What Are The Rules of Cornhole?
If you’re looking for the official cornhole rules, you can visit the ACL Website. Here’s a brief summary though.
The rules of cornhole are simple:
- Cornhole can be played in teams of 1 (singles) or 2 (doubles.) If playing doubles, teammates will stand at opposite boards, across from each other in the same lane.
- Each team has four bags.
- Teams take turns throwing their bags at the opposing team’s board.
- Bags that land on the board are worth one point.
- Bags that go through the hole are worth three points.
- Cancellation scoring is used, so only the difference in points scored counts. (e.g. if team A scores 5 and team B scores 3, team A will get 2 points)
- The first team to reach 21 points wins the game.
- There is no “bust rule” or win by 2 rule.
Here are some additional nuances used in competitive cornhole play :
- Players must release their bags with both feet behind the front of the board and one foot planted in the pitcher’s box.
- Players must release the bags with an underhand motion.
- Players cannot cross the foul line before their bag has landed on the board.
- If a bag hits the ground and then bounces onto the board, it is worth zero points.
- If a bag lands on the edge of the board and is touching the ground, it is worth zero points.
The most important rule however is to have fun!
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