How to Play Cornhole Official Rules and Game Setup Explained

by

Cornhole is a popular outdoor game that’s easy to learn yet competitive enough for tournaments. In this guide, you’ll discover exactly how to play cornhole, including official rules, how far apart cornhole boards should be, how many bags are used, scoring systems, and setup directions.

For players looking for casual or party variations of the game, check out this fun alternative: How to Play Cornhole: Rules for a Fun Party.

Table of Contents

How to Play Cornhole: Official Cornhole Equipment

To play by regulation rules, you’ll need:

  • Two cornhole boards
  • Eight cornhole bags (four of each color)

If you’d like to build your own set, follow this step-by-step guide: How to Make a Corn Hole Game: Step-by-Step DIY Guide.

How Many Bags Do You Need for Cornhole?

Each game uses eight bags total, four for each team. The bags should be filled with resin or corn and weigh approximately 16 ounces.

How to Set Up Cornhole: Board Placement & Distance

Wondering how far apart are cornhole boards in official play? Here’s how to set up:

  • Place boards 27 feet apart (front edge to front edge).
  • The pitching area extends 3 feet on each side of the board.
  • Players stand behind the front of their board when throwing.

Whether you’re asking how far apart do you set corn hole boards? or how far away are the boards in cornhole?, 27 feet is the answer for regulation games.

How Do You Set Up Cornhole Teams?

Cornhole is typically played with two or four players:

  • Singles: One-on-one with players switching sides after each round.
  • Doubles: Two teams of two, partners at opposite boards.

Each player or team uses one set of four bags.

How to Keep Score in Cornhole

Understanding how to keep score in cornhole is essential for fair play. Here’s the official scoring system:

  • In-the-hole (bag goes through the hole): 3 points
  • On-the-board (bag lands and stays): 1 point
  • Cancellation scoring: Points cancel out each round

For example, if Team A scores 5 points and Team B scores 3, Team A earns 2 points for that round.

How Do You Score in Corn Hole?

Players earn points based on bag placement:

  • A bag in the hole is 3 points.
  • A bag on the board is 1 point.
  • No points for bags on the ground.

Games are usually played to 21 points, and players must land exactly on 21 to win.

How to Play Cornhole: Basic Cornhole Rules

Here are the basic cornhole rules you need to know:

  • Players alternate throws until all 8 bags are thrown.
  • Only one player/team scores per round using cancellation scoring.
  • The team with the highest score in a round goes first in the next round.
  • The first to reach 21 points wins the game.

How to Play Cornhole: Cornhole Etiquette and Fouls

Avoid these common fouls:

  • Stepping past the front of the board while throwing.
  • Throwing out of turn.
  • Taking too long between throws.

A foul results in the tossed bag being removed from play.

FAQ on How to Play Cornhole

How many bags in cornhole?

Each game uses eight bags, four for each team or player.

How to set up corn hole at home?

Set boards 27 feet apart, grab eight bags, and set up a throwing area. Ensure there’s space behind each board for players to stand and toss.

How far apart are cornhole boards in backyard games?

While regulation distance is 27 feet, casual players may shorten it for space or accessibility.

Can you go over 21 in cornhole?

Official rules require players to land exactly on 21 to win. If a team scores over 21, their score resets to the previous round’s score.

Final Thoughts on How to Play Cornhole

This guide should give you everything you need to know about how to play cornhole the official way. Whether you’re competing in tournaments or just want accurate setup at your next BBQ, you’ll now have the right distances, bag count, and scoring knowledge.

For party-friendly tweaks and fun variations, don’t forget to explore:
How to Play Cornhole: Rules for a Fun Party

Visit our Outdoor & Lawn Games section for more fun outdoor games.