Cornhole is a great game that adds a lot of fun to any party. Additionally, it is also competitive and there are corn hole tournaments. Even if you don’t like sports in general, cornhole is a great choice. First, we have given a very brief description of how to play the game. Later on, you will find more rules explained in detail which would help you to win.
Setting up the game:
Cornhole is a competitive game. Each team consists of one or two players. There are 8 corn bags in total, four for each team. Two boards have to be placed in front of each other and at a distance of 27 feet from each other. A coin toss decides which team would start the game.
Getting the game started:
Both teams stand behind the line next to their board. It is important to remember that crossing or stepping on the foul line is not allowed.
Each team gets 8 bags to begin. The winner of the coin flip tosses first and the loser does so the second from the starting side. Players keep on throwing bags alternately until no more is left for throwing. Then the score is calculated and the winning team gets to throw first in the following round.
Counting the score:
- If a bag touches another bag or hits the ground during play, no point is given.
- If the bag falls on the surface without any foul, players get one score.
- If the bag goes through the hole without a foul, then 3 points are awarded.
- After each round, the points are tallied.
- Then the difference in the points is calculated.
- The point difference is added to the winner of the round.
- Ultimately, the first team to score 21 points wins.
The objective of the game is to try to successfully toss the bags through the cornholes. This can give them 3 points. But if the bag falls on the board’s surface, a team still gets a point.
What you’ll need (equipment) to play cornhole
- A big enough space where you can play. For example, a parking area or your backyard.
- Two cornhole boards. You will need two similar cornhole boards which are two feet by four feet in dimensions. These boards have a six-inch hole in the center, about nine inches from the top. Cornhole boards have bendable legs and when opened, they create a sloped surface. When opened, the boards’ playing surface should be 3-4 inches above the ground from the front and in the back, it should be 12 inches above the ground.
- Eight cornhole bags. There should be four bags of one color and four of another color. Cornhole bags typically weigh 15 to 16 ounces and the bag dimensions are 6 inches by 6 inches. Get these bags which are made with sturdy materials so that they can endure repeated gameplays and will last long.
Setting up your Cornhole court layout
Ideally, a cornhole court should be rectangular. It should be 40 to 45 feet long and 8 to 10 feet wide. Two cornhole boards should be correctly placed. Additionally, there must be the foul lines and dedicated pitcher’s boxes.
More Cornhole Gameplay Rules Explained
We have already mentioned the basic rules of Cornhole earlier, so you know the basics of how to play the game. The following explanation of some more rules will answer any question that you have about Cornhole rules:
Singles or Doubles Cornhole Matches
In a singles play, two players go up against each other. Whereas in a doubles match, a team consisting of 2 members contends against another team having 2 players. Though all the other rules remain the same, there is one difference between singles and doubles match. In the singles match, the two contestants keep pitching the corn bags from the same platform. While during a doubles match, two players of the same team pitch their bags from the corn hole platform on the opposite side.
Cornhole game innings
There are different innings in every corn toss play. And there is a top and bottom round in each inning. Innings help in maintaining the consistency of a match.
During a singles match, the top of an inning can be said to be complete when the first player has pitched all four corn bags. After the other contestant finishes pitching their bags, the bottom of the inning gets completed.
In a doubles play, the innings are a little slower because there are more players pitching. Again, when the first contestant of each team finishes pitching, the top of an inning is completed. And when the remaining players finish pitching their bags, the bottom is completed.
Fouls in the game
A Cornhole foul occurs when:
- A player’s foot goes past the corn hole boards’ front. This is termed a foot foul.
- A bag hits the ground but then lands on the board.
- A player goes out of turn.
When a player causes a foul, they lose the throw. As a result, their bag is removed if it lands on the playing surface.
If a bag knocks another bag in the hole or hits it, that bag will be placed back to where it was before the hit.
Helpful and winning tips:
- Keep your mind relaxed and calm. This is key to winning any game. If you get too flustered or excited, your game gets affected adversely.
- Focus correctly. Instead of trying to toss every bag through the hole, aim at the front of the board. There will be more chances of the bags slipping through the holes. And if not, your bags will create a block for your opponent.
- Using your fingers, spin the bags in a pancake or flat style. Putting a spin on a bag enhances its probability of sliding into the hole.
