Cornhole Rules for the Bean Bag Tossing Game
A Backyard Game For Two or More Players or Teams and Large Groups
Sep 28, 2009
Cornhole is easy to learn, requires very little equipment but can have a very competitive nature. Perhaps this is why it is quickly becoming a very popular game in colleges across the U.S. The equipment for Cornhole is simple and can be made by hand, yet another factor in its popularity.
Equipment Needed to Play Cornhole
The only equipment needed is two Cornhole platforms (targets), and enough cornhole bags for each player, four bags per player, preferably in different colors. If the game is being played with single players and not teams, the game can be played with only one Cornhole platform.
Cornhole bags should be made to a finished size of six inches by six inches and are filled with two cups of corn feed. These can be made by hand or purchased. If they are homemade, they should be made with a sturdy canvas material and sewn tightly with a double folded seam to avoid leakage of the corn feed. Although not regulation, not many families keep corn feed around, so small dry beans can be substituted if making these by hand. Making four Cornhole bags each of several different colors is recommended so there is no confusion about which bags belong to which player and there will be plenty of bags for additional players.
Setting up the Cornhole Field
A regulation Cornhole Field is a level playing area that is 45' long by 10' wide, usually in an open field. If playing with two platforms, the platforms should be facing each other and be placed 27' apart. Along the front of each platform should be a foul line that extends out four feet from each side of the platform. This is the adult pitching line. A junior pitching line should be set up 21' from the front of the opposing platform.
A platform is a wooden box that is made from plywood and sanded to a smooth finish, then painted with a gloss enamel paint. The surface should be smooth to allow the bags to slide, but not so smooth that the bags slide off if they land on the surface. Platforms should be 48" long by 24" wide with a 6" hole cut in the center top portion of the box, the center of the hole should be nine inches from the back of the box. The front end of the box is 2-1/2" tall and the back should be at a height of 12" so the target is angled towards the player. The sides should be covered to prevent bags from sliding under the target.
Playing Cornhole
If the game is played as doubles, each player throws his bags from the platform opposite of his partner. So on each platform there would be at least one player from each doubles team. If playing singly, all players throw at the same platform.
Each person – one from each team – takes turns throwing all four of their bean bags from one side of the platform. He may choose either side of the platform, but all of his throws in that inning must be from the same side. Each player throws one bag and allows the next player to throw. This continues until everyone from that platform has thrown all of their bags. Play then moves to the second platform and proceeds the same way with each person throwing one bag at a time. When each player from each team has thrown all four of their bags, it is considered the end of the inning. The next inning starts with the highest scoring player from each platform throwing the first bag. If no points were scored, the second person to throw in the last inning starts the throw.
Scoring of Cornhole
If a bag lands inside of the hole of the platform, either by sliding in, by direct hit or by being hit in by another player's bag, it scores three points. If a bag is touching any part of the platform when it comes to rest it scores one point, however if any part of the bag touches any part of the ground before coming to rest on the platform, it does not score the point. So, if the bag lands on the platform and slides off onto the ground –resting a corner on the platform – it scores one point. If it lands on the ground and rolls into the and rests on the side of the platform it does not score the point. Any bag that doesn't qualify for either of these point values score no point. Points accumulate over several innings. The team that scores the highest score over 21 at the end of any given inning is the winning team.
Cornhole can be adapted to fit any yard and to accommodate any skill level. It can be a homemade game that is easily made with materials already found in many homes.
Cornhole Field Setup
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Cornhole Platform Dimensions
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Cornhole Platform Exploded View
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Cornhole Bags on Platform
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