Singles or Doubles Play
Innings
Value of Each Corn Bag Thrown
Deliver of Corn Bags During Play
Position of Contestants During Delivery
Length of The Game
Foul Corn Bags
Cancellation Scoring
Pitching Distances
How to Play
Regulations

• Singles Or Doubles Play
  

  Cornhole can be played as a doubles or singles game. In doubles play, two contestants are partnered against another team of two contestants; in singles play, contestants compete heads-up.

  In doubles play, one member of each team pitches from one Cornhole platform and the other member pitches from the other Cornhole platform. In singles play, both contestants pitch from the same Cornhole platform.

• Innings
  Every Cornhole match is broken down into innings of play. During each inning there are a top and a bottom round of play.

In doubles play, the top of an inning is completed when both contestants pitching from the first Cornhole platform pitch all 4 of their corn bags; the bottom of the inning is completed when the remaining contestants (pitching from the other Cornhole platform) pitch all 4 of their corn bags.

In singles play, the top of an inning is completed when the first contestant pitches all 4 of their corn bags; the bottom of the inning is completed when the remaining contestant pitches all 4 of their corn bags.

An inning is never completed until all contestants pitch all 4 corn bags.

• Value of Each Corn Bag Thrown
  
  1. Corn Bag In-The-Hole - A corn bag in-the-hole (or Hole-In) is a corn bag which is thrown through the hole in the Cornhole platform or otherwise comes to rest inside the Cornhole platform (knocked in by another player or an act of God). A corn bag in-the-hole has a value of three points.
     
     
  2. Corn Bag On-The-Board - A corn bag that is not in-the-hole but lands with any portion of the corn bag resting on the Cornhole platform is on-the-board. A corn bag on-the-board has a value of one point. For a corn bag to count, it must not touch the ground or any other portion of the court prior to coming to rest on the Cornhole platform. If a corn bag touches the ground before coming to rest on the Cornhole platform, it is a foul and must be removed from the Cornhole platform prior to the continuation of play.
     
     
  3. Corn Bag Out-Of-The-Count - A corn bag that comes to rest anywhere except on-the-board or in-the-hole is out-of-the-count and has no scoring value. A corn bag that is declared a foul is considered to be out-of-the-count (no matter where it comes to rest) and must be removed from the Cornhole surface prior to the continuation of play.
     
     
• Delivery of Corn Bags During Play
  
  1. In doubles play, the first side of contestants alternate pitching corn bags until they have thrown all four corn bags, then the remaining contestant (pitching from the other Cornhole platform) continue to alternate in the same manner until all four corn bags are delivered and the inning completed. Delivery in singles play is handled in the same manner (but from the same platform) with each of the two contestants alternating their pitching of corn bags until all four of their corn bags have been pitched completing the inning.
     
     
  2. A contestant may deliver the corn bag from either the left or right pitchers box (see above) but, in any one inning, all corn bags must be delivered from the same pitcher’s box.
     
     
  3. Each individual contestant shall deliver the corn bag within 20 seconds. The time shall start when the contestant steps onto the pitcher’s box with the intention of pitching.
     
     
• Pitching Rotation During The Game
  The contestant who scored in the preceding inning shall pitch first in the next inning. If neither pitcher scores, the contestant who pitched second (last) in the preceding inning shall pitch first in the next inning.
  
  
• Position of Contestants During Delivery
  1. The pitcher must maintain constant contact with the designated pitcher's box (See diagram above) during the entire address and release of the corn bag. The only exception is for junior and physically challenged contestants, who must simply remain completely behind the 21 ft. foul line when the corn bag is released. The opponent, while not pitching, shall stand behind the Cornhole platform at least 2 feet to the rear of the contestant who is pitching. After a short distance contestant (junior or physically challenged) pitches first they must return to the Cornhole platform if the opponent or any contestant on an adjacent court is a full distance pitcher.
     
     
  2. If both contestants use the same pitchers box to deliver their corn bags, the contestant pitching first should cross over to the other pitchers box in front of the Cornhole platform and then move to the proper position. (see #1 above) As the first contestant is crossing in front the second contestant should be crossing over in back and mounting the pitchers box from the rear. If both contestants use opposite pitchers boxes, the contestant who pitches first should step directly back to the proper position described in #1 of this section.
     
     
• Length of The Game
  
  The Cornhole / Corn Toss match shall be played until the first team of contestants reaches (or exceeds) 21 points at the completion of an inning. The winning team does not need to win by two or more points.

The Cornhole / Corn Toss match can never end in the middle of an inning. Thus, if a team that pitches first reaches or exceeds 21 points, the game cannot end until the other side is allowed to pitch all of their corn bags and the inning is completed.

If the Cornhole match is tied at 21 or more at the end of an inning, play continues until one team or the other achieves a higher score at the end of an inning and wins the match.

The game shall be played to 21 unless a team scores 7 or more points at the end of an inning before their opponents score any points. If this is the case, the game is a skunk and the team that scores 7 or more point’s wins the match.

Handicapping - Handicapping may be used in open tournaments and league play. The amount of the handicap shall be determined by the tournament host or Judge

• Foul Corn Bags
  
  A foul corn bag is a corn bag which was delivered in non-compliance with one of the rules of the game. It scores as a corn bag out of the count and is to be removed from the Cornhole / Corn Toss court before any more corn bags are pitched. Corn bags already in the court that have been knocked into foul territory by a foul corn bag should be returned to the scoring area. Additionally, corn bags that are in the count, but are knocked into the hole by a foul corn bag must be returned to their original scoring position.
  
  
  1. The following are rule violations that must be spotted and called by a contestant or assigned judge. The penalty is to declare the corn bag a foul corn bag, which requires the corn bags to be removed from the court prior to resuming play.

     (a) Any corn bag pitched when the contestant has made contact with or crossed over the foul line before the corn bag is released.
     
     (b) Except as provided above, any corn bag pitched when the contestant has started or stepped completely outside the pitching box before releasing the corn bag.
     
     (c) Any corn bag not delivered within the twenty-second time limit.
     
     (d) A corn bag pitched from a different pitchers box than the first corn bag.
     
     (e) Any corn bag that contacted the court or the ground before coming to rest on the Cornhole platform.
     
     (f) Any corn bag which struck a previously defined object such as a tree limb, wire, indoor court ceiling, etc.
     
     (g) Any corn bag that leaves a contestant's hand once the final forward swing of the delivery process has started shall count as a pitched corn bag. A corn bag that is accidentally dropped by a contestant before the final forward swing has started shall not be considered foul and may be picked up and pitched.
     

  2. A contestant's corn bags shall be called foul if the contestant removes any corn bag before the scoring of that corn bag has been agreed upon. A judge shall be called if a decision cannot be reached. The judge shall determine the scoring for the inning.
     
     Protests - If a contestant desires to make a protest, the protest shall be made to the judge or tournament official at the time the problem occurs. The tournament judge shall make the final ruling on all protests.
     

• Cancellation Scoring
  
  In cancellation scoring, corn bags in-the-hole and corn bags on the board pitched by opponents during an inning (singles play) or half of an inning (doubles play) cancel each other out. Only non-cancelled corn bags are counted in the score for the inning.

1. Corn Bags In-The-Hole – Hole-ins (HI’s) cancel each other. A corn bag in-the-hole of one contestant shall cancel a corn bag in-the-hole of his competitor and those corn bags shall not score any points. Any non- cancelled corn bag in-the-hole scores three points.
   
2. Corn Bags On-The-Board – Corn bags on-the-board cancel each other. A corn bag on-the-board of one contestant shall cancel a corn bag on-the-board of the opponent and those corn bags shall not score any points. Any non-cancelled corn bags in-the-count score one point each.

Cancellation scoring may be easily calculated as follows

1. The points of both contestants are calculated for hole-ins and on-the-board corn bags.
   
   
2. The points of the lowest scoring contestant for hole-in corn bags are subtracted from the points of the highest scoring contestant for hole-in corn bags. The result is the hole-in score for the highest scoring contestant. The hole-in score for the lowest scoring contestant is zero.
   
   
3. The points of the lowest scoring contestant for in-the-count corn bags are subtracted from the points of the highest scoring contestant for in-the-count corn bags. The result is the in-the-count score for the highest scoring contestant. The in-the-count score for the lowest scoring contestant is zero.
   
   
4. The hole-in score for each contestant is added to the in-the-count score for each contestant to derive the recorded score for the inning.
   

In this manner hole-in and in-the–count corn bags from each contestant or team of contestants are cancelled out and only non cancelled corn bags are counted in the score.

• Pitching Distances
  
  
  
  
  1. Adults - All open adult contestants shall pitch from the pitcher’s box behind the 30 foot foul lines. Physically impaired adults or seniors may, if agreed by all contestants, observe the 21 foot foul lines.
     
  2. Juniors - Junior contestants may pitch from any place, but must observe the 21 foot foul lines

 

 

How to Play Cornhole

The Cornhole match starts with contestants or teams of contestants tossing a coin to determine the order of play. The winner of the coin toss chooses to pitch their corn bags first or second.

In doubles play a member form each team pitches from one Cornhole platform and the remaining contestants pitch from the other Cornhole platform.

The side that plays first alternates pitching their corn bags until all four of their corn bags are pitched by each contestant. The contestants playing from the other Cornhole platform then alternate pitching until all four of their corn bags are pitched by each contestant and the inning is completed.

Cornhole is always played in complete innings. For doubles an inning is complete when the contestants pitching from both Cornhole platforms have pitched all of their corn bags.

After each side of an inning (doubles play) or each inning (singles play), the contestants examine the location of their corn bags and record the score. The points for each team and the innings played are generally recorded on a scoreboard or other device that all contestants can easily see and review for accuracy.  

A corn bag in-the-hole (hole-in) is worth 3 points and a corn bag on the Cornhole platform is worth 1 point. Play continues in this manner until a team has 21 or more points at the end of an inning.

Cancellation scoring is generally used in Official Cornhole Tournament play. This method of scoring requires that opponents hole-in corn bags and on-the-board corn bags cancel each other out and no score is recorded.

To illustrate, if the first contestant lands two corn bags in-the hole and two corn bags on-the-board and the second contestant lands two corn bags in-the-hole and two on-the-board, the score for both contestants would be zero as both corn bags in-the-hole and corn bags on-the-board have cancelled each other out.

To further illustrate:
If the first contestant lands one corn bag in the hole and one corn bag on-the-board and the second contestant lands one corn bag on-the-board, the score for the first contestant would be 3 and the score for the second contestant would be zero as the bag in-the-hole would count and the two corn bags on-the-board (one from each team) cancel each other out.

Alternatively, if the first contestant lands no corn bags in-the-hole or on-the-board and the second contestant lands two corn bags on-the-board, the score for the first contestant would be 0 and the score for the second contestant would be 2 as only bags from the second contestant landed on the Cornhole platform and there is no cancellation.

Lastly, if the first contestant lands one corn bag in-the-hole and none on-the-board and the second contestant lands two corn bags on-the-board, the score for the first contestant would be 3 and the score for the second contestant would be 2 as only bags from the first contestant landed in-the-hole and only corn bags from the second contestant landed on-the-board and there is no cancellation.

Corn bags on-the-board may be knocked off the Cornhole platform or in-the-hole by an opponent or by that contestants other corn bags. Where the corn bag ultimately lands determines the scoring.

The contestant or team that scores 21 points at the end of an inning is declared the winner of the match. There is no requirement to win by two or more points. The match, however, is never over until the inning is complete and both contestants or teams of contestants have pitched all their corn bags.

The match can never end in a tie and play continues at or above 21 points until one contestant or team of contestants has a higher score at the end of the inning.

 

Regulations, Platforms and Corn Bags

A Cornhole / Corn Toss court shall be a level rectangular area 10 ft wide and a minimum of 45 ft long. The court should consist of two corn platforms, designated pitchers boxes and foul lines. A north-south setting is recommended for outdoor courts to minimize the effects of the sun.

1. Each Cornhole platform shall be a 48" x 24" rectangle made of ½ inch plywood. ACA sanctioned tournaments should only be played with wooden Cornhole platforms as there is significant variance in play between wooden and plastic or other surfaces.
    
2. The hole in the Cornhole platform shall be six inches in diameter and be centered nine inches from the top and 12 inches from each side of the Cornhole platform edges.
    
3. The front of the Cornhole platform shall be approximately 4 inches from bottom to top and be at near a 90-degree angle to the ground.
    
4. The back of the Cornhole platform shall be approximately 12 inches from bottom to top and be at near a 90-degree angle to the ground.
    
5. The Cornhole platform should have solid wood sides with the only opening to the underside of the Cornhole platform being through the hole in the Cornhole platform. Although portable fold-down platforms are acceptable (with open sides), platforms with solid wooden sides are preferred for ACA sanctioned tournament play as it is sometimes difficult (especially late in the day) to determine if a corn bag was pitched into the hole or came to rest under the Cornhole platform by being pitched through the open sides in a Cornhole platform.
    
6. The Cornhole / Corn Toss play surface shall be finish sanded to a very smooth texture and there shall not be any blemishes in the wood surface that might disrupt or distort play.
    
7. The Cornhole / Corn Toss play surface shall be painted with a high gloss latex paint resulting in a surface that allows corn bags to slide but is not so slippery that it allows the bags to slide back down the platform. The preferable color is white, but any easy to see color is acceptable for tournament play.
    
8. The corn bags shall be made from two fabric squares with a quarter inch double stitched seam on all four sides. The corn bags should be made from 12 oz / sq yd duck canvas and may be any color that is easy to see during Cornhole play. Each bag shall be filled with approximately 2 cups of corn feed and finished bags should be a minimum of 6" X 6" square and weigh between 14 and 16 ounces.

• Pitcher's Box
  The pitcher's box is the rectangle 4 ft by 3 ft at each end of the court, parallel and on both sides of Cornhole platforms. Each contestant must remain in the pitchers box while pitching the corn bag.
   
• Multiple Courts
  To eliminate distraction and safely separate activity, Cornhole / Corn Toss courts adjacent to each other shall be a minimum of 10 feet apart. A greater distance (at least 12 feet) is preferable.
   
• Section D. Foul Lines
  There are two sets of foul lines: (1) open adult play and (2) junior play. The open adult play foul lines shall be defined as an imaginary line 30 ft. from the beginning of the hole in the opposite Cornhole platform. For Cornhole / Corn Toss sets that meet ACA specifications, this foul line will be parallel to the front of the Cornhole platform. The junior play foul lines shall be defined as an imaginary line 21 ft. from the beginning of the hole in the opposite Cornhole platform. See the diagram below.
   
• Covered Or Indoor Courts
  The regulations for covered and indoor Cornhole / Corn Toss courts are exactly the same with the additional stipulation that they shall have a minimum 12 foot vertical clearance to the lowest possible obstruction.