Cornhole, also known as bean-bag-toss or sack-toss, is a popular outdoor game in the United States, especially during the summer months. The objective of cornhole is to accumulate points by landing a bag on a board or through a hole in the board.
According to historical records, the first patent for the game came out in 1882. Since then, cornhole has gained tremendous popularity, and its rules and scoring system have evolved.
Rules and Gameplay of Cornhole
Cornhole requires two sets of four bags, two boards, and between two to four players. The game boards are placed 27 to 33 feet apart from their bottom edges. Smaller versions of the game exist for kids, with proportionally sized boards, bags, and holes.
The areas immediately adjacent to the boards are known as "the pitcher's boxes". Players must adhere to a "foul line", which is a real or imagined line extending from the bottom edge of the board. Players cannot step over this line when making a throw.
In a singles game, the two players alternate throwing their bags at the opposite board. After all eight bags have been thrown, players walk to the opposite board to tally the score, then repeat the process from the opposite side.
In a doubles game (four players total), the two opposing players still alternate throwing their bags at the opposite board. The primary difference is, when they complete their round - their partner is on the other side to pick up their bags, and throw. You stay on one side for the entire game, when playing doubles.
Understanding Cornhole Scoring
Cornhole has a straightforward scoring system. Any bag that is resting on the board without touching the ground scores 1 point. If a bag falls through the hole—whether directly, by sliding down, or by being knocked by another bag—it scores three points.
If you’re looking for a cornhole scoring guide for all possible throws:
- 3 points for a cornhole bag that falls through the hole. This is called a “Bag In-The-Hole” or a “Cornhole”.
- 1 point for a cornhole bag that lands on the board’s surface. This is called either a “Bag In-The-Count” or a “Woody”.
- 1 point for a cornhole bag that is hanging into the hole, but has not fallen through (although some variations score this as a “Hanger” and award 2 points).
- 1 point for a cornhole bag that is hanging off the board but not touching the ground - 0 points if the cornhole bag is also touching the ground.
- 0 points if the cornhole bag is hanging off the edge, and resting on another cornhole bag that is on the ground. The exception being, if you can remove the bag underneath and your cornhole bag does not touch the ground - you are awarded 1 point.
Cancellation Scoring
The traditional cornhole scoring method is “cancellation”. Here, the player with the highest score for a round gets the difference in scores as their points.
For instance, if player 1 scores 10 points and player 2 scores 12 points in a round, player 2 is awarded 2 points. If both players score the same points, nobody gets points for that round. The game continues until a player accumulates a total of 21 points.
Winning Score Variations
- 21 Points: The most common winning score in cornhole is 21 points. In the standard variation of the game, the first team to reach (or pass) 21 points wins. Another variation on the 21-point game is that you have to score 21 points exactly to win - if you exceed this score, you revert back to 13 points and the game continues.
- 25 Points: Some games might be played to 25 points for a longer match.
- Win By 2: Depending on the rules, some people also like to play a variation in which you have to win by at least 2 points.
Since there are several variations, it's always a good idea to agree on the winning cornhole score and rules before you start playing.
Fouls
There are penalties for breaking certain rules during cornhole. Stepping over the foul line while throwing, throwing a bag that bounces before landing, or throwing a bag from the wrong box are all considered fouls.
A foul typically results in the offending bag being removed from play and no points being scored for that bag.
In some cases, an impacting foul might incur a point deduction by removing the highest scoring bag from the offending team's total for that round.
Tournament Play
Each Tournament may have its own set of unique rules - it’s important to verify these rules before you begin your game. Some common rules are:
- Spacing: boards will be placed 27 feet apart - measured from the front end of each board.
- Coin Toss: before each game a coin toss is done to determine who will go first.
- Winning Score: most tournaments use the standard cornhole scoring system, which declares the first person to reach a score of 21 the winner.
- Cancellation Scoring: since the cancellation, scoring is the official point scoring system for cornhole, this is the standard for tournaments.
- No Bounce Rule: any bags that hit the ground and bounce onto the board will not count, and that bag will be removed from the board.
- Protest/Discrepancy: If there is a disagreement, the tournament coordinator will decide on the play in question.
Keeping Score in Cornhole
To accurately track the score, using a scoreboard can be beneficial. Let's take a look at some good options.
1. Digital Cornhole Scoreboard from Keepthescore.com
A digital cornhole scoreboard presents several advantages such as sharing scores with a wider audience, maintaining a running total, and it costs significantly less than a physical scoreboard. We recommend Keepthescore.co for its user-friendly interface and reliability. Try Keepthescore.com for free.
2. Focusport Cornhole Scoreboard
This metal magnetic cornhole scoreboard is a perfect fit for cornhole games. Its powerful magnets make it easy to keep track of scores, and the integrated drink holder adds a convenient touch. Click here to purchase on Amazon.
Upstreet Portable Flip Scoreboard Review
This versatile scoreboard works well for a range of sports, including cornhole, volleyball, and table tennis. Simply place it in a visible location to start keeping score. Click here to buy on Amazon.
Cornhole FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about cornhole:
- How do you score points in cornhole: Points are scored by tossing bags into the hole (3 points), and onto the board (1 point).
- What is cancellation scoring in cornhole: Cancellation scoring means only one team scores per round. You subtract the lower point total from the higher, giving points only to the team with more bags on the board or in the hole.
- What is the objective of cornhole: The goal of cornhole is to be the first player to reach 21 points. Points are scored by landing bags either on the board, or through the hole of the board.
- What are the official cornhole board dimensions: Regulation cornhole boards are made of plywood and measure 4 feet deep by 2 feet wide (48 inches x 24 inches).
Conclusion
Whether you're playing a casual cornhole game at your friend’s house or competing in a tournament, understanding the scoring system is essential - lucky for you it’s quite simple.
By following the rules of cancellation scoring and keeping track of points with a scoreboard, you can ensure it’s a fair and enjoyable game for everyone.
In addition to the scoring system covered here, there are many other factors that can influence your cornhole game, such as developing a throwing technique, learning different throws, and strategizing your gameplay.
With a little practice and the right knowledge, you can become a cornhole champion!
NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
