Cornhole – an outdoor game also known as bag toss, corn toss, bean bag, bean toss, and more – is one of the most popular games throughout the US. It’s a family-friendly pastime that has become a mainstream form of entertainment, from the streets, backyard BBQs, and tailgating parties to high-stakes tournaments. Since a pre-game party is almost as important as the actual sporting event American sports enthusiasts, cornhole is a popular game enjoyed by them.
This game can be played anywhere with a flat surface and enough space. You don’t need a court or a field with it. Also, people of all ages can play this game.
However, cornhole is also a competition, and that’s why it comes with standardized gameplay. The rules are fairly straightforward and easy to understand. Here’s what you need to know about playing this game:
Table of Contents
Cornhole Equipment
To play cornhole, you need two kinds of equipment: the cornhole boards and bean bags. Players will need access to two cornhole boards and a total of eight bean bags. In order to distinguish the points earned, each team or player must have a different colored set of bean bags.
Boards
You must have two identical 2 feet by 4 feet boards with a 6-inch hole centered nine inches from the top. From top to bottom, the front edge of the board must measure 2.5 to 4 inches. The back edge of the cornhole board must be elevated 12 inches from the ground. Because it needs to be a sloped surface, cornhole boards usually have foldable legs at the back.
Bean Bags
Official cornhole bags must be square, measuring 6 by 6 inches. There must be a total of 8 bean bags, 4 of one color, and 4 of another. Each bag must weigh around 15 to 16 ounces.
Most cornhole boards come as a set with bean bags included, but always remember to double-check before making your purchase. When you’re buying online, make sure that it directly states that there are bags included, and don’t just rely on the sample photos.
Setup and Gameplay
Players
Cornhole is played by either two people competing against each other, or four people in teams of two. Before the game begins, players must agree if it’s a single or a doubles match. In a singles play, both competitors toss from the same board. After each inning, they will switch boards and aim at the other hole.
Meanwhile, in a doubles match, two teammates compete with another duo. One competitor from each team tosses from the same platform, while the remaining two competitors toss from the other board. After each inning, the players switch boards and aim at the other target.
In short, you and your opponents must alternate throwing until each player has thrown four bags. The team or player that wins the frame gets to throw first in the next. If neither of the players score, the player or team who threw first during the last frame will throw first in the next one.
Setup
The two cornhole boards must be placed facing the front end of each, 27 feet apart. Try setting up the boards on the flattest area you can find.
Directly next to the board, there’s a 3-foot-wide pitcher’s box that runs the length of the cornhole board. Players in their turn must stay within the pitcher’s box when playing. The front of the box serves as the foul line, and your feet must not come past the line when throwing. The toss must be delivered with an underhand release.
Innings
A cornhole game is divided into innings. In a singles match, both players pitch four bags each from the same board, alternating between players. One inning is finished when all eight bean bags have been tossed. In doubles play, the two opponents pitch four bags each from the same board while alternating between players. When two players have finished, the other two throw their bags in the same manner from the other board. The inning is complete after all four players have tossed.
Fouls
There also foul moves in the game of cornhole, such as:
- Crossing foul line
- Stepping outside the pitcher’s box to toss
- Switching pitcher’s poxes during one inning
- Dropping the bag in the ground before it lands on the board
- Dropping the bean bag after starting the forward swing
- Failing to toss bean bag within 20 seconds of positioning in the pitcher’s box
When these moves happen, the tossed bag must be removed before the gameplay can resume.
Scoring
The game of cornhole is played to 21 points. Players are awarded 3 points if the bag goes through the hole, which is called a hole-in. It can happen when the bag passes through the hole upon tossing, when it came to rest after sliding across the board, or when it’s knocked in by another bag. Meanwhile, one point is awarded for bags that hit and remain on the board. This point cannot be awarded for bags that touched the ground before resting on the board. And, no points are awarded for bags that come to rest outside the board and did not pass through a hole.
Points are kept using cancelation scoring. Take this scenario as an example. Technically, if Player 1 gets two bags through the hole and one bag on the board, he gets seven points. If player 2 gets three bags on the board, he gets three points. Instead of having these points as final scores, Player 2’s lower score must be subtracted from Player 1’s higher score. Therefore, Player 1 gets four points, and Player 2 gets zero after that inning.
Bags in the court cancel each other out. For a game wherein Player 1 lands three bags in the court, while Player 2 gets one in there, Player 1 earns one point while the opponent has zero.
The first team or player to reach or exceed 21 points wins. If one team scores seven or more points before the opponent gets any points, then the team that has scored wins.
Players cannot stop the game mid-inning. Even if a team or player reaches 21 points, the play must continue until the inning is over.
Tips for Playing Cornhole
1. Practice.
As with any game or skill, you’ll get better with practice. Cornhole is a fun and easy game that can be learned by anyone in no time, but to become a better player, you’ll have to practice. Find out how you can toss that will bring a better result. Set up the boards in your backyard and practice by yourself, or ask your family or friends to play with you.
2. Find your grip and foot position.
Though the cornhole bag must be tossed underhand, different people hold the bag differently. One of the things you have to master is how to handle the bean bags that you will be throwing. Remember that the longer you wait before tossing, the worse your throw generally becomes. But that doesn’t mean you have to hurry up and throw it right away. It’s best to find a grip that’s comfortable and effective for you.
Also, the position of your feet matters too. Some people take a step or two before tossing the bag, while for some, it’s better to simply stand and throw. Each player’s strategy is different, so take some time to find out what footwork brings you balance and the right force as you throw your bean bag.
3. Don’t always aim at the hole.
Yes, you can earn higher points when you get the bag through the hole, but if you focus on that all the time, you’re more likely to make an errant toss. It’s better to aim for the front of the board because chances are, there are many of your throws that will slide into the hole. And if not, your bag must be in a strategic position to block your opponent from shooting their bags at the hole.
4. Try to do spins.
Once you find the right grip, footwork, and do the basic throw, try to put a spin on the bag. This is what the top cornhole players do. They don’t just lob the bag, but they spin it using a pancake or flat style. The bag will spin horizontally to the ground at a slight downward angle, increasing the odds that the bag will slide right into the whole. To do this, keep your wrist straight and use your fingers to spin the bag as you toss it.
5. Enjoy.
Be relaxed and have fun. Keep your cool, because when you get tense, your game suffers.