How to Play Cornhole: Your Best Guide to Backyard Fun
Alana S. and Georgia S. August 2024
Ever wondered why everyone’s tossing bean bags around at the BBQ? Welcome to the world of Cornhole – the backyard game that can be played in many different ways. Whether you’re a newbie or a player with some experience, this guide will have you tossing bags like a winner in no time.
The Objective
Cornhole Boards: Two boards with a hole at the top end. The boards should be 24 inches wide and 48 inches long, with the hole centered 9 inches from the top.
What You’ll Need
Cornhole Bags: Eight bags, filled with corn kernels or plastic pellets. You’ll need two different colors, four bags of each, they should be 6 inches by 6 inches.
Explore our cornhole game range!
Setting Up
Position the Boards: Place the boards on a flat surface, facing each other, 27 feet apart for adults (but I suggest starting closer). The holes should be at the far ends.
Teams: Cornhole is usually played in teams of two. Each team stands beside one board.
The goal is simple: toss your bean bags into the hole on the opposite board. But, there’s more to it than just throwing a bag!
Scoring
In the Hole: 3 points for each bag that lands in the hole. It doesn’t count if it’s half in-half out.
On the Board: 1 point for each bag that lands and stays on the board. It doesn’t count if it bounces or slides from the ground to the board. It also doesn’t count if it’s on the board, and touching the ground at the same time.
Cancellation Scoring: Only one team can score in each round. Subtract the lower score from the higher score to get the points for that round. For example, if Team 1 scores 5 and Team 2 scores 3, Team 1 earns 2 points and Team 2 earns none.
Interfering Bags: If one bag knocks another bag off the board or into the hole, the score of that bag changes. Basically, at the end while counting the score ignore what happened in the game. The one exception to this rule is if it touched the ground at anytime, wherever it ends up it will still not score.
The first team to reach 21 points wins!
How to Play
Starting team: Decide which team goes first. You can flip a coin, play rock-paper-scissors, or just let the other team go first (it doesn’t make much of a difference).
Toss the Bags: Teams take turns tossing their bags, alternating after each throw. Aim for the hole, but landing on the board is still good for points!
Counting Up Points: Once all eight bags are tossed, tally up the points. Remember, only one team scores each round. The highest amount of points you can get in a game is 12, which would be really hard.
Switch Sides: After each round, players switch sides so they’re tossing from the opposite end.
Keep Going Until 21: Keep playing rounds until one team reaches exactly 21 points. If you go over 21, your score drops back down to 15, so be careful!
Some Extra Rules
There are some rules about where to stand when your throwing:
You and your teammate should both be standing on each side of a cornhole board. Your opponents should be doing the same with the other board.
You and your teammate should both be standing on each side of a cornhole board. Your opponents should be doing the same with the other board.
This might not be a rule but it might as well be. Throw underarm or the corn bag will be going everywhere but the board!
Tips for Tossing Like a Pro
The Perfect Height: Aim for a smallish arc when tossing the bag. Too low, and it will slide over; too high, and it might not reach the board.
Stance: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and step forward with your opposite foot to your throwing arm as you throw for better balance. Face your feet towards where you want to throw.
Focus on the Hole: Keep your eyes on the prize (the hole) and let your hand do its thing. Don’t overthink it!
Variations to Keep Things Interesting
Longer Distance: Feeling confident? Move the boards further apart.
Different Scoring: Play with different point values for landing on the board or making it in the hole.
Shorter Time: Not much time? First to 11 wins!
Wrap-Up
Cornhole is easy to learn, hard to master, and endlessly fun – it’s no wonder Cornhole is always at parties, barbecues, and picnics across the country. So grab your corn bags, set up those boards, and let the games begin!
Just remember: Practice does not make perfect, it makes progress, and a little friendly competition never hurt anyone. I hope you have learned a lot from this! Happy throwing!
Explore our Corn Hole Game Range!