How to play Cornhole

Learn the rules to the yard game Cornhole quickly and concisely - This video has no distractions, just the rules.Show more

Don't own the game? Buy it here:
amazon.com - https://amzn.to/3Po8HBj
amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/3PmtZiH
amazon.uk - https://amzn.to/3PqNl6y
(As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases)

RULES:
The object of game is to be the first player, or team, to get 21 points. Setup the boards on flat ground, slanting in towards each other, with 27 feet between the front edge of each board. Each team picks a side of one of the boards and their teammate goes directly in front of them next to the other board. Give each team 4 bags of the same color. Pick a team to throw first, then throws alternate between the 2 players from opposite teams.

On your turn, you throw 1 of your bags onto the board across from you. When you throw, you may not step past the front edge of the board that is next to you nor the boards side edge to throw from the other side where your opponent stands or behind the board. You may throw the bag however you like. If the bag hits the ground and bounces onto the board or hangs from the board so it touches the ground, then that throw is disqualified, and the bag is immediately removed and that bag scores no points for the round and is not rethrown. After you throw 1 bag, your opponent throws 1 bag, and you alternate throws until all the bags are thrown. Bags may not be moved after thrown nor rethrown. Once all 8 bags have been thrown, you calculate points. Points are only scored at the end of the round.

Any bag on the face of the board is worth 1 point. Bags hanging on the board still count, unless they are touching the ground. Any bag knocked off the board during throws from another bag don’t score points. Any bag that made it into the hole is worth 3 points even if it fell into the hole from another bag from a different throw by either player. Any bag hanging into the hole is only worth 1 point. Points from opposing teams cancel each other out so only one team scores each round. For example, if the red team has 4 points and the blue has 1 point, then the red team scores 3 points for the round and adds it to their total score while the blue team scores 0. Gather up the bags and the team that scored the most points in the round throws first in the next round. Rounds also alternate which set of players throws and the direction of the throws.

This process repeats until one team reaches 21 points with a lead of 2 points, then that team is the winner. There are other variations where you can play that you must get exactly 21 points and if you go over then your team’s score is reduced to 11 and play continues. Another variation is that every point scores for both sides each round and the team with the most points after 13 rounds is the winner. Before beginning a game, agree to which way you will score.