lose their turn. No due/penalty shall apply.
The break shall be taken only after the umpire calls 'Play', and within 15 seconds of that call. Play is deemed to have begun from the moment the umpire calls 'Play'.
If the break is made before the umpire calls 'Play', all c/m and/or Queen pocketed shall be taken out for placing, a foul shall be declared, and the player shall lose their turn.
VIII. Turn of Play
As long as a player pockets their own c/m and/or Queen in accordance with the Laws, their turn shall continue. Otherwise it shall pass to the opponent.
In the first game, the player who chooses to break the first board shall have the white c/m. The turn to break shall pass alternately during the game.
In the second game, the player who did not have the first turn to break shall break first.
In the third game, the turn to break returns to the first player.
In doubles, the turn passes to the player sitting to the right of the player who had their turn.
A player shall not take more than 15 seconds for a stroke, counted from the moment the c/m, Queen and striker have come to rest and the striker is picked up by the opponent, and/or after the time allowed for placing c/m and/or Queen and/or foregoing due/penalty c/m.
If a player plays out of turn before the umpire could intervene, they shall lose the board by the number of c/m and Queen that were on the board at the time of the first out-of-turn stroke. If this remains unnoticed until the next stroke is taken, the turn shall be allowed and play shall continue as per the Laws.
IX. How to Score
The player who completes pocketing all their c/m first wins the board.
Queen: 3 points, up to and including 21 points.
c/m: 1 point each.
The number of the opponent's c/m left on the board shall be the points gained by the player in that board.
A player is credited with the value of the Queen only if they win the board.
The player who loses the board is not credited with the value of the Queen, even if they pocketed and covered her.
Once a player has reached 22 points, they lose the advantage of the additional 3 points for covering the Queen.
The maximum number of points that can be scored in a board is 12. Any due and/or penalty c/m shall automatically be written off.
A game shall be of 25 points or eight boards. The player who reaches 25 points first, or leads at the conclusion of the eighth board, shall be the winner of the game.
Up to and including the pre-quarter-final rounds, each game shall be decided on the basis of eight boards. If the score is equal at the end of the eighth board, an extra board shall be played to decide the winner — preceded by a toss to choose the break only.
All matches shall be decided by the best of three games.
X. Change of Sides
In singles, the players shall change sides in the opposite direction at the conclusion of each game.
In doubles, the players shall change sides to the next right-hand side at the conclusion of each game.
In the third game, for matches up to and including the pre-quarter-finals, sides shall be changed after the fourth board or after any player/pair has scored 13 points, whichever is earlier.
From the quarter-finals onwards, sides shall be changed only after 13 points have been scored by any player/pair.
A change of sides that went unnoticed shall take place as and when noticed, but after completion of that particular board.
The players shall not take more than two minutes to change sides.
XI. Fouls
Any act of violation of the Laws, or anything done contrary to what is stated specifically or implied in these Laws, is broadly classified as a technical foul or a foul.
Technical foul. Any violation of the Laws committed by the player before the first stroke of their turn. One c/m of the offending player shall be brought out for placing by the opponent, and the turn shall continue.
Any violation of the Laws committed by the player presently not having their turn shall also be deemed a technical foul, with a penalty imposed as above.
Foul. Any violation of the Laws committed by the player during or after the first stroke of their turn. One c/m of the offending player shall be brought out for placing by the opponent, and the turn shall be lost.
If a foul is committed while pocketing c/m and/or Queen, the c/m and/or Queen so pocketed, plus one additional c/m, shall be brought out for placing, and the turn shall be lost.
XII. Carrommen Overboard
If a c/m and/or Queen jumps out of the playing surface, the umpire shall place it in the centre circle, covering it fully if space permits, or the maximum portion available.
If both the Queen and a c/m jump in the same stroke, the Queen shall be placed first, and the jumped c/m placed touching her on the side opposite to the player presently having their turn.
If both white and black c/m jump in the same stroke, the c/m of the player who made the stroke shall be placed first, and the other placed touching it as above.
If more than two c/m jump in the same stroke, the first two shall be placed as above; the rest shall be placed touching them as far as possible.
If c/m and/or Queen jump out and fall back on the playing surface, they shall be placed by the umpire in the centre circle as per the Laws. Disturbed c/m, if any, shall be corrected by the umpire as far as possible, at their discretion.
If, however, they jump out and fall back after hitting the shade, bulb or light fittings, they shall be considered to have travelled naturally. Disturbed c/m shall not be rearranged.
XIII. c/m Rolling & Overlapping
If a c/m and/or Queen stands on its rim, it shall be left as it is.
If two c/m and/or Queen overlap each other, they shall be left undisturbed.
If the striker rests on c/m and/or Queen, the umpire shall remove the striker without disturbing them. If disturbed, the original positions shall be restored as far as possible by the umpire.
If this happens at the mouth of a pocket and, in the process of removal, the c/m and/or Queen lose their centre of gravity and fall into the pocket, they shall be deemed to have been pocketed.
If c/m and/or Queen rest on the striker, the umpire shall lift them, remove the striker, and replace them as far as possible where they would have rested.
If this happens at the mouth of a pocket and the striker loses its centre of gravity and falls in, it shall be deemed pocketed and a due shall be declared.
If a c/m resting perilously at the mouth of a pocket actually falls in, for any reason, it shall be considered to have been properly pocketed.
XIV. Dues & Penalties
A 'due' is charged when a player pockets their striker; a 'penalty' punishes an infringement of the Laws. Both are taken out of the offender's pocketed c/m and placed back on the board by the opponent.
If in a proper stroke a player pockets the striker alone, the turn shall be lost and one of their c/m shall be taken out as penalty by the opponent for placing. Such a penalty c/m shall be called a 'due'.
If in an improper stroke a player pockets the striker alone, the turn shall be lost and two c/m shall be taken out — 'due and foul'.
If this happens before any of the player's c/m is pocketed, the due shall remain outstanding and be taken out as soon as one is available.
If a player pockets the striker with their own c/m by a proper stroke, the number of c/m so pocketed, with a due c/m, shall be taken out for placing — and the player shall continue their turn.
If a player pockets the striker with the c/m of the opponent by a proper stroke, the c/m so pocketed shall be deemed pocketed, a due shall be taken out for placing, and the player shall lose their turn.
If a player pockets the striker with c/m of their own and of the opponent by a proper stroke, the number of their own c/m so pocketed, with a due c/m, shall be taken out for placing, and the player shall continue their turn.
If a player pockets the c/m of the opponent by an improper stroke, the c/m so pocketed shall be deemed pocketed, a penalty c/m shall be taken out for placing, and the player shall lose their turn.
If a player pockets their own c/m by an improper stroke, the c/m so pocketed, with a penalty c/m, shall be taken out for placing, and the player shall lose their turn.
If a player pockets their own c/m with the striker by an improper stroke, the c/m so pocketed, with two c/m — one as due and one as penalty — shall be taken out for placing, and the player shall lose their turn.
Due or penalty c/m shall be taken out for placing immediately after becoming available, but only after the completion of the stroke — even during the same player's turn.
In doubles, the due and/or penalty c/m shall always be taken out for placing by the player sitting to the right of the player having their turn.
If, however, a player pockets the opponent's c/m (with or without their own) and the due and/or penalty c/m becomes available, that player shall take out the c/m for placing themselves.
If a due and/or penalty c/m is available for placing but sufficient space is not, the player who has to place it may do so immediately after space becomes available.
In doubles, if the eligibility to place has passed to the partner, the partner alone shall have the right to take out and place the c/m.
If space is available but the player who has to place the c/m does not desire to risk a foul, they shall lose the chance to place and the claim shall stand forfeited.
If space becomes available during the turn of the player eligible to place, the placing shall be made immediately.
While placing a due and/or penalty c/m, if a player places their own c/m by mistake, it shall be rectified if pointed out by the umpire or the opponent, and a foul shall be declared.
If unnoticed by both before the next stroke is made, the c/m so placed shall be regarded as valid.
If more than one c/m is to be placed, the available c/m shall be placed immediately and the rest as soon as available. If, on availability, they are not placed before the next stroke is made and this remains unnoticed, the due shall be deemed forfeited.
Placing is considered complete once the finger is removed from the c/m, provided the c/m placed is inside the outer circle.
While placing due and/or penalty c/m, holding any other c/m and/or the striker is not permitted.
If a player places or moves a due and/or penalty c/m away from the outer circle, they shall be asked to place it inside the outer circle, and a foul shall be declared.
While placing due and/or penalty c/m, the player shall not move any other c/m and/or Queen, and the placed c/m shall not disturb any other c/m. If it happens, the umpire shall restore the original position as far as possible, and a foul shall be declared against the offending player.
A player may choose to forego the due and/or penalty c/m in total only, not partially. The decision shall be communicated to the umpire within 15 seconds, failing which the right to place shall be forfeited.
The additional points available on demand on completion of the board may, at the option of the beneficiary, be demanded fully or partially.
The time limit for placing due and/or penalty c/m shall be 15 seconds after the umpire's announcement.
If placing is not completed within the stipulated period, the c/m already placed may be ordered to be removed and a foul declared against the offender.
Due and/or penalty c/m cannot be set off against each other.
Due and/or penalty c/m shall not be placed covering the centre circle wholly or partially. If placed so, the player shall be asked to rectify, and a foul shall be declared.
In doubles, a player shall not take out the penalty and/or due c/m for their partner. If the partner does not find the required c/m in the pockets adjoining their side, they shall request the umpire to provide it, specifying the colour and number of c/m needed.
During the course of a board, if a player gets up from the seat during their turn or the opponent's turn, for any reason, they shall lose the board with the number of their c/m and/or Queen lying on the board. If the score of the opponent is 22 or more, they shall lose the board by the number of c/m only.
XV. The Queen
The red carromman is worth 3 points — but only to the player who pockets her, covers her, and goes on to win the board.
A player has the right to pocket the Queen and to cover her, provided a c/m of their own has already been pocketed.
The Queen shall be placed by the umpire only in the centre circle. If a shot is automatically formed while placing, it cannot be altered.
If the centre circle is partially or completely covered by other c/m, the Queen shall be placed to occupy most of the uncovered portion, or in a position adjacent to the centre circle such that she is not easy to pocket for the player having their turn. The umpire's placing in such a situation shall be final.
If the Queen is pocketed before any c/m of the player is pocketed, she shall be taken out for placing and the player shall lose their turn.
If a player pockets the Queen while there is a due against them, she shall be taken out for placing and the player shall lose their turn.
However, if after recovery of due and/or penalty all nine c/m are on the board, a player shall have the right to pocket the Queen and to cover her.
If, at the break or in a subsequent stroke when all nine c/m are on the board, the Queen is pocketed along with the striker, she shall be taken out for placing, a due shall be declared, and the player shall lose their turn.
If the Queen is pocketed and not covered, she shall be taken out for placing. If this is not noticed by the umpire or the opponent before the next stroke is made, the Queen shall be recorded as properly covered.
If the Queen and a c/m of the player are pocketed together in one stroke, the Queen shall be considered covered.
However, at the break and/or in any subsequent stroke when all nine c/m of the player are on the board: if the Queen and one c/m are pocketed together, the Queen still has to be covered; if more than one c/m is pocketed with her, she shall be considered covered.
If the Queen, a c/m of the player and the striker are pocketed together by a proper stroke, the Queen and the c/m so pocketed, with an additional one as due, shall be taken out for placing — and the player shall continue their turn.
By an improper stroke, the Queen and the c/m so pocketed, with two additional c/m as due and penalty, shall be taken out for placing, and the player shall lose their turn.
If the Queen and the striker are pocketed together by a proper stroke, the Queen shall be taken out for placing by the umpire, an additional c/m shall be taken out for placing by the opponent, and the player shall continue their turn.
By an improper stroke, the Queen shall be taken out by the umpire, two additional c/m shall be taken out by the opponent, and the player shall lose their turn.
While covering the Queen, if the striker alone is pocketed by a proper stroke, the Queen shall be taken out for placing, a c/m of the offending player shall be taken out as due, and the player shall lose their turn.
By an improper stroke, the Queen shall be taken out for placing, two c/m of the offending player shall be taken out as due and penalty, and the player shall lose their turn.
While covering the Queen by a proper stroke, if a player pockets the striker along with their c/m, the c/m so pocketed plus one c/m as due shall be taken out for placing. The player shall continue their turn — but if no c/m of the player is pocketed in that subsequent stroke, the Queen shall not be considered covered and shall be taken out for placing.
By an improper stroke, the c/m so pocketed plus two c/m as due and penalty shall be taken out for placing, the player shall lose their turn, and the Queen shall be taken out for placing by the umpire.
While covering the Queen, if a player pockets the last c/m of their own together with the last c/m of the opponent by a proper stroke, they shall be awarded 3 points. If the score is 22 or more, they shall win by 1 point.
By an improper stroke, the opponent shall win by 3 points (by 1 point if the score is 22 or more). If demanded, an additional point for the improper stroke shall be awarded to the opponent.
While covering the Queen, if a player pockets the last c/m of the opponent by a proper stroke, they shall lose the board by the number of their c/m lying on the board together with the points for the Queen. If the score of the opponent is 22 or more, they shall lose by the number of c/m only.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, an additional point shall be awarded to the opponent.
If a player pockets the Queen along with their last c/m and the last c/m of the opponent by a proper stroke, the player shall win the board by 3 points. If the score is 22 or more, they shall win by 1 point.
By an improper stroke, the opponent shall win the board by 3 points (by 1 point if the score is 22 or more). If demanded, one additional point shall be awarded.
If a player pockets the last c/m of their own and of the opponent by a proper stroke while the Queen is on the board, the opponent shall be awarded 3 points. If the score is 22 or more, they shall be awarded only 1 point.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, the opponent shall be awarded 1 additional point.
If a player pockets the last c/m of the opponent by a proper stroke when the Queen is on the board, they shall lose the board by the number of their own c/m lying on the board together with the points for the Queen. If the opponent's score is 22 or more, they shall lose by the number of c/m only.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, the opponent shall be awarded one point in addition.
If a player pockets their last c/m by a proper stroke leaving the Queen on the board, they shall lose the board by 3 points. If the opponent's score is 22 or more, they shall lose by 1 point.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, the opponent shall be awarded one additional point.
If a player pockets their last c/m along with the striker, leaving the Queen on the board, by a proper stroke, they shall lose the board by 3 points (by 1 point if the opponent's score is 22 or more). One additional point shall be awarded if demanded by the opponent.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, the opponent shall be awarded two additional points.
If a player pockets the Queen, their last c/m, the last c/m of the opponent and the striker together by a proper stroke, the player shall lose the board by 3 points (by 1 point if the opponent's score is 22 or more). One additional point for the pocketed striker shall be awarded if demanded.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, the opponent shall be awarded two additional points.
If a player pockets the last c/m of their own and of the opponent together with the striker by a proper stroke, they shall lose the board by 1 point, if the Queen has been covered by them. One additional point for the pocketed striker shall be awarded if demanded.
By an improper stroke, they shall lose the board by 1 point; two additional points shall be awarded if demanded.
If a player pockets the last c/m of the opponent along with the striker, leaving the Queen on the board, by a proper stroke, they shall lose the board by the number of their c/m lying on the board plus the value of the Queen. If the score is 22 or more, they shall lose by the number of c/m only. One additional point for the pocketed striker shall be awarded if demanded.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; if demanded, the opponent shall be awarded two additional points.
If a player pockets the last c/m of their own and of the opponent together with the striker by a proper stroke, they shall lose the board by 3 points, if the Queen has been covered by the opponent. If the score of the opponent is 22 or more, they shall get 1 point. One additional point shall be awarded if demanded.
By an improper stroke, the same applies; two additional points shall be awarded if demanded.
If the Queen resting perilously at the mouth of a pocket actually falls in, for any reason, she shall be considered to have been duly pocketed.
A player shall not utilise the due and/or penalty c/m to make a shot with the Queen. If utilised, the umpire shall ask them to rectify, and a foul shall be declared.
XVI. General
A stroke shall be taken by means of a striker only, brought by the player and certified by the Chief Referee/Umpire before play.
While taking a stroke, if the striker jumps over the board, the turn of the player shall continue if they pocket their own c/m and/or Queen in that stroke.
A changed new striker, duly approved by the Chief Referee/Umpire, shall be allowed in a match only after the particular board is completed. If the striker is damaged in the middle of a board, it may be changed only after completion of that particular stroke.
Once set, the position of the board shall not be changed in the middle of a match.
The sole authority to make any change, after examination, on an appeal by any player, lies with the umpire.
The board, table or stand allotted for a match can be changed only after the completion of a board. The sole authority for deciding their condition rests with the umpire.
Any damaged c/m, if appealed for replacement, shall be replaced by the umpire in its original position as far as possible.
The time count stops when there is an appeal to the umpire by a player during play. Play shall not continue unless the umpire has ordered 'Play'.
A player who violates this shall lose the entire board with the number of their c/m lying on the board, with the points for the Queen as per the Laws if she is lying on the board.
The powder shall be applied evenly, by the player having the turn, over the playing surface before the break — neither excessive nor scanty.
The powder shall not be applied or removed after the umpire has announced 'Play'.
Any wilful attempt to remove or wipe powder from the playing surface shall not be permitted.
Removal of powder by blowing, wiping or any other way shall not be permitted. For any of these infringements, a foul shall be declared.
Excess powder along the base lines and base circles of the player's side may be removed during their turn of play, with the help of the striker only.
The umpire shall have the right to control the even application of powder on the playing surface.
The umpire should be requested for removal of dust, insects, etc., from the board during the course of play.
A stroke is considered completed only after the striker and the c/m and/or Queen disturbed by it come to rest. The striker shall be removed from the board by the player immediately after the stroke is completed. The umpire may assist on request.
As long as a player pockets their own c/m and/or Queen, the time count starts as soon as the stroke is completed.
When a player fails to pocket their c/m and/or Queen, the time count for the opponent shall start only after the striker has been removed from the board.
A player shall not make the stroke before the opponent picks up their striker from the board.
When a player pockets the c/m of the opponent, knowingly or unknowingly, the umpire shall stop the player from playing further.
If unnoticed by the umpire or the opponent, the c/m pocketed shall be considered properly pocketed, and the turn of the player shall be lost as and when noticed.
The player shall not hit, tap or disturb the board, wilfully or otherwise. If done, a foul shall be declared.
If it is done in such a way that rearrangement of the c/m becomes impossible, the player shall lose the entire board with the number of c/m lying on it, with the points for the Queen as per the Laws.
A stroke shall be considered made if the striker slips, leaving any base line or base circle, irrespective of whether it has touched any c/m or not.
If the striker slips and does not leave any base line or base circle, and moves no c/m, a stroke shall not be considered made.
A player may find out the score from the umpire only during their turn of play.
A player shall not distract the attention of the opponent by any act.
While taking a stroke, the striker must touch both base lines.
If the stroke is made from the base circle, the striker must cover the base circle fully but shall not touch the arrow.
In doubles, during the course of a board, the partners are not allowed to talk or communicate with each other by gestures. Any violation shall be penalised with a foul.
Players shall not talk to the spectators during the course of a game without the permission of the umpire.
The player shall not hold any solid material, except the striker, in either hand during the course of their turn.
The c/m and/or Queen shall not be moved or disturbed after the break, except by way of a stroke. If touched, moved or disturbed, they shall be replaced in the original position by the umpire as far as possible, and a foul shall be declared against the offending player.
The run of the striker shall not be tested on the playing surface during the course of a board.
The player shall not keep the striker on the frame or in the pocket of the board during the board.
The player shall be permitted to place the striker and/or c/m on the playing surface near their base lines only, while placing the due and/or penalty c/m.
If the players pass over their turn consecutively three times each, that particular board shall be cancelled and replayed.
There shall be an interval of 10 minutes between the second and third games.
A player is permitted to concede a game and/or match at any stage.
In case of any unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the umpire, that particular board shall be replayed.
If a c/m is damaged by a stroke during the course of a board, the position of the bigger part of the damaged c/m is considered for all purposes, and the umpire's decision shall be final.
In the event of c/m lying on the base lines/base circles, preventing the player from taking a stroke for want of space for placement of the striker, that board shall be replayed.
XVII. Loss of Entire Match
A player shall be liable to lose the entire match for any act of indiscipline and/or any of the following:
Leaves the match board area (10 square feet) during the game without the permission of the umpire.
Fails to abide by the time limit given for rest in the deciding game of a match.
Refuses to abide by the decision of the umpire and/or Chief Referee.
Passes insulting remarks against the umpire, Chief Referee and/or authorities before, during or immediately after the match.
Smokes, or smells foul while at play due to intoxicating drinks, and/or is under the influence of drugs.
Plays with an uncertified striker.
Discontinues play during the course of a match without the permission of the umpire.
Disturbs and distracts the attention of the opponent while at play more than twice, despite the umpire's warning.
Fails to report to the umpire at the match board within 15 minutes after the match is announced.
XVIII. Protests
All protests shall be written in English, addressed to the secretary of the tournament, and submitted through the Chief Referee/Umpire, duly signed by the player/captain or the manager of the team.
The oral protest shall be intimated to the umpire immediately after the incident takes place, along with the prescribed scrutiny fee. No protest shall be entertained without payment of the scrutiny fee.
The written protest shall be submitted within 15 minutes of completion of that particular board.
The protest shall represent facts only, as they occurred: the decision of the umpire/Chief Referee and the point appealed against by the aggrieved party.
A protest in uncouth and abusive language shall be summarily rejected and invite disciplinary action.
Once a protest is lodged, it shall not be permitted to be withdrawn.
Once a protest is recorded and handed over, play shall continue from where it stopped. The result of the match shall not be announced till the protest is considered.
If the protest is upheld, the match shall continue from the beginning of the particular board in which the protest was lodged, and the scrutiny fee refunded.
If the protest is overruled, the result already obtained shall stand and the scrutiny fee forfeited.
The decision of the championship/tournament authorities shall be conveyed to the parties concerned within one hour from the time the protest was lodged.
XIX. The Score Card
The umpire records each board on the score card as follows:
Column (1): the name of the player choosing to break is entered first.
Columns (2) & (5) — Queen: three points are entered for the player pocketing the Queen, and 'Nil' in the other Queen column.
Columns (3) & (6) — No. of c/m: the number of the opponent's c/m lying on the board at the finish is noted, and 'Nil' in the other column.
Columns (4) & (7) — Grand total: the aggregate points secured by each player, entered cumulatively at the finish of each board.
Adapted from the official Laws of Carrom, © International Carrom Federation, with minor edits for readability.