How to Play Cornhole: A Beginner's Guide
Learning how to play cornhole takes about five minutes — the game itself takes a lifetime to master. All you need are two boards, eight bags, and two or four players. Set the boards up facing each other, then take turns throwing bags underhand toward the hole in the opposite board. Score after each set of throws, called a frame, then keep playing frame after frame until one team reaches the winning score. This guide walks through the setup, the throwing order, the scoring, and the small rules that trip up first-time players, so you can start your first game with confidence instead of guesswork.
What You Need to Play Cornhole
A cornhole set is short: two boards, eight bags, and enough players to fill one or both sides.
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cornhole boards | 2 |
| Cornhole bags | 8 |
| Players | 2 or 4 |
Boards. Two raised platforms, each with a hole near the top, set up facing one another down a lane.
Bags. Eight fabric bags split into two colors, four per side, thrown one at a time toward the opposite board.
Players. One player per side for singles, or two players per side for doubles — four players total.
How to Set Up Cornhole
Get the boards down, pick teams, and settle who throws first — then you are ready for the opening frame.
1.Place the Cornhole Boards
Set the two boards on flat ground, facing each other, with the holes lined up down the center of the lane. Regulation play puts the front edges 27 feet apart; backyard and youth games often shorten that to 21 or 24 feet. Leave an open pitcher's box beside each board for the throwing player.
2.Choose Teams
Singles is one player per side, standing at opposite boards and swapping ends after every frame. Doubles is two players per team, with partners standing at opposite boards so each side always has a thrower in position.
3.Determine Who Goes First
Flip a coin or let one player toss a bag toward the hole — closest to (or in) the hole throws first. After the opening frame, whichever side scored last throws first in the next one.
4.Get Ready to Throw
Stand inside the pitcher's box beside your board, behind the foul line marked by the board's front edge. Keep both feet behind that line until the bag leaves your hand.
How to Play Cornhole Step by Step
Once the boards are down and teams are set, every frame follows the same six steps.
1.Stand Behind the Foul Line
The front edge of your board is the foul line. Stand in the pitcher's box beside it with both feet behind the line before you throw.
2.Throw Your Cornhole Bag
Throw underhand toward the hole in the opposite board, aiming to land the bag on the board surface or slide it through the hole.
3.Alternate Throws
Players alternate one bag at a time with their opponent until all eight bags — four per side — have been thrown.
4.Complete the Frame
Once all eight bags are thrown, the frame — also called a round — is over. Leave the bags in place until the score is counted.
5.Count the Points
Add up each side's points, then apply cancellation scoring so only the difference between the two totals is awarded for the frame.
6.Continue Playing
Clear the boards, and whichever side scored the frame throws first in the next one. Repeat until a team reaches the winning score.
How Does Cornhole Scoring Work?
A bag in the hole is worth three points, a bag on the board is worth one, and a bag on the ground scores nothing.
1 Point
A bag that lands on the board surface and is still there when the frame ends.
3 Points
A bag that goes through the hole at any point during the frame.
Cornhole uses cancellation scoring. Both sides total their points for the frame, the lower total is subtracted from the higher one, and only the side with the higher total scores — for the difference alone.
Player A scores 4 points and Player B scores 2 points. Player A receives 2 points for the frame.
Player B's 2 points cancel out 2 of Player A's 4 — the difference is what goes on the scoreboard.
How Does a Turn Work in Cornhole?
A turn belongs to one player at a time. The player due to throw steps into the pitcher's box and throws one bag, then the opposing player throws one bag, and the two sides keep alternating until all eight bags are gone — four thrown by each side. Nobody throws two bags in a row. Once the last bag lands, the frame is complete and scoring begins; the next frame starts as soon as the bags are collected and the boards are cleared.
How to Play Singles and Doubles Cornhole
Singles — 1 vs 1
One player per side. Both players start at the same board, throw their four bags toward the opposite board, then walk down together to collect the bags, score the frame, and throw back from the other end.
Doubles — 2 vs 2
Two players per team. Partners split up, one at each board, and throw toward each other rather than walking down the lane. Teammates alternate frames facing the same direction, so nobody has to move between throws.
| Format | Players |
|---|---|
| Singles | 2 |
| Doubles | 4 |
How Do You Win at Cornhole?
The first team to reach 21 points at the end of a completed frame wins the game. Scores are only tallied after a frame is finished, never mid-frame, so a team can pass 21 partway through a frame and the game still continues until that frame is fully scored.
Basic Cornhole Rules for Beginners
- Stay behind the foul line until the bag leaves your hand.
- Throw underhand toward the opposite board.
- Alternate throws with your opponent, one bag at a time.
- Score only after all eight bags are thrown, at the end of the frame.
- Apply cancellation scoring — only the difference between the two totals counts.
- Keep playing frames until one side reaches the winning score.
Common Cornhole Mistakes to Avoid
A few small mix-ups account for most disputes in casual games.
Throwing from in front of the foul line
Stepping past the board's front edge before releasing the bag is a foul. The bag is removed from play for that throw, even if it lands in the hole.
Scoring bags incorrectly
Only bags resting on the board or through the hole at the end of the frame count. A bag that hits the ground before landing on the board is dead, even if it later bounces onto the board.
Setting the boards at the wrong distance
Regulation play uses 27 feet between boards. Measuring from the wrong edge, or eyeballing the distance, throws off the whole game for players used to the standard range.
Forgetting cancellation scoring
Adding both sides' points instead of subtracting the lower total from the higher one is the most common scoring mistake in casual play.
Changing the throwing order
The side that scored last throws first in the next frame. Throwing out of order can give one team an unfair extra look at the board.
Cornhole Tips for Beginners
Once the rules feel natural, these five habits will improve your throw the fastest.
- Throw the same way every time — a repeatable motion beats a powerful one.
- Aim for the center of the board first, then adjust toward the hole.
- Use a controlled, low underhand release instead of a high arcing lob.
- Practice the flat slide — letting the bag skid into the hole rather than dropping it in.
- Master a basic, reliable throw before trying trick shots like air mail or push shots.
How to Play Cornhole: Quick Guide
Set the boards 27 feet apart, throw your bags underhand toward the hole, alternate with your opponent, score with cancellation rules, and repeat frames until one side reaches 21 points.
How to Play Cornhole FAQ
How do you play cornhole for beginners?
Set up two boards 27 feet apart (or closer for casual play), split into two sides, and take turns throwing bags underhand toward the hole in the opposite board. Alternate throws until all eight bags are gone, score the frame with cancellation rules, then repeat until one side reaches 21 points.
How many bags do you throw in cornhole?
Each player throws 4 bags per frame, for 8 bags total per frame between both sides. In doubles, each partner throws all 4 of their bags from the same end before the frame is scored.
How far apart are cornhole boards?
Set them 27 feet apart for adult play, measuring front edge to front edge rather than from where you stand. If that is more room than you have, 21 or 24 feet is normal for backyard and youth games — just pick one distance and keep it the same all game.
How do you score cornhole?
A bag on the board scores 1 point and a bag through the hole scores 3 points. Cornhole uses cancellation scoring, so the lower of the two teams' totals is subtracted from the higher one, and only that difference is added to the scoreboard.
How many points do you need to win cornhole?
Most games are played to 21 points, and the winning team must reach that total at the end of a completed frame. Some casual and youth formats play to 11 or 15 points instead.
Can 2 people play cornhole?
Yes — this is called singles. Each player stands at one board, throws 4 bags toward the opposite board, then both players walk down together to score the frame and throw back the other way.
Can 4 people play cornhole?
Yes — this is called doubles. Two 2-player teams split up, with one partner from each team at each board, so both sides always have a thrower ready without anyone needing to change ends.
What happens if you cross the foul line?
Stepping past the front edge of your board before releasing the bag is a foul. The bag you threw is removed from play for that turn and earns no points, even if it lands in the hole.
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