Game Rules
Whether you've never thrown a cornhole bag before or you're a seasoned pro, the same rules apply to everyone. The official cornhole rules are very simple and easy to understand. All you need to do is follow a few basic steps, and you'll be ready to start playing.
The first official Cornhole game rules were established by the American Cornhole Association (ACA).
ACA was founded to standardize the game and ensure uniform rules for all players. Later, the American Cornhole League (ACL) and other organizations, such as the World Cornhole Organization (WCO), also developed their own versions of the rules. However, ACA was the first official institution to regulate the game.
In official rules, the game is played with two boards and 8 bags, but for casual play, it can also be played with one board. It can be played one-on-one or in pairs.
You will need:
One or two game boards.
8 game bags – each player or team gets 4 bags of the same color.
Game Setup:
If playing one-on-one (1 vs. 1):
When playing with one board, it is placed directly in front of both players at a distance of 8.23 meters.
When using two boards, they are also placed facing each other at a distance of 8.23 meters.
Both players stand on the same side, next to the board, and each has 4 bags of the same color.
Players take turns throwing bags until all 8 bags have been thrown.
If playing in teams (2 vs. 2):
Two boards are used, placed 8.23 meters (27 feet) apart, facing each other.
Each team has two players, called partners.
One team member stands by one board, and the other by the opposite board. The opposing team is positioned in the same way.
Partners take turns throwing: one teammate throws first, then the opponent on the opposite side, then the other teammate, and so on, until all 8 bags are thrown.
Starting the Game:
A coin toss determines which team or player starts the first round.
The player or team that wins the coin toss throws the first Cornhole bag toward the board.
If playing in teams, the team that scored the most points in the previous round starts the next round. If the previous round was a tie, the starting team remains the same.
Gameplay Rules:
If a Cornhole bag falls on the ground and then bounces onto the board, it is removed from the board.
The game continues until one player or team reaches or exceeds 21 points.
Scoring System:
At the end of each round, points are counted:
3 points – for a bag that lands in the hole.
1 point – for a bag that stays on the board's surface.
1 point – for a bag that hangs over the hole.
1 point – for a bag that hangs on the board's edge but does not touch the ground.
0 points – for a bag that touches both the board and the ground.
The final round result is determined by calculating the difference in points between both sides.
Example:
If one player or team scores 5 points, and the opponent scores 2, the winning side earns 3 points, and the losing side gets 0 points.
The player or team that wins the round throws first in the next round.
If both teams or players score the same number of points in a round, the throwing order remains unchanged.
Cornhole Game Fouls:
A foul occurs if:
A player steps over the throwing line (foot fault).
A player throws out of turn.
If a foul occurs, that throw is canceled, and the bag is removed from the board.
Additional Rules & Variations:
Some players use a rule where a team must score exactly 21 points to win. If a team exceeds this number, their score is reduced to 11, and the game continues.
Another variation requires a team to win by at least 2 points.
The throwing distance can be adjusted – for younger players, a 5-meter (16 feet) distance is recommended.
The most important thing is to enjoy the game and create your own “house rules” if desired!