Corn Hole Game Rules: Official Rules, Distance, Scoring & Tournament Play

Corn hole, often spelled cornhole and sometimes called corn toss, is one of the most popular lawn games in the United States. It is one of the easiest to learn games. However, disputes often arise when players don’t follow the official corn hole game rules. Knowing the rules for board setup, scoring, etc can make it fairer for everyone involved. 

In this guide, we will explain corn hole game rules, including corn hole distance rules, scoring methods, and tournament standards followed by the American Cornhole League. 

Let’s get started!

Official Corn Hole Game Setup Rules

You need a proper setup to follow the official corn hole game rules. Factors such as board size, hole placement, and distance all impact gameplay and scoring. 

Cornhole Board Dimensions (Official Size)

According to official corn hole game rules:

• Board length: 48 inches
• Board width: 24 inches
• Hole diameter: 6 inches
• Hole center: 9 inches from the top of the board
• Board angle: Front edge sits flat, back edge is 12 inches off the ground

Only bags that land on the board after the toss count for points. 

Corn Hole Distance Rules

How far apart are cornhole boards? People often don’t know this, as the distance can vary depending on the level of play. 

• Official tournament distance: Front edge of one board to front edge of the other = 27 feet
• Casual or backyard play: Often shortened to 20–24 feet
• Junior play: Typically 12–15 feet

For official matches and tournaments, the American Cornhole League always uses a standard 27-foot length. 

Cornhole Bag Specifications

Cornhole official rules also include rules about bags. Official bags for playing the cornhole game must meet set standards. 

• Size: 6 × 6 inches
• Weight: 14–16 ounces
• Shape: Square
• Filling: Corn kernels or synthetic resin pellets
• Material: Durable fabric (no slick or overly sticky surfaces)

All bags must be identical in size. There should be 8 bags, 4 bags for each player. 

Essential Rules and Guidelines

Now, let’s take a look at all the essential rules and guidelines for this amazing game called cornhole. Here are some important corn hole game rules.

• There can be singles and doubles play. It means that there can be one person per team or two persons per team. 
• Each team will have four bags of one color. 
• All bags will begin at one end. 
• A coin flip will be required to choose who goes first. 
• One of the partners of the team will begin the corn toss game by throwing the bags at the opposite board. 
• All throws must be underhand, and the players must stay within the pitcher’s box. 
• Stepping over the foul line before releasing the bag is a foot fault, and it can result in the bag being removed from the play. 
• Players must alternate throws until all 8 bags are tossed. 
• A round ends when all bags are tossed, and the team that scored in the previous round throws in the next round. 
• According to the official corn hole game rules, the game continues until one team reaches 21 or more points. 

Corn Hole Game Scoring 

The corn hole game rules for scoring are pretty simple once you understand them. The scoring starts after all the cornhole bags are thrown. Have a look at these cornhole game official rules for scoring. 

• 3 points are given for a bag in the hole called cornhole. 
• 1 point is given if the bag is on the board; it is called Woody. 
• If you throw the bag off the board, 0 points are given. 

Bags that remain in the hole or on the board are counted for points in the round. 

Cancellation Scoring Policy:

You must know that according to official corn hole game rules, the points from both teams cancel each other after each round. Only the difference in points is awarded to players. 

To win the game, a team or player must get to 21 points. However, if a team goes over 21 points, the bust rule applies. In the corn hole game rules, it is one of the most exciting rules. We will explain the bust rules in the next section. 

Cornhole Bust Rules

Cornhole bust rules are there to prevent the game from ending too quickly and add strategy to the game. Here are the official cornhole bust rules. 

• If a team or a player scores more than 21 points, then they bust. 
• In that case, their scores reset to 15 points.
• The play will continue until a team or a player reaches 21 points. 

In the official American Cornhole League Rules, this is always enforced. However, in casual play, the corn hole game rules can also be ignored or amended. Some players or groups ignore bust rules or allow “win by 2.”

It is better if you agree on the bust rules before starting the game. 

Cornhole Fouls & Penalties

According to the official corn hole game rules, there are a few types of fouls. Here is the list of fouls. 

• Foot fouls 
• Throwing from outside the pitcher’s box
• Knocking in or removing bags illegally
• Distracting opponents during throws

The penalty is that the bag is removed without any points. 

Conclusion

Knowing the corn hole game rules eliminates any doubt you have about the game and makes your session more enjoyable. Whether you’re following official cornhole rules, playing in a tournament, or just tossing some bags for your enjoyment, you need to understand corn hole game rules for scoring and distance to ensure fair play. 

Competitive games by the American Cornhole League always use regulation dimensions and scoring systems. You can bookmark this guide or share it with your friends so everyone is aware of these rules. 

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