Cornhole Rules: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Pros

If you’ve ever been to a backyard barbecue, tailgate party, or beach hangout, chances are you’ve seen people tossing bean bags toward wooden boards that’s cornhole! While it looks easy and fun, mastering the cornhole rules is key to enjoying the game like a pro. Whether you’re a casual player or getting ready for a tournament, understanding cornhole rules ensures fair play, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs.

What Is Cornhole?

Cornhole is a lawn game where players or teams take turns throwing fabric bean bags at a raised platform (board) with a hole near the far end. The goal? Score points by landing your bag on the board or, even better, getting it through the hole.

The game is loved across the U.S. because it’s simple, social, and works for all ages. But before you toss your first bag, let’s explore the official cornhole rules that make the game fair and fun.

Official Cornhole Setup

According to standard cornholerules (as outlined by the American Cornhole League – ACL):

• Boards: Two wooden or plastic boards, each 2 feet wide and 4 feet long.
• Hole: Centered 9 inches from the top and 6 inches in diameter.
• Distance: The front edges of the boards are 27 feet apart for official play (you can shorten it for casual games).
• Bags: Each team has four bags (6×6 inches, 15–16 ounces).
• Teams: Singles (1 vs. 1) or Doubles (2 vs. 2).

Proper setup ensures the cornhole rules can be followed consistently, no matter where you play.

How to Play Cornhole

Here’s how a typical game flows under standard cornhole rules:

1. Decide who goes first often by a coin toss.
2. Players alternate throws, starting from the pitcher’s box beside the board.
3. A player must throw from behind the front edge of their board.
4. Bags in the hole = 3 points.
5. Bags on the board = 1 point.
6. Bags that hit the ground before landing on the board earn 0 points.

Each player throws all four bags per inning. After each round, scores are calculated using the cancellation scoring method (explained below).

Cornhole Scoring Rules

Scoring is where things get interesting! According to cornhole rules, scoring is done by cancellation meaning one player’s points cancel out the other’s for each round.

• If Player A scores 8 points and Player B scores 5, the round’s result is Player A gets 3 points.
• Games are usually played to 21 points exactly.

If both teams hit 21 at the same time, gameplay continues until one team leads by at least 2 points a classic rule followed in most cornhole tournaments.

Foul Cornhole Rules You Should Know

Even a friendly game has rules! To keep things fair, here are common fouls in cornhole rules:

1. Foot Foul: Stepping past the front edge of the board while tossing.
2. Out-of-Turn Throw: Throwing when it’s not your turn.
3. Incorrect Bag: Using an unapproved bag size or weight.
4. Interference: Distracting your opponent during their throw.

Foul bags don’t count for points and should be removed from the board before the next toss.

Singles and Doubles Cornhole Rules

Singles Play:
Each player throws four bags per inning from the same board, alternating tosses. After the first inning, players switch sides and throw from the opposite board.

Doubles Play:
Teammates stand at opposite boards. One partner from each team tosses from the same end, while their teammate waits at the far board to throw next. Teams alternate tosses until all eight bags are thrown.

Both formats use the same cornhole rules, but doubles games tend to be more social and fast-paced.

Winning the Game

Under official cornhole rules, the first team or player to reach exactly 21 points wins. However, many casual players allow “over 21” to count as a win.

In tournament play, must-win-by-two is common, ensuring a clear winner even in close matches.

Fun Variations of Cornhole Rules

While the official rules keep things structured, many people create house variations to spice up the fun:

• 21 or Bust: If you go over 21, your score resets to 15.
• Rapid Fire: All players throw their bags as fast as possible.
• Timed Rounds: Each player has 30 seconds per throw.

These twists make cornhole rules more adaptable to different party vibes or player skill levels.

Tips to Master Cornhole Rules Like a Pro

• Focus on your stance: Keep your feet steady and toss with a smooth arm swing.
• Master your arc: Aim for a gentle arc so the bag lands flat.
• Play smart defense: Block your opponent’s hole with strategic tosses.
• Stay consistent: Repetition is key the more you play, the better you’ll understand the rhythm of cornhole rules.

With practice, you’ll soon be the one setting the standards for fair and fun gameplay.

FAQs About Cornhole Rules

Q1. How far apart are cornhole boards placed?
According to official cornhole rules, the front edges of the boards should be 27 feet apart for adults and 15–20 feet for kids or casual games.

Q2. Can a bag bounce onto the board and still count?
No. If a bag hits the ground before landing on the board, it’s considered a foul and scores 0 points under standard cornhole rules.

Q3. What happens if a bag hangs halfway in the hole?
If the bag is partially hanging but not completely through the hole, it counts as 1 point unless another bag knocks it in.

Q4. Can you lean over the board when throwing?
No. Cornhole rules state that both feet must remain behind the front edge of the board during a toss.

Q5. How many rounds are in a cornhole game?
There’s no fixed number. Players continue until one reaches 21 points using official cornhole scoring rules.

Q6. Can I play cornhole indoors?
Absolutely! You can play indoors using smaller boards or mini sets, as long as you follow the same cornhole rules.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a weekend player or part of a league, understanding the cornhole rules keeps the game enjoyable and competitive. From board setup to scoring and fouls, every rule ensures fair play. So grab your bags, call your friends, and let the friendly competition begin just make sure everyone knows the cornhole rules before the first toss!