How to Play Cornhole Game in 2024

 

Playing cornhole is a popular outdoor game that involves players tossing small bags filled with corn (or beans) onto a raised platform with a hole in the far end. The game is straightforward, enjoyable, and can be played by people of all ages. Here are the basic rules and how to play cornhole as of 2024:

Equipment

• Cornhole Boards: Two rectangular boards, each with a 6-inch hole centered 9 inches from the top. The boards are placed 27 feet apart, front to front.
• Cornhole Bags: Eight bags, four of one color and four of another, filled with approximately 16 ounces of corn kernels or plastic pellets.

Setup

• Place the cornhole boards on a flat surface, 27 feet apart, front edge to front edge.
• Teams or players stand at opposite ends and remain in their designated lane for the whole game, taking turns throwing bags.

Game Play

1. Decide Who Starts: Players decide who throws first with a coin flip or any other method.

2. Taking Turns: Players take turns throwing bags at the opposite board, attempting to land the bags on the board for points or in the hole for more points.

3. Scoring: After all eight bags have been thrown, points are tallied. A bag on the board scores 1 point; a bag in the hole scores 3 points. Bags that touch the ground before landing on the board or are hanging off the board do not score.

4. Cancellation Scoring: In a common scoring method, the points of one player cancel out the points of their opponent. For example, if Team A scores 5 points and Team B scores 3 points in a round, Team A is awarded 2 points for that round.

5. Continue Play: The team or player who scored in the preceding round throws first in the next round. If no one scores, the team or player who threw last in the preceding round throws first.

Winning the Game

• The game is typically played to 21 points. However, players must win by 2 points, so the game continues until one team achieves this.

Additional Rules

• Pitching: Players must pitch the bag with an underhand motion and release it within 30 seconds of taking possession.
• Foot Faults: Players cannot step over the front of the board when pitching.
• Interference: If a bag is moved due to interference (e.g., a bag from another court or an animal moving it), the bag is replaced as closely as possible to its original position, or the throw is replayed.