How to Play Cornhole

Cornhole, also known as Baggo, Tailgate, dadhole, bean bag, Bags, doghouse, or simply toss, is an American lawn game whose history is mostly unknown. Some say it was invented in Germany in the 14th century, and then rediscovered in the hills of Kentucky. Others point to a Kentucky farmer in the 1800s while others credit the Blackhawk tribe of Illinois. However, many people consider the origin of the game to be in America on the west side of Cincinnati. This is because it emerged as a favorite pastime in Cincinnati almost 15 years ago and spread like bushfire to beaches, breweries, back yards, and campgrounds across the US. In 2011 the New York Times declared that the game is ‘’sweeping the Northeast.’’

The game involves players taking turn tossing bags of corn at a raised rectangular plywood board with a hole in the far end. The bag can either stick somewhere on the platform or sink in the hole. A bag on the platform scores 1 point while one in the hole scores 3 points. The game continues until a player or a team reaches the score of 21. Cornhole can be played as singles or doubles. Both contestants pitch from the same cornhole platform in singles play while in doubles play, a member of each team will pitch from one cornhole platform as the other member pitches from the other cornhole platform. All other rules remain the same for singles or doubles play.

Cornhole Game Setup

The game should be played on a flat surface preferably on beach, a parking lot or on the lawn. The boards are set directly facing each other with the front edge of each board at 27 feet apart. 2 or 4 players can take part in the game. When you are in a team of four, your pitching box of your partners will be directly across from you. If only two of you are playing and you start throwing from the left side of the board, you’ll walk directly across to the other board, and then throw back from the right side. Each team is supposed to pick four bags.

Cornhole Order of Tossing

The first team takes the first shot at the cornhole board then the second team follows. This order is followed until all the four bags are tossed. Both teams will then walk over to the board and assess the points they have scored. When tossing the bags at the other board, the second team will now start followed by the first team. Keep tossing until one team/player reaches 21 points. The game is usually played in a best-of-seven or best-of-five series. The game is usually played in what is referred to as complete innings or frames. A complete inning is when the players who pitch from both cornhole platforms have pitched all their 4 bags. All bags must be delivered from the same pitcher’s box. The innings played and the points for each team are recorded on a scoreboard.

In scoring it should be remembered that equal points cancel each other out so that only one player can score per round. For instance, if your opponent scored 3 and you scored 5 points, you will add 2 points to your overall score and your team will throw first in the next round. For equal points, whoever threw first in the last round will throw first again. A team that reaches 21 points with a lead of 2 or more points wins the game, and first team to win 2 games wins the match.

Corn Hole Strategies

A team can not go beyond 21 points. If your team has 20 points and you hit a 3-point shot, your score will go back to zero points. If your opponent’s shot is on the board, you can try to push that bean bag off the board so they don’t get credit for the point. If a shot is half in the hole and half on the board, it is considered in the hole and will earn 3 points.

Cornhole Terms

• Boarder, Woody – This is a bag that ends up on the board.
• Corn in the Holer, Hole Cornhole – This is a bag that ends up in the hole.
• Dos Cornhole’ – This means two bags in the hole.
• The Great Cornholio – If a player throws 4 bags in the hole. The other players are supposed to bow down in reverence to the player.
• Corn On The Cob – This is when a player puts every bag on the board.
• Nothin’ But Corn – This is when a bag goes right through the hole without touching the board.

Cornhole Video Tutorial