Cornhole is a popular backyard game that families and friends have enjoyed for generations. It’s a fun, simple, and competitive game that people of all ages and skill levels can play. But as with any game, knowing the rules is key to success and ultimately becoming a champion.
So let’s get ready to unleash your inner cornhole champion! Whether you’re new to the game or just looking for a refresher on the rules of cornhole, this article will cover everything you need to know about how to play this classic tailgating favorite.
We’ve got you covered from setting up your boards properly to scoring points like a pro. So grab your bags and let’s dive into the world of cornhole!
Playing Area
Before we delve into the rules of cornhole, let’s first take a look at the playing area. The official court size for cornhole is 8 feet wide and 40 feet long, with each board placed 27 feet apart from front edge to front edge.
The boards themselves are two wooden platforms that measure 2 feet by 4 feet with a hole cut out near one end. The hole should be exactly 6 inches in diameter and centered 9 inches from the back and 12 inches from each side of the platform.
Each player or team starts on opposite ends of the court, with one pitching from behind one board while their opponent pitches from behind the other. It is important that players stay within their designated pitching areas during gameplay.
Now that you have an understanding of the playing area, it’s time to get into the rules for scoring points and throwing bags!
Cornhole Bags
Cornhole bags are an essential component of the game, and it’s important to understand their specifications. A standard cornhole bag is made of cloth and filled with approximately 1 pound of feed corn. The dimensions of a regulation bag are 6 inches by 6 inches, and they should weigh between 14-16 ounces.
Players toss the bags at the board from a distance of 27 feet for official games; however, this distance can be adjusted based on skill level or available space. Each player gets four bags to throw in each inning/round.
It’s worth noting that there is no specific order in which players must alternate throws – some players prefer to take all four throws themselves before allowing their opponent to throw, while others may alternate after each throw. As long as both teams agree on how turns will be taken, any method is acceptable.
Also keep in mind that the bags cannot touch the ground before landing on the board surface – if they do, they’re considered “foul” and do not count for points. This rule applies regardless of whether or not the bag lands on its edge or bounces off another bag already thrown onto the court.
Basic Rules
If you’re new to cornhole, here are some basic rules to help get you started:
- Cornhole is played with two boards set up 27 feet apart from each other.
- Each board has a hole in it that is 6 inches in diameter and centered 9 inches from the top of the board.
- The game can be played with either two or four players, divided into teams of two.
- Each team takes turns throwing their bags at their opponent’s board during an inning.
- An inning consists of each team taking four throws (or pitches) per round.
- The player pitching on one end will pitch all four bags before switching places with their opponent for the next inning.
Now let’s talk about scoring:
- A bag that lands on the ground before landing on the board does not count and should be removed from play.
- A thrown bag that goes through the hole in the board counts for three points.
- A bag that lands on the board and stays there until scoring is counted as worth one point.
Cancellation Scoring: - In cancellation scoring, only one team can score per round or “inning”. If both teams have landed bags but a different number for points, then only those who gained points shall retain them
- For example: if Team A scores 2 points while Team B only scores 1 point, then Team A gets 1 point since they scored more than Team B.
There you have it! Those are some of the basic rules of cornhole to help get you started. As you continue playing, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and have fun!
Scoring
Scoring in cornhole is quite simple. A bag that falls through the hole is worth three points, while a bag that lands on the board and stays there at the end of an inning is worth one point. If a bag touches the ground before landing on the board, it’s considered a foul and doesn’t count towards any score.
It’s worth noting that only one team can score per inning. For example, if Team A scores two points in an inning but Team B scores one point, only Team A will receive those two points for that round.
The game is played until one team reaches 21 points or more (a match may be set to go up to 25 or even higher), with teams taking turns throwing bags each inning. The first team to reach this number wins!
And just like in baseball, each round of throws is called an “inning.” Each player gets four bags per inning, so make sure you use them wisely!
Now that you understand how scoring works, let’s move onto some of the other rules you need to know to become a cornhole champion!
Tossing the Bags
Tossing the bags is the most important part of playing cornhole. Each player throws from behind one board towards the opposite board. The first player to throw is determined by a coin toss or another method agreed upon by both players/teams.
During each round, players take turns tossing their bags until all eight bags have been thrown. After all eight bags have been thrown, scoring occurs for that inning.
When throwing the bag, it must be delivered within an arc and release from the hand of the contestant in such a manner that it lands on the surface of his/her opponents’ court without touching any other portion of his opponent’s ground or court. The throw must also not exceed 12 inches in height during its travel toward the board.
Players are also required to keep their feet behind the front edge of their own board while throwing. If a player crosses this line before releasing their bag, they will get a foul and lose their turn.
Remember that each bag thrown counts as an attempt, so you need to be strategic about trying to score points while also avoiding penalties if your bag doesn’t land where you want it to go.
Overall, just remember to stay within these guidelines when pitching your cornhole bags and make sure you’re following proper techniques so you can consistently hit those big points and win games!
Cancellation Scoring
Cancellation scoring is one of the unique aspects of cornhole that sets it apart from other backyard games. The basic idea behind cancellation scoring is that only one player/team can score in each inning or round.
Let’s say Player 1 scores two points by getting one bag on the board and another in the hole, while Player 2 scores one point by getting a bag on the board. In this case, Player 1 will earn one point for that round (since they only get credit for the highest-scoring bag), and Player 2 won’t earn any points at all.
You might be wondering what happens if both players/teams score the same number of points in a round. In this case, it’s called a “wash” and no points are awarded to either player/team.
Cancellation scoring adds an extra layer of strategy to cornhole, since players must not only focus on scoring as many points as possible but also preventing their opponent from earning any points at all. It also helps keep games competitive when there’s a skill gap between contestants.
So remember: with cancellation scoring, only the highest-scoring bags count towards your score each inning/round!
Playing the Cornhole Board
Playing the cornhole board is the most important part of the game, and it’s where your skills as a player really come into play. Here are some rules you need to follow when playing on the cornhole board:
- The boards should be placed 27 feet apart from front edge to front edge.
- Players take turns throwing their bags at their opponents’ board.
- Each player must throw all four of their bags in a round before their opponent can start throwing.
- Players stand behind the pitcher’s box (the area behind each board) and throw from there.
- The first team to reach or exceed 21 points after an inning wins.
It’s worth mentioning that there are different techniques for throwing your bag, such as pitching it with an arc or tossing it straight. Choose what works best for you, but always make sure you throw within the count.
Remember, every point counts – even those that bounce off the ground first. And if any contestant interferes with another contestant’s toss during a match, they will lose their turn.
Playing on a properly maintained surface is important too – no one wants to play on boards that aren’t level or have damaged surfaces. So always check them before starting a game!
By following these basic playing rules, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an official cornhole champion!
Winning The Game
The goal of the game is to be the first team or player to reach 21 points. However, there’s a catch – you have to win by at least two points. This means that if both teams are tied at 20-20, the game will continue until one team pulls ahead by two points.
To keep track of your score during the game, simply add up the points each team has scored on each round or inning. If a bag lands on the board, it’s worth one point. If a bag goes through the hole, it’s worth three points.
Remember that only bags that remain on the playing surface after all throws have been made count towards your score. Any bags that hit the ground before coming to rest or bounce off of another bag do not count towards your score.
So play hard and aim true! With these rules in mind, you can unleash your inner cornhole champion and dominate every match you play!
What Are Some Proven Methods to Master the Rules of Cornhole?
To become a Cornhole master, you must employ proven methods to improve cornhole skills. Firstly, practice regularly to enhance your throwing accuracy and consistency. Secondly, focus on your stance and grip, aiming to achieve a comfortable and stable position. Additionally, analyzing your opponents’ strategies can offer valuable insights for honing your own techniques. Lastly, participating in competitive games and seeking guidance from experienced players can greatly contribute to mastering the rules of Cornhole.
Advanced Rules
If you’re ready to take your cornhole game to the next level, it’s time to dive into some of the advanced rules. Don’t worry, these aren’t too complicated and they can add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the game.
- Skunk Rule: An official match can be won by a score of 21-0 if one team fails to score any points during the entire match.
- Bonus Points: If a player throws a bag through the hole without touching any part of the board or ground, that’s called an “airmail” shot and is worth three points instead of one.
- No Bounce Rule: Bags must be thrown directly onto the board without first bouncing on the ground in front of it. Any bags that bounce before landing on the board are removed from play.
- Interference Rule: Players may not interfere with their opponents’ throws in any way. This includes standing too close to them or purposely distracting them during their pitch.
- Blocking The Hole Rule: Once a bag lands partially or completely covering the hole, no other bags may be tossed on top of it for any reason.
Remember, these advanced rules aren’t mandatory and should only be used if all players agree beforehand. With these rules in mind, you’ll have even more fun mastering this classic outdoor game!
Skunk Rule
The skunk rule is a fun but brutal addition to cornhole games. It’s a way to really drive home just how much better one team played than the other. Here’s how it works:
If one team reaches 21 points before their opponent has scored any points, they win by “skunking” their opponent.
For example, if Team A scores 21 points while Team B still has a score of zero, then Team A wins by skunking their opponents.
This can be an embarrassing and humbling experience for the losing team, so make sure everyone is aware of this rule before starting the game.
Note that some players may choose not to play with this rule in effect as it can add insult to injury after a particularly lopsided game. However, if both teams are on board with playing under this rule then go ahead and have at it!
Bonus Points
In addition to the basic scoring system, there are some bonus points that can be earned during a game of cornhole.
The first way to earn bonus points is with an “airmail” shot. This is when you throw the bag directly into the hole without touching the ground or board. An airmail shot is worth three points, which is one point more than a regular bag in the hole.
Another way to earn bonus points is by throwing a bag that lands on top of another bag already on the board. This is called a “stacker.” If your stacker stays on top of another bag and doesn’t touch the ground or fall off, it’s worth two additional points.
Lastly, if you manage to throw all four bags through the hole during one round (also known as “going clean”), you’ll score an extra three points for a total of 12 points in that inning.
It’s important to note that these bonus point opportunities are not official rules and may vary from game to game depending on who you’re playing with. However, they can add an extra level of excitement and challenge for more experienced players looking to up their cornhole ante. So go ahead and give them a try!
No Bounce Rule
Another important rule of cornhole is the “No Bounce Rule.” According to this rule, a bag must not bounce off the ground or any other surface before landing on the board; otherwise, it’s considered foul and should be removed from play.
This rule prevents players from using excessive force while throwing the bags. It also ensures fair play between opponents by eliminating any accidental rebounds that may provide an unfair advantage to one team.
To keep things simple, it’s best to stick with bags that land on the board without bouncing. If you’re unsure if a thrown bag bounced or not, consult with your opponent for clarification. Remember, honesty and sportsmanship are crucial in all games of cornhole!
Interference Rule
The interference rule in cornhole is an important one to keep the game fair and enjoyable for all players. In short, it states that any object or player that interferes with the bags or boards during play will result in a nullified throw.
This means that if a player’s bag hits another object on its way to the board, whether it be a person, animal, or even another bag, the throw does not count. Additionally, if an opponent intentionally interferes with a bag or board during play, then they may be penalized by forfeiting their next turn.
It’s important to note that this rule only applies when interference occurs during active play. For example, if a player accidentally bumps into another contestant while walking back from throwing their bags and no mess was made on the court surface nor did any bag got dislodged due to bumping incident – there would be no penalty under this particular rule.
By enforcing this rule strictly but fairly throughout your games of cornhole you allow for everyone involved to have fun without unnecessary interruptions due to accidental contact or intentional blocks.
Blocking the Hole Rule
The blocking the hole rule is an important one to know when playing cornhole. This rule states that during gameplay, a player cannot intentionally block the hole with their foot or any other object. Doing so could prevent the opponent from scoring and is considered foul play.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t accidentally block the hole while throwing your beanbag. If your bag hits another bag or lands on top of it in front of the hole, it’s known as a “Bulldozer” and can be left there until cleared.
It’s also worth noting that if a bag bounces off of another object before landing in front of the board or blocking the hole unintentionally, it still counts as a valid throw and will be scored accordingly.
As with all rules in cornhole, fair play and good sportsmanship should always be practiced. Blockages caused by accidental throws happen frequently but intentionally blocking the hole could result in penalties being issued by an official during competitive matches.
– What Are the Key Strategies for Mastering Cornhole and Winning Like a Pro?
Mastering the art of winning at cornhole like a pro requires a combination of precision, focus, and technique. Key strategies include practicing regularly to improve aim and control, mastering different throwing styles, and studying opponents for game-winning opportunities. With dedication and strategy, anyone can achieve success in cornhole.
Conclusion
Cornhole is a fun and easy-to-learn game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. By now, you should have a good understanding of the basic rules of cornhole, including how to score points and toss the bags. Remember, each round consists of four throws per team (two throws for each player) with the goal being to land as many bags on the board or in the hole as possible.
To win, you must be the first team to reach 21 points (or more if playing with advanced rules). If both teams have reached 21 points at the end of an inning, then play continues until one team has a higher score at the end of an inning.
While there are some advanced rules that can add extra challenges and excitement to your game, mastering these basic rules is enough for most casual players. So grab your cornhole boards and bags, gather your friends or family members, and get ready for some friendly competition!