# Carrom Queen Rules Explained
The Queen is the bright red carrom piece, the highest-value coin on the board. These rules follow standard Indian Carrom Federation rules, used in most offline and online Carrom Pool games.
## Core Rule
You **cannot pocket the Queen until you have already pocketed at least one of your own colour coins** (white or black). If you sink the Queen before pocketing any of your coins, it is a foul. The Queen goes back to the centre circle, and you lose your turn.
## What is Covering the Queen?
This is the most important rule.
After you legally pocket the Queen, you must **cover it**.
- Cover means pocketing one of your own coins on the **next shot** after sinking the Queen.
- If you pocket the Queen and one of your own coins in the same shot, the Queen is automatically covered. This is a valid cover.
- If you miss, pocket only the opponent’s coin, or commit a foul on that cover shot: the Queen is placed back in the centre, and your turn ends.
Once covered, the Queen stays pocketed and counts for points.
## Points for Queen
A covered Queen is worth **3 points**.
- Regular coins are 1 point each.
- Once a player reaches 22 points, the Queen’s 3-point bonus no longer applies. The player wins by 1 point only if they hit 22+ points.
## Critical Winning Rule
You cannot win the board by pocketing your last coin if the Queen is still on the board and uncovered.
If you sink your final coin before the Queen is covered, you lose that board.
## Common Queen-Related Fouls
1. Pocketing Queen before sinking any of your coins → Queen back to centre, turn lost
2. Pocketing Queen + striker together → foul, Queen returns, penalty applies
3. Cover shot only pockets opponent’s coin → Queen back to centre
4. Trying to cover after multiple other shots: Not allowed. Cover must be the immediate next shot after Queen
## Simple Example Flow
1. You pocket one white coin → your turn continues
2. Next shot: you pocket the red Queen → you now need a cover shot
3. Next shot (cover shot): you sink another white coin ✅ Queen covered, secured, 3 points added
4. If you miss on step 3 ❌ Queen returns to centre
## Beginner Tips
- Do not rush to sink the Queen early. It is risky if you struggle to get a cover shot.
- Keep at least one easy coin available for covering after you pocket the Queen.
- In casual home games, some players use relaxed variants, but Carrom Pool mobile app follows the official cover rule strictly.
## Quick Cheat Sheet
✅ Pocket at least one own coin first → then sink Queen
✅ Cover Queen on the very next shot
✅ Same shot: Queen + your coin = automatically covered
❌ No cover → Queen back to centre
❌ Sink your last coin before Queen is covered → lose the board