In Carrom the board, much like in chess or checkers, is the base where the game takes place. The standardized Carrom board needs to have a playing surface made of plywood or a similarly smooth and stable wood and cannot be less than 8mm thick. The official playing area needs to be a square measuring at 29" (74cm). The board itself will also be a square and its overall size will depend upon the dimensions of the frame which is made from different types of hardwood, such as rosewood.
The Playing Surface
Depending on the thickness and the type of wood struts are sometimes added to the underside to provide extra stability and avoid warping. Harder more stable woods and thicker surfaces do not require struts to be added. The surface should also be completely smooth to ensure that when an average striker weighing 15gms is flicked with maximum strength from one of the ball lines onto the opposite frame it bounces back at least three and a half times.
The Frame
This should be made from a hard wood with a minimum height of 1.90cm and a maximum height of 2.54 from the playing surface. Its internal corners should be rounded and on the entry level boards these are usually reinforced with a more resistant wood such as rosewood. A higher specification board will use harder woods and have wider frames than an entry level or junior board.
Pockets
The four corner pockets should be 4.45cm in diameter - with 0.15cm tolerance at most either way - and should be rounded on the inside and not on the outside. The section of plywood that joins the corner of the frame should be cut off. The pockets should be fully lined with nets from the underside and need to be capable of carrying at least 10 coins.
Playing Marks
