What Is Cornhole? A Beginner's Guide to Rules, Setup and Scoring
Cornhole is one of the easiest games to learn and one of the hardest to master. Two teams take turns tossing bags at a slanted board with a hole near the top. Land a bag on the board and you score a point. Sink it through the hole and you score three. That's really it, and it's why cornhole has become a staple at backyards, tailgates, weddings and bars, as well as a fast-growing competitive sport.
This guide covers everything you need to play your first game: the equipment, how to set up, how scoring works and a few tips to help you sink more bags.
What You Need to Play
Two cornhole boards. Regulation boards have a 24" x 48" playing surface with a 6" hole centered 9" from the top. The back of the board stands about 12" high, creating the slope.
Eight bags. Four for each side, in two contrasting colors so it's easy to tell whose bags are whose. Full-size bags are about 6" square and weigh roughly a pound.
A flat, open space. You'll need about 40 feet of length for a regulation court, plus room on each side for players to stand.
Place the boards facing each other, with the holes on the far ends.
Measure 27 feet between the front edges of the boards. That's the regulation distance for adults.
Line the boards up so they sit directly across from each other.
Mark the throwing area. Players stand beside their board, in a box roughly 3 feet by 4 feet called the pitcher's box, and shouldn't step past the front edge of the board when throwing.
Playing with kids or beginners? Move the boards closer together. Many families start around 15 to 20 feet and back up as everyone improves.
How to Play
Cornhole can be played one-on-one (singles) or two-on-two (doubles).
Singles: both players stand at the same board, one on each side, and throw toward the opposite board.
Doubles: teammates stand at opposite boards. Each pair of opponents throws from the same end.
Players alternate throws, one bag at a time, until all eight bags have been thrown. That's one round. In singles, players walk to the other end, add up the score and throw back. In doubles, the players at the other end take their turn.
How Scoring Works
Bag in the hole: 3 points, often called a "cornhole."
Bag on the board: 1 point. The bag must be resting on the playing surface when the inning ends. A bag touching the ground doesn't count.
Bag off the board: 0 points.
Most games use cancellation scoring: points from each side cancel each other out, and only the difference counts.
Example: Team Red sinks one bag (3 points) and has two on the board (2 points), for 5 points. Team Blue has three bags on the board, for 3 points. Red scores the difference, 2 points, for that round. Blue scores nothing.
The first team to reach 21 points at the end of an inning wins. Some casual games require winning by two or play to an exact 21, so agree on house rules before you start. Organized events follow their own official rules and do not use rules about going over 21.
Common Cornhole Terms
Airmail: a bag that goes straight into the hole without touching the board.
Slider: a bag that lands on the board and slides into the hole.
Blocker: a bag left in front of the hole to stop your opponent's slides.
Push: knocking a bag already on the board into the hole with your next throw.
Four-bagger: sinking all four of your bags in one inning.
Beginner Tips for a Better Throw
Throw underhand with a smooth, relaxed swing. Keep your arm straight and follow through toward the board.
Add a little spin. A flat, spinning bag lands softly and slides predictably instead of flopping or bouncing.
Aim for the board first. Landing bags about a foot in front of the hole sets up slides and pushes.
Use the same motion every time. Consistency wins more games than power.
Practice from regulation distance once you're comfortable, so your game carries over to leagues and tournaments.
Is Cornhole Just a Backyard Game?
Not anymore. Cornhole has organized leagues, sanctioned tournaments, player rankings and professional events broadcast on TV. Many competitive players started in the backyard, then joined a local league as they improved. You don't need tournament equipment to have fun, but if you catch the bug, there's plenty of room to grow.
Choosing Your First Cornhole Set
Boards: for family games and tailgates, lighter backyard boards are easy to carry and store. If you plan to practice regularly or join a league, Tournament Series boards with a 3/4" Baltic birch top give a quieter, more consistent landing. Playing by the pool or at the beach? Go with All-Weather boards.
Bags: beginners do best with forgiving, easy-to-control bags. Recreational bags are perfect for casual play. When you're ready to learn slides and blocks, try dual-sided pro cornhole bags, which have a slow side for control and a fast side for sliding.
Want a set that's uniquely yours? Design your own boards with our custom board builder.
Cornhole FAQs
How far apart are cornhole boards? 27 feet from front edge to front edge for regulation play. Shorten the distance for kids and casual games.
How many bags do you need? Eight: four per team, in two different colors.
How many points do you play to? 21, scored at the end of each inning using cancellation scoring.
What size are regulation cornhole boards? 24" x 48" with a 6" hole centered 9" from the top, standing about 12" high at the back.
Can you step past the board when throwing? No. Stepping past the front edge of the board is a foul, and that bag doesn't count.
What's the best cornhole set for beginners? A regulation 2x4 board set with eight recreational bags. It plays like the real thing and leaves room to upgrade as you improve.
