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Whether you play carrom on a traditional plywood board or your smartphone, the success rate in the carrom game depends on your ability to use the striker efficiently to pocket coins in the least turns possible. Like any other game, practise will prove essential, especially when you’re playing online, as it would help you develop the judgment needed to play every strike accurately.
Now that being said, here are some carrom tips you can use to get better at the game:
1.Using the right speed and right direction to strike
The striker is the only weapon at your disposal to dictate carrom games. In traditional carrom, you flick the striker with the right pace and direction to send the desired coin into the pockets of the carrom board. On the carrom game in MPL, the same can be done using your finger. However, you will need to get used to dragging the striker – left & right to adjust position and up & down to adjust speed/direction – to get the perfect shot. A perfect shot is when the striker touches the coin at the very point that will propel it to your targeted pocket. If the speed is too much, the coin will bounce back into play, and if it is too low, the coin will not reach the pocket. If you get the direction wrong, the coin will miss the target altogether.
2.Getting your angles right
Remember that you cannot pocket all coins with a normal straight shot. Sometimes, the player will need to strike the coin at an angle to move to the desired direction/pocket. In a normal straight shot, the angle formed at the point where the striker hits the coin is 180 degrees. The further away the piece is from the pocket (towards the centre), the smaller the angle, and the more difficult it gets to strike the piece perfectly. Striking the coin at an angle is called a ‘cut shot’. In such a shot, the player needs to get two variables right - the angle of his strike and the striker's speed.
3.Break shots can help set the tempo of the game
The first shot of the game is known as a ‘break shot’. A break shot aims to disperse all pieces on the carrom board, away from its centre. Players generally aim to bag a piece or two in the break shot itself. This helps the player to get additional turns and possibly bag a few more coins before the striker changes hands. A poor break shot can have the opposite effect as it might enable the opponent to pocket some pieces easily.
4.Shots that can help you win when you play carrom
Apart from the break shot and the aforementioned cut shot, there are various trick shots that every carrom player should know. As a beginner, the prime objective will be to master one shot and slowly move from the basic straight shot to the advanced shots.
Cut shot
The first basic shot when you move away from hitting coins in a straight line is the cut shot. Taking the popular cut shot a notch higher is trying to pocket a coin from the centre of the board by making a diagonal hit from one of the corners of the base area. If executed correctly, it drags the piece to the pocket opposite to the striker.
The first basic shot when you move away from hitting coins in a straight line is the cut shot. Taking the popular cut shot a notch higher is trying to pocket a coin from the centre of the board by making a diagonal hit from one of the corners of the base area. If executed correctly, it drags the piece to the pocket opposite to the striker.
Middle shot
In this shot, the player needs to hit two connected pieces in one hit. This is done in such a manner that both pieces move in opposite directions and get pocketed. It is widely used during the initial stages of the game when all pieces are close to each other.
In this shot, the player needs to hit two connected pieces in one hit. This is done in such a manner that both pieces move in opposite directions and get pocketed. It is widely used during the initial stages of the game when all pieces are close to each other.
Second hit
Tricky shot to execute but splendid if it hit correctly. In a second hit shot, the player strikes on a piece that, in turn, hits another piece, thereby scoring the second piece or, at times, both the pieces. It is also useful when an opponent piece is in the way of the striker and your piece.
Tricky shot to execute but splendid if it hit correctly. In a second hit shot, the player strikes on a piece that, in turn, hits another piece, thereby scoring the second piece or, at times, both the pieces. It is also useful when an opponent piece is in the way of the striker and your piece.
Board Shot
Considered to be a pro-shot in carrom, it is hit in such a way that the striker hits all three walls of the board - in front of the player - and then pockets a piece. This might not be the easiest shot to master, but it is a trick shot that should be in every player's arsenal looking to compete against the best.
Considered to be a pro-shot in carrom, it is hit in such a way that the striker hits all three walls of the board - in front of the player - and then pockets a piece. This might not be the easiest shot to master, but it is a trick shot that should be in every player's arsenal looking to compete against the best.
Back Shot
Also called the ‘rebound shot’, the striker is hit in such a manner that it hits the front wall and returns to strike a piece into the pocket. A rebound is generally used to hit pieces right next to the striking area, which cannot be directly scored with a straight shot or a cut shot.
Also called the ‘rebound shot’, the striker is hit in such a manner that it hits the front wall and returns to strike a piece into the pocket. A rebound is generally used to hit pieces right next to the striking area, which cannot be directly scored with a straight shot or a cut shot.
5.Keep it simple
While trick shots are fun to watch, the best players tend to win the game using mostly basic shots. Irrespective of the type of shot, the objective remains to pocket all coins before your opponent. One can achieve this by playing shots with a greater success rate and keeping hold of the striker as long as possible. Before you start playing carrom online, you must learn the basic rules of the carrom game.
6.Zero in on a specific striking style
Ideally speaking, we have six different types of striking techniques to use for an effective break shot and pot the carrom men. The different striking styles include an upright long finger style, index finger style, index finger & thumb style, thumbshot, middle finger & thumb, and middle finger style. You should also read and understand more about how you can effectively use different striking styles.
7.Try to avoid fouls
When a player commits a foul, a penalty is charged by removing one of their coins and placing it back in the centre, and their turn ends instantly. When the player pockets the striker or proceeds to strike under the striking line, it leads to a foul. Other fouling instances would include pocketing the final piece before the queen or striking the pieces that touch the striking line.
How to aim carrom shots?
When you play carrom online, aiming shots can get tricky as it differs from other board games that you might play. The greatest advantage of playing carrom online is that your fingers wouldn't hurt, no matter how hard the strike. Whether you're aiming for a side shot, middle shot, alley-oop (in a doubles game) or any other, you need to have clarity. While playing online, a striker can be dragged on the line from left to right; you can aim it in the right direction and drag it down for the release. The striker needs to be positioned between the two baselines or on the two circles on the player’s side. It must border both the rear line and front line. Hit the striker with ideal momentum (from the right moon or the left moon) to propel coins lying on the opposite frame into pockets and gather more points.
How can I improve my game?
We want to focus on three essential aspects here. Firstly, you should have the right mental attitude. You might want to switch your approach to the game depending on whether you are playing in a competition or for fun with your friends. Secondly, try all possible ways to flick the striker as you'd do on an actual carrom board to angle the striking finger.In a traditional carrom game, you might notice that the middle finger of your hand is perpendicular to the carrom board. This striking style is best used when there's no space around your baseline, and the carrom men encompass the striker. Finally, keep a watch on the opponent's base line to see if he makes any mistakes.
How to earn real money by playing carrom online?
There are plenty of prizes to be won in both professional as well as freestyle games. If you wish to put your skills to the test and win many prizes, you can participate in online tournaments on the MPL app, which are played in the ‘best out of' format. The ultimate goal is to win the maximum number of games to claim the top prize in the online carrom game tournament. Also, bookmark our useful carrom tips and go through them in detail before signing up for an online tournament.
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