Mastering Carrom Game Due Rules and Penalties

carrom due rules

Carrom is a traditional table top game that needs to be played with a combination of skill, strategy and precision. From casual family games to competitive tournaments, the game of carrom has gained massive popularity worldwide. However, to master the game, knowing how to pocket the coins is not enough. It’s important to understand the Carrom Due rules, including the penalties, which will help outplay the opponents in a great way. The “due” in Carrom is a penalty imposed on players for committing fouls. 

By being aware of these penalties, you can gain an advantage over your rivals and drastically alter the course of the game.

In this article, we’ll dive into the due Carrom rules in India and explore situations that lead to these penalties.

What Are Carrom Due Rules?

Due rules in Carrom are specific regulations that penalize players for fouls or improper play. When a player commits certain fouls, they incur a “due,” which can result in the placement of coins back on the board, loss of turn, or other penalties. These carrom rules ensure fair play and maintain the competitive spirit of the game. Understanding these rules is crucial for players looking to improve their performance and avoid unnecessary losses.

7 Essential Carrom Due Rules 

Here are some essential rules of due in carrom that every player should know:

  1. Pocketing the Striker: You will be penalized and one of your coins will be returned to the board if you pocket the striker rather than the coins. Additionally, you forfeit your turn.
  2. Pocketing the Striker Along with Your Coin: If you pocket the striker and your coin at the same time, you will forfeit the round and will also be penalized twice by having to put two of your coins back on the board.
  3. Pocketing the Striker Along with an Opponent’s Coin: The penalty is significantly worse in this case. You lose your turn when you put one of your coins back on the board and allow your opponent to pocket their coin.
  4. Failure to Cover the Queen: You will pay a due if you pocket the queen but then forget to pocket one of your coins right away. The queen will then be returned to the center according to the queen rules in carrom.
  5. Improper Positioning of Striker: You risk a penalty and a turn loss if you position the striker wrongly or don’t hit it inside the lines.
  6. Double Touch Penalty: You commit a foul and pay a due if you touch or strike the striker more than once in a single attempt.
  7. Incorrect Striking Order: If a player takes a turn out of sequence, they lose their turn, and the opponent is awarded a penalty, typically gaining an advantage on their next move.

However, if you want to avoid penalties and fouls, you must know how to play carrom board game at the tournament level.

Situations When a Due Can Occur in a Carrom Game

In addition to the general Carrom due rules, there are specific scenarios where a due is incurred, leading to penalties. Let’s explore some common situations when due occur in Carrom.

Pocketing the Striker

Pocketing the striker is one of the most frequent fouls in Carrom. A penalty is issued when the striker inadvertently slips into the pocket. The player’s turn ends instantly when they fail to put back onto the board one of the coins they have previously pocketed. This gives the opposition an advantage, which has the potential to change the course of the match.

Pocketing the Striker and Your Coin

In this case, one of your coins and the striker are pocketed at the same time. Although this carrom trick shot appears to be a good thing, as per the rules of double dues in carrom, there is a consequence involved. One coin must be returned to the board as a punishment for pocketing the striker, and the other coin must be returned for the coin that was pocketed along with it.

Pocketing the Striker and Opponent’s Coin

When the striker pockets the coin of the opposition along with it, the player is penalized while the opponent gains an advantage. In addition to losing their turn, the carrom due rules states that the player must return one of their own coins to the board, allowing the opponent to keep their coin.

Improper Strokes and Their Penalties

Players make mistakes when they don’t use the proper striking technique. This covers infractions such striking with both hands, positioning the striker improperly, and hitting outside of the baseline. These incorrect strokes result in an instant penalty, which means that one of the player’s coins is put back onto the board and they lose a turn. However, knowing the essential carrom striker rules will help avoiding unintentional dues in carrom. 

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When Does a Double Due Occur in Carrom?

A double due in Carrom occurs when a player commits two fouls simultaneously during their turn. This results in a heavier penalty than a single due. Here are common situations when a double dues in carrom can occur:

  1. Pocketing the Striker and Your Coin Together: According to the double due carrom rules, If a player pockets both the striker and one of their own coins in the same shot, it results in a double due. The player must return two of their coins to the board, one for pocketing the striker and one for the pocketed coin, and they also lose their turn.
  2. Pocketing the Striker and the Queen Without Covering: If a player pockets both the striker and the queen but fails to cover the queen (i.e., pocket one of their own coins immediately after), this also results in a double due with queen in carrom. The queen is returned to the center of the board, and two coins of the player must be placed back on the board as a penalty.
  3. Pocketing the Striker and an Opponent’s Coin Together: If a player pockets the striker and one of the opponent’s coins, they incur a double due. One of their own coins is placed back on the board, and their opponent gets to keep the pocketed coin. This is one of the most advantageous situations for the opponent.

In these cases, understanding the carrom double due rules and avoiding such double dues is key to maintaining control over the game and minimizing penalties.

FAQs – Carrom Double Due Rules

Is the queen cover double due?

Yes, the queen cover can result in a double due if a player pockets both the striker and the queen but fails to cover the queen. The player must return two coins: one for pocketing the striker and another for failing to cover the queen.

What happens if I don’t have enough coins to return for a double due?

If a player doesn’t have enough coins to return for a double due, they incur a penalty that affects future turns. The coins owed are deducted from future pocketed coins, prolonging the penalty until the required dues are settled.

Does a double due result in losing my turn?

Yes, a double due results in the player losing their turn. In addition to the penalty of placing two coins back on the board, the player forfeits their turn, giving the opponent a strategic advantage.

How can I avoid getting a due in Carrom?

To avoid a due in Carrom, focus on precise striker control, aim to avoid pocketing the striker, and ensure proper striking technique. Practice covering the queen immediately after pocketing and carefully follow the game’s rules to minimize fouls.