Learn How To Play Cornhole

“This game also goes by the familiar names of Bean bag Toss,
Bean Toss, or Soft Horseshoes.”

Possibly originating in Germany in the 14th century, the Cornhole game was revived here in the states 100 years ago, somewhere in them thar’ hills of Kentucky.

It is similar to horseshoes, only wooden boxes are used called, “cornhole platforms.” Instead of horseshoes and metal stakes, corn or bean bags are tossed into tauntingly awaiting cornholes.

This game also goes by the familiar names of Bean bag Toss, Bean Toss, or Soft Horseshoes.

How to Play the Cornhole Game

Each team gets 4 corn bags of one color. Platforms are placed 27 feet apart (closer for little ones)

1. Corn hole is played in “innings.” Players stand at the opposite cornhole platform in the “pitcher’s box” – (somewhere along the side of the platform) with an imaginary “foul line” which runs even with the front of the platform.
2. At the “top” of the inning, players from Team 1 start pitching corn bags, alternating from one player to the next, until all four corn bags have been pitched.
3. In the “bottom” of the inning, players from Team 2 play the same way Team 1 played.
4. Play continues until one of the teams gets to 21 points.

For ages 7 and under, play to 11 or 15 with all points counting. In other words, do not use cancellation scoring (see below).

Scoring:

1. Players receive 3 points if a corn bag lands in the hole.
2. Players receive only 1 point if a corn bag lands on the platform but does not go in a hole.
3. Should the corn bag hit the ground before landing on the platform or lands half on/half off the platform, it does not count as a point.
4. Remove these erring corn bags.
5. All scoring corn bags are left on the platform so scores can be added up after all 8 corn bags have been pitched.

Photo by james.thompson. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).

Scoring is done by cancelling: For example, a corn-in-the-hole by Team 1 cancels a corn-in-the-hole by Team 2 during the same round. The difference of both team’s scores will be the score given to the highest scoring team.

Should both teams score the same amount, neither team receives a score. In other words, if the first player scores 4 points and the opposing player scores 3 points, the first player receives 1 point.

Winning the Cornhole Game

The team to reach 21 points first – wins. A score of 7 from one team before the other team has scored any points is a “skunk” and a new game should be started.

The game is not over until both teams have been allowed to pitch all their corn bags and the inning is complete.

Variations on The Cornhole Game

You can use just one platform. The game would be played thusly:

1. Team 1 Player 1 throws 2 corn bags
2. Team 2 Player 2 throws 2 corn bags
3. Team 1 Player 2 throws 2 corn bags
4. Etc, etc.

Game Tips & Cautions

Make your own Cornhole platform using your own wood or sturdy cardboard.

Official platforms are a slanted 24” x 28” box which in front are 4” high slanting to 12” high in back. The corn hole is 6” round centered 9” from the back and 12” from the sides.

If you like the cornhole game, you may also like:

• Lawn Darts
• Croquet
• Horseshoes
• Toss-Across