The 29 Game: carrom played to 29 points
The 29 Game turns classic carrom into a match of several boards. Each board is played as normal; whoever clears their coins first scores for every coin the other side still has on the board. The first side to 29 points wins the match.
Rules of the 29 Game
- Each board is played as classic carrom: pot your 9 coins, and pot and cover the red queen.
- The red queen cannot be your first piece: potted before any of your coins, it does not count. Your turn goes on, and the queen goes back to the centre when your turn ends.
- If you pot your last coin while the queen is still on the board, that coin is held and you play on for the queen. Pot it and the coin comes back to the centre to cover it with; miss, and the coin comes back and the turn passes.
- The side that clears its coins wins the board and scores a point for each of the opponents’ coins still on the board.
- If the winners covered the queen, it adds 5 points – but not once they have more than 23 points.
- Then the pieces are set up again and the next player breaks the new board, playing white. The sides swap colours and keep their points.
- The first side to 29 points wins the game.
Tips
- Clear fast: every coin your opponent still has when you finish is a point for you.
- Cover the queen early – late in the match, above 23 points, it no longer counts.
- Play it 1 v 1 or 2 v 2 with a partner, online, against bots, or pass and play.
Questions
How do you score in the 29 Game?
The side that clears its coins scores one point for each opponent coin left on the board, plus 5 for the queen if they covered it (only while they have 23 points or fewer).
Who breaks the next board?
The next player in turn breaks, and plays white for that board; points stay with each side whatever colour it plays.
Is the 29 Game free?
Yes. Play it free in your browser, with coins and board designs to win along the way.