Game rules : Cornhole
The essential rules of each game, available offline.
The bag-toss board game from the United States: you aim for the hole, first side to 21 points.
Overview
Cornhole is played with two inclined boards, each with a hole, set facing each other, and fabric bags filled with corn or resin pellets. Each side throws its bags at the opposite board to drop them into the hole or land them on the board.
Very popular in North America, cornhole is a precision game that is simple to grasp but tactical. It plays one against one or in teams, and cancellation scoring keeps every frame contested down to the last bag.
Origin and history
Cornhole is an American tossing game, particularly tied to the Midwest. Its name comes from the bags traditionally filled with corn kernels, though competition bags now hold moisture-resistant resin pellets.
Long a game of backyards and tailgate parties (before sports games), it became organised with associations and televised tournaments in the United States. It is gaining ground in Europe as a friendly outdoor game.
Goal
Be the first side to reach exactly 21 points.
Equipment
- Two inclined cornhole boards, each with a hole near the top.
- Eight fabric bags (four per side), in different colours.
- A clear area of about 8 metres between the two boards.
How a game unfolds
- Set the two boards facing each other at the regulation distance.
- Each side has four bags of one colour.
- Taking turns, players throw their bags at the board opposite.
- Once all eight bags are thrown, you count the frame points.
- The side that scored throws first in the next frame.
- You play frame after frame until a side reaches 21 points.
How to score
A bag in the hole is worth 3 points, on the board 1 point. Each round only the leading side scores the difference (cancellation scoring).
Scoring in detail
- A bag that goes into the hole is worth 3 points.
- A bag that stays on the board without falling off is worth 1 point.
- Scoring is by cancellation: you add each side points for the frame, then only the leading side scores the difference.
- Example: one side scores 7, the other 4, the first scores 3 and the other 0.
- The first side to reach exactly 21 points wins. Going over 21 drops the side back to 11 points in the house rule used here.
On one frame, each side has thrown its four bags. You first count each side raw points, then only the leading side scores the difference.
| Side | In the hole | On the board | Raw points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 2 bags (6) | 1 bag (1) | 7 |
| Blue | 1 bag (3) | 1 bag (1) | 4 |
Red scores 7, blue 4. With cancellation, you subtract: red scores 7 minus 4, so 3 net points. Blue scores nothing this frame. That is the mechanism that stops both sides from climbing together.
Winning
The first side to reach 21 points exactly wins the game.
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PlayFouls and special cases
- A bag that touches the ground before landing on the board is removed and does not count.
- Crossing the throwing line (foot fault) usually voids the bag.
- A bag that pushes another bag into the hole counts normally (3 points).
Tips to play well
- Aim first to land your bags on the board, near the hole: a bag on the board is already worth 1 point and can slide into the hole.
- Use one bag to push another towards the hole: a bag sitting in front of the hole acts as a ramp.
- Throw with a soft, arced motion: a bag that lands flat slides better than one thrown hard.
- Block the hole with a bag when you lead: you deny the opponent a 3-point throw.
A bit of strategy
- Because of cancellation, what matters is not your raw total but the gap with the opponent on the frame: sometimes defending beats attacking.
- Throw last if you can: seeing the opponent bags lets you adjust (aim for the hole to widen the gap, or push an opponent bag off the board).
- Watch the 21 threshold: avoid overshooting, or you drop back to 11 and lose much of your lead.
Variants
- You play one against one, or in teams of two placed diagonally across the two boards.
- Some house rules cap at 21 with no drop, others drop back to 15 or 11 on an overshoot.
- The distance and board height can be adapted for children.
Key points
- Bag in the hole: 3 points; on the board: 1 point.
- Both sides’ points cancel out each round.
- Going over 21 drops the side back to 11 points.
Frequently asked questions
How do you score in cornhole?
A bag in the hole is worth 3 points, a bag on the board 1 point. Each frame, you add both sides points then only the leading side scores the difference (cancellation scoring). First to 21 wins.
What happens if you go over 21 in cornhole?
It depends on the chosen rule. In the version used here, going over 21 drops the side back to 11 points. Other house rules simply cap at 21 with no drop.
How many bags per side in cornhole?
Each side has four bags, so eight bags in total per frame. Each side bags are a different colour so they can be told apart.
What is cancellation scoring in cornhole?
Each frame, the two sides points cancel out: only the side with the higher total scores, and only the difference. This stops both sides from progressing at the same time.