Rules

What MPD Cornhole League has set, then how cornhole is played.

This league's rules

The settings this league's scores and standings are worked out with on this site. The league's own rule sheet may cover more; ask its officers.

Standings: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss.
Ties in the standings: Teams level on points are separated by most wins, then head-to-head, then point differential, then most points scored, then a coin flip recorded by the league. Head-to-head counts only when the tied teams have all played each other equally.

How cornhole is played

A plain-language summary of the American Cornhole Association's Official Rules of Cornhole, written by LeagueBucket¹. It is not an official rulebook: where they differ, the league's own rules and the governing body's current rulebook apply.

The short version

Be the first to 21 points.

A bag in the hole is 3 points; a bag resting on the board is 1.
Only the difference counts: if you score 5 and your opponent 3 in an inning, you get 2.
The front of the board is the foul line. Step past it before you let go and the bag does not count.
A bag that touches the ground before it lands on the board is a foul bag and comes off.
Whoever scored last pitches first in the next inning.
Play to 21. You do not have to win by two or hit 21 exactly.

1Court Setup & EquipmentBoards, bags and distances.

1.1Boards

Each board is 2 feet wide and 4 feet long with a 6-inch hole centred 9 inches from the top edge. The back of the board stands 12 inches off the ground and the front a few inches.

1.2Bags

Each side pitches four bags of its own colour. Regulation bags are about 6 inches square and weigh about a pound.

1.3Distance

The boards face each other with 27 feet between their front edges. Leagues shorten this for juniors or tight spaces.

1.4Pitcher's box and foul line

The pitcher's box is the 4-foot by 3-foot area beside each board. A player pitches all four bags from one box, and the front edge of the board is the foul line.

2Players & PositionsSingles and doubles.

2.1Doubles

In doubles, partners stand at opposite boards and each pitches against the opponent at the same board. Players keep their board and their side for the game.

2.2Singles

In singles both players pitch from the same board, then walk to the other end and pitch back.

3Order of PlayWho pitches, and when.

3.1Alternating pitches

The two players at a board take turns pitching one bag at a time until each has pitched all four. That is one inning.

3.2Who pitches first

The side that scored in an inning pitches first in the next one. If nobody scored, the side that pitched first keeps the first pitch.

3.3Time to pitch

A player has 20 seconds to deliver each bag.

4Pitching & FoulsLegal pitches and foul bags.

4.1Foot fault

The pitcher must stay inside the pitcher's box and behind the foul line until the bag has left the hand.

4.2Foul bags

A foul bag is taken off the court before the next pitch and scores nothing. A bag is foul if it was pitched with a foot fault, pitched after the time limit, pitched from the wrong box, or touched the ground or an outside object before coming to rest on the board.

Bags that a foul bag moved are put back where they were.

4.3Bags touching the ground

A bag hanging off the board that is touching the ground does not count and is removed before play goes on.

5ScoringPoints and cancellation.

5.1Point values

A bag that goes through the hole is worth 3 points, however it got there, including being knocked in by another bag. A bag at rest on the board is worth 1.

5.2Cancellation scoring

At the end of an inning the two sides' points cancel, and only the side with more scores, taking the difference.

Example: You have one bag in the hole and two on the board (5). Your opponent has three on the board (3). You score 2.

5.3Counting the bags

Bags are counted only when all eight have been pitched, and players at the board agree the count before any bag is picked up.

6WinningThe game and the match.

6.1The game

The first side to reach or pass 21 points at the end of an inning wins. There is no win-by-two and no going bust.

6.2The match

A league match is usually the best of three games; the league sets the format.

7Disputes & ConductSettling a count and behaving.

7.1Disputes

Players settle the count between themselves at the board. If they cannot agree, they ask a league official before touching the bags.

7.2Distraction

Players may not distract an opponent who is pitching, by talking, moving in their line of sight or standing in their box.

8League PlayWhat the league, not the rulebook, decides.

8.1Standings

The rulebook decides a match; the league decides what a result is worth in its standings.

In this league: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss.

8.2Teams level in the standings

The league also decides how teams level in the standings are separated.

In this league: Teams level on points are separated by most wins, then head-to-head, then point differential, then most points scored, then a coin flip recorded by the league. Head-to-head counts only when the tied teams have all played each other equally.

Fouls and penalties at a glance

Foot fault: A foot past the front of the board, or outside the box, before the bag is released. Penalty: The bag is a foul bag: removed, no points.
Grounded bag: The bag touches the ground before resting on the board. Penalty: Removed, no points.
Slow pitch: More than 20 seconds to deliver a bag. Penalty: The bag is a foul bag.
Distraction: Interfering with an opponent's pitch. Penalty: A warning; the league decides what follows.

Other ways the game is played

Formats some leagues and events use. They are not this league's rules unless it says so.

Bust rule: A side must hit 21 exactly; going over drops its score back, commonly to 15. Used by: Backyard and bar play.
Skunk rule: The game ends early when one side leads by a shutout margin, commonly 11-0. Used by: Backyard and some league play.
Straight scoring: Both sides keep every point they score each inning, with no cancellation. Used by: Quick and beginner games.
Shorter distance: Boards are set closer together, commonly 21 feet. Used by: Juniors and tight spaces.
ACL rules: The professional league's own rulebook, which differs in bag specifications and procedures. Used by: American Cornhole League events.
Win by two: The game goes on past 21 until a side leads by two. Used by: Some leagues.

Words used in the game

Cancellation scoring:: Only the difference between the two sides' points in an inning is scored.
Cornhole:: A bag through the hole, worth 3 points.
Foul bag:: A bag that broke a rule and is taken off the court.
Honors:: The right to pitch first.
Inning:: All eight bags pitched at one board.
Woody:: A bag resting on the board, worth 1 point.

Questions that come up

My bag bounced off the grass onto the board. Does it count?: No. It is a foul bag and comes off before the next pitch.
A bag got knocked into the hole. Whose points?: The bag's owner gets 3, whoever knocked it in.
Do we have to hit 21 exactly?: No, unless your league plays a bust rule.
Who goes first next inning?: Whoever scored. If nobody did, the same side as last time.
Can I step in front of the board?: Not until the bag has left your hand.