What Are The Official Cornhole Rules?

Cornhole is a team game played outdoors that has gained immense popularity in recent years. Each team consists of two players and involves tossing small bags filled with corn onto a raised, slanted platform with a hole at the far, raised end. The goal of this social game is to score points by tossing the bags through the hole or landing them on the platform.

Although cornhole is a relatively simple game, there are rules that need to be followed in order to play the game correctly and fairly. In this article, we’ll discuss the official cornhole rules and cover everything you need to know in order to play the game like a pro.

Equipment for the Game

Before diving into official cornhole rules, it’s important to understand the equipment required to play the game. The main equipment needed to play include:

2 cornhole boards: These are wooden platforms with a raised hole at one end
8 corn-filled bags: These bags should be filled with dried corn and have dimensions of 6 inches by 6 inches.
Measuring tape: This is used to determine the distance between the boards.
Scoreboard: This can be a simple dry-erase board or paper and pen to keep track of the scores.

Official Cornhole Rules

Now that we’ve laid out the necessary equipment for the game let’s get into the official cornhole rules.

Setting Up the Game

To start the game, two teams with two members each need to be chosen. The cornhole boards need to be placed 27 feet apart from each other, making sure the holes face each other. Players should be positioned on the same side as their partner, with the opposite team positioned on the other board.

How to Score

In order to score points in cornhole, players must toss their bags through the hole or land them on the platform. If a bag gets tossed through the hole, it is worth three points. If it lands on the platform, it is worth one point. However, if the bag on the platform touches the ground or bounces off the board, that point does not count.

The score for the round is calculated by subtracting the points of the lower-scoring team from the higher one. For example, if Team A scores 5 points and Team B scores 3 points, Team A would earn 2 points for that round. The first team that reaches 21 points total wins the cornhole game!

Playing the Game

Cornhole is typically played in a best-of-3 or best-of-5 format, where the first team to win two or three games, respectively, wins the overall match. Each team takes turns throwing their bags toward the opposite board. Teams can also choose to alternate throws or have all players from one team throw their bags before the other team.

Following Gameplay Rules

In addition, there are a few rules that must be followed during gameplay:

Players must stay behind the front of the board when throwing.
Bags cannot be touched once they are thrown and must come to a complete stop before being picked up.
Players cannot interfere with their opponent’s throws.

There Are Fouls

There are a few instances where fouls may occur during the game of cornhole. These include:

Stepping over the foul line while throwing.
Touching any part of the board or platform while throwing.
Throwing out of turn.

If a player commits a foul, their throw is considered invalid, and they do not earn any points for that round.

The Joy of Cornhole

Cornhole is a fun and simple outdoor game that can be enjoyed by adults and children. By following the official cornhole rules, you ensure everyone has a fair and enjoyable game. So grab your bags, find a partner, and have a wonderful time playing this popular and social game! Happy tossing!

Image Source: Freepik