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Official Cornhole Rules

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Cornhole is a popular lawn game often played at tailgates, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings. The game involves tossing bags filled with corn or beans onto a raised platform with a hole in it. Here are the official rules for playing cornhole:

Objective:

The objective of cornhole is to score points by landing bags on the board or through the hole.

Components:

  • Two Cornhole Boards: Each board is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, with a 6-inch diameter hole centered 9 inches from the top.

  • Eight Cornhole Bags: Four bags of one color and four bags of another color. Each bag is 6 inches by 6 inches and filled with approximately one pound of corn or beans.

  • Playing Area: A flat surface with the boards placed 27 feet apart from front edge to front edge.

Setup:

  1. Place the Boards: Position the two cornhole boards 27 feet apart on a flat surface. The playing area should be free of obstructions.

  2. Divide into Teams: Cornhole can be played as singles (two players) or doubles (four players). In doubles, teammates stand at opposite boards.

  3. Determine Starting Team: Use a coin toss or another method to decide which team throws first.

Gameplay:

  1. Throwing Bags: Teams take turns throwing their bags, alternating between players. Each player throws four bags per round.

  2. Throwing Order: The team that scored the most points in the previous round throws first in the next round. If no team scored, the team that threw last in the previous round throws first.

  3. Scoring:

    • On the Board: A bag that lands on the board and stays there is worth 1 point.

    • In the Hole: A bag that goes through the hole is worth 3 points.

    • Foul Bags: Bags that touch the ground before landing on the board or that are thrown out of turn are considered fouls and receive no points.

  4. Score Calculation: Points are calculated at the end of each round based on the difference in scores between the two teams. This method is called "cancellation scoring."

    • For example, if Team A scores 7 points and Team B scores 5 points in a round, Team A receives 2 points (7 - 5 = 2).

Winning the Game:

The game continues until a team reaches or exceeds 21 points at the end of a round. If both teams reach 21 points in the same round, the team with the higher score wins. If scores are tied, play additional rounds until one team has a higher score at the end of a round.

Additional Rules:

  • Bag Tossing Technique: Players must throw the bag with an underhand release.

  • Foot Foul: Players must remain behind the front edge of the board when throwing. Stepping over the line results in a foot foul and the bag does not count.

  • Board Adjustments: If the board is moved by a thrown bag, return it to its original position before the next throw.

  • Interference: Bags that are accidentally moved by players or spectators should be returned to their original position as agreed upon by the players.

Cornhole is a fun and competitive game that is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by players of all ages. Its simple rules and minimal equipment make it a perfect choice for outdoor gatherings.

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