Rules, Scoring, Setup, and Game Play Made Simple
Whether you’re picking up a cornhole bag for the first time or refreshing your skills before your next tournament, this guide teaches you how to play cornhole using official rules, proper scoring, and game play strategies.
Cornhole Is Simple, Addictive, and Fun
Cornhole is one of the easiest games to learn, but once you start playing, it’s hard to stop. Whether you’re playing in the backyard, at a party, in a league, or at a tournament, knowing the basic rules makes the game more fun for everyone.
This guide will help you understand:
- How to set up the boards
- How to score points
- What counts as a foul
- How singles and doubles games work
- Basic gameplay rules and tie-breakers
- Tips for new players
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How to Play Cornhole: Step-by-Step
Learning how to play cornhole starts with understanding the equipment and objective.
Two boards are placed 27 feet apart, and players take turns tossing four bags toward the opposite board.
- Bag on the board = 1 point
- Bag through the hole = 3 points
The first team to reach 21 points wins using cancellation scoring.
How to Set Up a Cornhole Game
Before you can learn how to play cornhole, you need the correct setup.
Board specs (official ACL regulation):
- Board surface: 48″ long x 24″ wide
- Hole: 6″ diameter, centered 9″ from the top and 12″ from each side
- Board height: raised 3-4″ at the front, 12″ at the back (approx. 10-degree tilt)
Distance:
Cornhole boards are placed facing each other, 27 feet from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other.
Each player stands beside their board in the pitcher’s box and tosses toward the opposite board. Players must release the bag before their foot crosses the foul line, which sits even with the front edge of the board.
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How Scoring Works
Cornhole uses cancellation scoring, meaning only one player or team scores per round.
Example:
Team A scores 7 points.
Team B scores 4 points.
Team A earns 3 points for that round.
Team B’s points cancel out an equal number of Team A’s.
Play continues until one team reaches exactly 21. If a team goes over 21 in a round, some house and league rules require them to replay that round (check your local league’s variation — the ACL uses straight cancellation with no bust rule).
Common Fouls in Cornhole
Knowing what doesn’t count is just as important as knowing what does when learning how to play cornhole. A bag doesn’t score if:
- It touches the ground before landing on the board (unless it slides up onto the board surface — this still counts)
- The thrower’s foot crosses the foul line before release
- It’s thrown before the previous round has fully ended
- It comes to rest on the ground, under the board, or against the legs
A bag that ends up in the hole after sliding across the board still scores 3 points. A bag that hits the ground first and then lands on the board is a foul and is removed from play.
Singles vs. Doubles: How to Play Cornhole Both Ways
Singles
One player competes against another player. Both players throw from the same side for each round.
Doubles
Two teams of two players compete. One player from each team stands at each board, directly across from each other.
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Common Cornhole Rules Every Player Should Know
If you’re learning how to play cornhole, these are the rules you’ll use in almost every game:
- Stay behind the foul line.
- Alternate throws — one player/team throws all 4 bags, then the other.
- Four bags per player, per round.
- First to exactly 21 wins.
- Cancellation scoring determines round winners.
- The team that scored last round throws first in the next round.
How To Play Cornhole FAQ
How far apart are cornhole boards?
27 feet, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other.
How many points do you need to win cornhole?
21 points, using cancellation scoring.
What happens if a bag bounces off the ground and onto the board?
It’s a foul. The bag is removed from play and doesn’t count toward your score.
Can you win by going over 21?
The first team to reach or exceed 21, WINS
What’s a cornhole “airmail”?
A throw that goes directly through the hole without touching the board first, worth the same 3 points as any other bag through the hole.
Want Better Boards or Bags?
Once you know the rules on how to play cornhole, the next step is having the right gear.
Cornhole Addicts offers the best cornhole boards, bags, and gear built for players who love the game.
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