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Cornhole Rules: Complete Guide to Playing the Ultimate Tossing Game
Cornhole Rules: Complete Guide to Playing the Ultimate Tossing Game
Cornhole has taken the world by storm—a fun, casual outdoor game that combines skill, strategy, and friendly competition. Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or looking to play at a tournament, understanding the cornhole rules is essential. This comprehensive guide breaks down every element of the game, from setup and scoring to common variations, so you can play like a pro with confidence.
Understanding the Context
What Is Cornhole?
Cornhole is a two-player or team game played on a deck of wooden boards with two rectangular target zones, each featuring a hole (the “hole” and the “board”). Players take turns tossing beanbag-like disc called “burlap buckets” or cornhole trays toward the board, aiming to land their disc in or on the target zone for points. The objective is simple: knock over the opponent’s discs while protecting your own.
Cornhole Setup and Equipment
Key Insights
Basic Setup
- Playing Surface: A 18-foot long playing deck with a 3.5-foot wide board. The board features two 6-inch holes on the far end and a standard 24-inch target zone marked with a 9-degree slope toward the holes.
- Equipment:
- 2 custom boards
- 2 pairs (4 total) of cornhole discs (typically made from foam or dense plastic)
- Optional: A coin or marker to determine the first thrower
- 2 custom boards
Field Dimensions
- The playing area spans 18 feet long and 7 feet deep.
- Each player or team stands behind the foul line (10 feet from the board), throwing from foot across the board.
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Basic Cornhole Rules
Turn Structure
- Players alternate throws, beginning with a coin flip or draw to determine who goes first.
- The thrower must stand behind the foul line and cannot step over it during the throw.
- A successful shot lands in the score box, behind the board, with a disc closest to a hole earning 1 point — 3 points if over the nearer hole and 2 if over the farther one.
Scoring System Explained
| Shot Location | Points |
|---------------|--------|
| Hole (relative value) | 3 points (closest shot counts first) |
| Over nearer hole | 1 point |
| Over farther hole | 2 points |
Example:
You throw and land your disc just over the nearer hole — you receive 3 points. If your opponent’s disc is closer to the nearer hole, it counts 1 point for coming closest — whoever knocks over the first has the advantage.
Legal Throws and Fouls
- Legal Throws:
- Discs must land completely on the board and in the target zone.
- Throws over the front foot are permitted but must be clean and controlled.
- Discs must land completely on the board and in the target zone.
- Fouls include:
- Stepping over the foul line before throwing
- Throwing from beyond the 10-foot line
- Crossing your own or opponent’s disc mid-air
- Tagging or holding boards during play
- Stepping over the foul line before throwing