Carrom is played using small disks of wood or plastic known as "carrom men" (sometimes abbreviated CM, c.m. c/m, etc.). These pieces, aside from the special "queen", may also be known as "seeds", "coins", "pawns" (as in chess), or "pucks". Carrom men are designed to slide when struck and are made with a smooth surface that slides easily when laid flat on the board. They are struck by a "Striker" of a standard specification which is larger and heavier. Carrom follows similar "strike and pocket" games, like pool, with its use of rebounds, angles, and obstruction of opponent's carrom pieces.