Cornhole rules look simple until a bag hangs on the edge of the hole, someone reaches 22 points, or two friends disagree about who throws first. This guide explains the official cornhole rules in plain English, using the published rulebooks of the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) and the American Cornhole League (ACL). You will see how scoring works, what happens when you go over 21, how far apart the boards sit, and what counts as a foul.
If you searched for corn hole rules or corn whole rules, you are in the right place. The game is spelled cornhole, one word. Where the ACO and ACL differ, we show both, and we finish with how to play indoors and where to play cornhole in St. Charles, Missouri.
Quick Answer: Cornhole Rules
In cornhole, each side throws four bags at a board 27 feet away. A bag on the board scores 1 point and a bag in the hole scores 3. Only the difference between the two sides counts for the frame. The first side to reach or pass 21 wins, with no bust and no win by 2.
- Setup: two boards, 27 feet apart from front edge to front edge, and four bags per player.
- Scoring: 1 point for a bag on the board, 3 points for a bag in the hole, then cancellation.
- Winning: the first side to reach or pass 21 at the end of a frame wins.
- Going over 21: official rules do not penalize it, so there is no bust.
- Throwing order: a coin toss picks the first thrower, then the side that scored last throws first.
Here is the same information as a quick reference table.
| Rule | Official standard | Rulebook |
|---|---|---|
| Points to win | 21, reached or passed at the end of a frame | ACO and ACL |
| Bag on the board | 1 point | ACO and ACL |
| Bag in the hole | 3 points | ACO and ACL |
| Board distance | 27 feet, front edge to front edge | ACO and ACL |
| Bags per player | 4 | ACO and ACL |
| Win by 2 required? | No | ACL states it, ACO scores to 21 or more |
Sources: ACO Official Rules for the Sport of Cornhole and ACL Official Rules and Regulations 2026/2027.
Would you rather play than read? Cornhole is one of the yard games at Rec Hall in St. Charles, Missouri.
What Are the Basic Rules of Cornhole?
The basic rules of cornhole are easy to learn. Two players or two teams take turns throwing four bags each at a slanted board with a six inch hole. After all eight bags are thrown, you score the frame, then the next frame starts from the other end.
What Do You Need to Play Cornhole?
You need very little equipment, and you can play with two or four people. Here is the full kit:
- Two boards: each measures 2 feet by 4 feet and has a 6 inch hole near the top edge.
- Eight bags: four in one color for one side and four in a different color for the other.
- A flat court: the official court measures 8 feet by 40 feet.
- A way to keep score: a scoreboard helps, but the ACL says it is not required for play.
How Does a Game of Cornhole Work, Step by Step?
A frame is one full set of eight bags, four from each side, thrown toward one board. The ACL calls it a round. A game is a series of frames, played like this:
- Place the boards 27 feet apart, front edge to front edge, facing each other.
- Flip a coin to decide who throws first.
- Throw one bag at a time, switching between sides, until all eight bags are thrown.
- Wait for the last bag to stop, then score the frame using cancellation scoring.
- Move to the other board. In singles you stay in the same lane and walk down, while in doubles your partner throws back from the other end.
- Repeat until one side reaches or passes 21 points at the end of a frame.
How Is Cornhole Scored?
Cornhole uses cancellation scoring. A bag that lands on the board is worth 1 point, a bag that goes through the hole is worth 3 points, and any other bag is worth 0. After the frame, the lower score is subtracted from the higher score and only the difference goes on the scoreboard.
What Is a Woody and What Is a Cornhole?
The ACO uses two terms for scoring bags. A woody is a bag that stays on the board at the end of the frame and earns 1 point. A cornhole is a bag that passes through the hole, and it earns 3 points.
How Does Cancellation Scoring Work?
Only one side can score in a frame, because the two totals cancel each other out. Here are four example frames. The examples are illustrations written for this guide.
- Example 1: Red throws 2 in the hole, 1 on the board and 1 miss for 7 points. Blue throws 1 in the hole, 2 on the board and 1 miss for 5 points. Red scores 2.
- Example 2: Red throws 4 in the hole for 12 points. Blue throws 4 misses for 0 points. Red scores 12.
- Example 3: both sides throw 1 in the hole, 1 on the board and 2 misses for 4 points each. Nobody scores.
- Example 4: Red throws 4 misses for 0 points. Blue throws 2 on the board and 2 misses for 2 points. Blue scores 2.
Method: ACO scoring rules and ACL scoring rules. Totals are bag points only, before cancellation.
A frame where both totals match is called a wash or a push. Nobody scores, and the side that threw first keeps the first throw in the next frame.
Do Bags Hanging on the Edge of the Hole Count?
Yes, but it depends on where the bag rests when the frame is scored. Under ACL rules, a bag hanging in the hole while still supported by the board is worth 1 point. If it falls through the hole before the frame is scored, it is worth 3 points.
This matters most when bags pile up in the hole. Both rulebooks ask players to clear the hole without shaking a hanging bag loose. A bag that falls through during that careful clearing counts as a cornhole.
Do Bags That Touch the Ground Count?
No. A bag that touches the ground before it comes to rest on the board is a dead bag, and it scores 0 points. The ACL also gives 0 points to a bag that lies on the front edge of the board while touching the ground.
How Many Points Do You Need to Win Cornhole?
You need 21 points to win a standard game of cornhole. The ACO calls this Traditional 21. The first side to reach or pass 21 at the end of a frame wins the game.
Do You Have to Win by 2 in Cornhole?
No. Neither rulebook asks for a two point margin. The ACL says directly that a team does not have to win by a minimum of two points. If you finish a frame on 21 and your opponent has 20, you win.
What Is the Most You Can Score in One Frame?
The most any side can score in a frame is 12 points, which means four bags in the hole at 3 points each. Because of cancellation, the most a frame can add to the scoreboard is also 12. That only happens when the other side scores nothing.
What Happens If You Go Over 21 in Cornhole?
Nothing bad happens under official cornhole rules. Both the ACO and the ACL say the first side to reach or exceed 21 points at the end of a frame wins, and neither one penalizes a score above 21. There is no bust rule in the official game.
Here is an example. Red has 18 and Blue has 15. In the next frame Red scores 7 points and Blue scores 2, so Red gains 5 points. Red finishes on 23 and wins.
Can You Go Over in Cornhole, or Is There a Bust Rule?
You can go over, and the game ends. Some casual groups add a bust rule, where going over 21 resets the score. The number you reset to varies by group, and it is a house rule, not an official one. If your group wants it, agree on it before the first throw.
What Happens If You Reach 21 Before You Have Thrown All Four Bags?
Keep throwing. Scoring is completed at the end of the frame, not during it. A bag on the board can still be knocked off, or pushed into the hole, by a later throw, so only the position of each bag when the frame ends decides the points.
This also answers a common casual scenario. If you are on 19 and one of your bags is on the board, you still throw every remaining bag. The game is decided when the whole frame is scored, not when a single bag lands.
Who Goes First in Cornhole?
A coin toss decides who throws first in the opening frame under both the ACO and ACL rules. After that, the side that scored in the previous frame throws first. If neither side scored, the same side keeps the first throw.
What Does the Coin Toss Winner Get to Choose?
The two rulebooks give the winner slightly different choices. In a casual game, a simple option is to let the winner pick the lane or the bag color.
- ACO (random seeding): the winner pitches first, picks the bag color, and in singles picks the lane.
- ACL: the winner chooses who throws the first bag and, in singles, which lane to use for the whole game.
- Doubles in both: the winner picks either the lanes or the matchups, and the other side decides the choice that was left.
Is It Better to Throw First or Last in Cornhole?
Players disagree, and the rules treat neither as a penalty. Because the side that scored last throws first, the side that did not score throws last. Throwing last gives you the final say on bag positions, such as knocking a bag in or off.
How Far Apart Are Cornhole Boards, and What Size Are They?
Official cornhole boards sit 27 feet apart, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. Each board is 2 feet wide and 4 feet long, with a 6 inch hole centered 9 inches from the top edge. The table below sets out the cornhole regulations from both rulebooks.
| Spec | ACO | ACL |
|---|---|---|
| Board size | 47.5 to 48 inches by 23.5 to 24 inches | 2 feet by 4 feet, plus or minus 1/4 inch |
| Hole | 6 inches wide, centered 9 inches from the top | 6 inches wide (plus or minus 1/8 inch), center 9 inches from the back edge |
| Front edge height | 3 to 4 inches | 2.5 to 3.5 inches |
| Top (back) height | 12 inches | 12 inches, plus or minus 1/2 inch |
| Distance between boards | 27 feet, front edge to front edge | 27 feet (plus or minus 1/2 inch), front edge to front edge |
| Pitcher’s box | 4 feet by 3 feet beside each board | 3 feet wide by 4 feet long beside each board |
| Bag weight | 15.75 to 16.25 ounces | 15.5 to 16.5 ounces |
| Bag size | At least 5.75 inches at the narrowest point and no more than 8.25 inches corner to corner | 6 inches by 6 inches, plus or minus 1/4 inch |
| Bag thickness | 1.125 to 1.5 inches | 1.1 to 1.5 inches |
Sources: ACO Official Rules for the Sport of Cornhole, sections 1 and 2, and ACL Official Rules and Regulations 2026/2027, sections 1 and 2.
How Do You Measure the Distance Between Cornhole Boards?
Measure from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other, and keep the front edges facing each other. Each board is about 4 feet long, so the back of each board sits roughly 4 feet behind its front edge. Plan for more floor space than 27 feet.
What Should Cornhole Bags Weigh and Look Like?
Both governing bodies set a tight weight range, so a bag that is too light or too heavy is not tournament legal. The ACO also asks for one primary color per bag, and four matching bags per player. Neither body allows sprays or powders on bags or boards. A dry cloth is allowed to wipe the boards.
What Is a Foul Bag, or Dead Bag, in Cornhole?
A foul bag, also called a dead bag, is any bag that does not score. The most common examples are a bag that touches the ground before it lands on the board, a bag thrown with a foot over the foul line, and a bag that rests touching both the ground and the board.
The ACO lists these foul bags:
- A bag that touches the court or ground before it comes to rest on the board.
- A bag that comes to rest touching both the ground and the board.
- A bag released while neither foot is fully inside the pitcher’s box.
- A bag thrown from the wrong pitcher’s box.
- A bag thrown after the 15-second pitching time limit.
- A bag that strikes a defined object, such as a tree limb, a wire, or an indoor ceiling.
What Is a Foot Foul in Cornhole?
A foot foul happens when a player steps on or past the foul line before the thrown bag lands at the other end. The foul line is the front edge of the board. The ACL also requires at least part of one foot inside the pitcher’s box when the bag is released.
Penalties differ by rulebook. In the ACO system, an official issues a warning first, then a first and second strike, and the third strike forfeits the match. In the ACL system, each later foul forfeits that bag and the round score is adjusted.
How Long Do You Have to Throw in Cornhole?
You have 15 seconds. Both the ACO and the ACL start the clock when the opponent’s bag comes to rest. In a friendly game most groups skip the clock, but it is worth agreeing on before you start.
Can You Throw Cornhole Bags Overhand?
It depends on the rulebook. The ACO requires an underhand release. The ACL allows an underhand or overhand pitch, and it even allows a player to miss on purpose. In casual play, agree on one style so the game stays fair.
How Do Singles and Doubles Cornhole Work?
In singles, one player faces one player. In doubles, two teammates stand at opposite boards. In both formats, players stay in the same lane for the whole game, alternate throws, and the frame is scored by cancellation.
- Players per side: 1 in singles and 2 in doubles.
- Bags per player: 4 in both formats.
- Where you stand: in singles you use one pitcher’s box and the same lane all game. In doubles, teammates stand directly across from each other in the same lane.
- Between frames: in singles, you walk to the other board. In doubles, your partner throws back from the other board, so nobody walks.
- Bags thrown per frame: 8 at one board in both formats.
Sources: ACO section 4.1 and ACL section 2 and section 4.
Can You Play Cornhole With Three Players?
The official rulebooks cover singles and doubles only. For three players, use a house rule that everyone agrees to. A simple option is to rotate partners each game, so each player takes a turn as a pair. Treat it as a house rule, not an official format.
How Do You Settle Tricky Cornhole Calls?
Use the rulebook ruling for the situation, and agree on it before anyone throws. The table below covers the disputes that come up most often in cornhole game rules. Where the ACO and ACL give different answers, both are listed.
| Situation | What the rulebook says | Rulebook |
|---|---|---|
| A player touches a scoring bag before the frame ends | The frame ends. The offender keeps the points for bags already thrown and forfeits the rest. The other side scores 12 for the frame, before cancellation. | ACO |
| A player touches a scoring bag before the round ends | The round ends. The offender scores 3 for each bag in the hole only. The other side scores 3 for each unthrown bag and each bag on the board, plus 3 for each bag in the hole. | ACL |
| A bag still moves after it lands | The frame is scored 5 seconds after the last bag lands. Later movement is scored from the earlier position. | ACO |
| Picking up bags too early | Wait 3 seconds after the bags stop. Picking up moving bags counts as touching bags. | ACL |
| A dead bag knocks other bags | The other player chooses to put the bags back or leave them. | ACO |
| A dead bag knocks other bags | The final resting places of the bags in play count. | ACL |
| Bags pile up in the hole | A player can ask to rake the hole without shaking a hanging bag loose. This does not cost a timeout when four bags are in the hole or a pile shows. | ACO |
| A bag is dropped before the throw | If it falls before the final step and forward swing, it is not a foul and you can pick it up. Once the swing starts, it counts as thrown. | ACO |
| A player throws out of sequence | The bag is forfeited and the opponent throws two bags in a row to restore the order. | ACL |
| A bag is pinned off the board and touching the ground | The pinned bag is dead. The bag on top counts 1 point if it stays on the board. | ACL |
| Straightening the boards | Only between frames and with the opponent’s approval. | ACO |
Sources: ACO Official Rules sections 3, 4, and 5, and ACL Official Rules and Regulations 2026/2027, section 4.
How Do the Official Cornhole Rules Differ Between the ACO and ACL?
The two bodies agree on the core game: 21 points, cancellation scoring, 27 feet and four bags each. They differ on a few details that matter in a dispute.
- Throw style: the ACO requires an underhand release, while the ACL allows underhand or overhand.
- Pitch clock: 15 seconds in both.
- Timeouts: the ACO gives two 1 minute timeouts per game, and the ACL gives four 60 second timeouts per game.
- First throw: the ACO coin toss winner pitches first and picks the bag color, while the ACL winner chooses who throws the first bag.
- Foul penalty: the ACO adds a strike system where the third strike forfeits the match, while the ACL forfeits the bag and adjusts the round score.
- Ceiling clearance: 12 feet recommended in the ACO and 12 feet minimum indoors or under cover in the ACL.
- Scoreboard: one score tower per court in the ACO, and one scoreboard per court in the ACL, though it is not required.
Sources: ACO Official Rules for the Sport of Cornhole and ACL Official Rules and Regulations 2026/2027.
What Are Cornhole Tournament Rules?
Cornhole tournament rules add officials, equipment checks, and penalties to the standard game. The ACO uses Certified Officials, a three strike system, and bag inspection. The ACL keeps an approved bag list, and from October 1, 2026 its state and higher events require ACL stamped and approved boards.
How Should Friends Agree on House Rules Before a Game?
Settle five points before the first throw, and nobody will argue later. Read the list out loud to the group:
- Bust or no bust: decide whether going over 21 ends the game or resets the score.
- Foul line: decide how strict to be about stepping over it.
- Throw style: underhand only, or overhand allowed.
- Pitch clock: use the 15 second clock, or play without one.
- Hanging bags: decide who clears the hole and how a hanging bag is scored.
How Do You Play Cornhole Indoors?
To play cornhole indoors you need a court of about 8 feet by 40 feet, and a ceiling at least 12 feet high. The ACO recommends 12 feet of vertical clearance, and the ACL calls 12 feet the minimum for indoor or covered play. A bag that hits an indoor ceiling is a dead bag under ACO rules.
Use this checklist when you set up a court inside:
- Measure the court: allow about 8 feet by 40 feet, with the boards 27 feet apart.
- Mark the pitcher’s boxes: each box is 3 feet by 4 feet beside a board.
- Check the ceiling: look for at least 12 feet of clearance.
- Agree on objects: decide which lights, beams or signs count as an object before play.
- Keep the boards clean: wipe them with a dry cloth, and skip sprays and powders.
For more ideas on how to turn an indoor evening into a full night out, see these game night ideas near St. Louis.
Where Can You Play Cornhole in St. Charles, MO?
Rec Hall at 800 S. Duchesne Dr. in St. Charles, Missouri, has cornhole among its yard games, alongside giant Pong, Connect 4 and giant Jenga. General admission is paid at the door, and no reservation is needed. See the yard games page for the full lineup.
Rec Hall is a 33,000 square foot entertainment venue. Along with the yard games, it has an arcade, Zero Latency VR, and a full bar and kitchen. The Rec Hall menu lists the food and drinks.
What Are Rec Hall’s Hours and Age Policy?
Rec Hall is open Thursday to Sunday and closed Monday to Wednesday. Guests of all ages are welcome until 5 PM on Saturdays and all day on Sundays, and the venue is 18 and older at other times.
- Monday to Wednesday: closed.
- Thursday: 5 PM to midnight, 18 and older.
- Friday: 5 PM to midnight, 18 and older.
- Saturday: noon to midnight, all ages until 5 PM and 18 and older after 5 PM.
- Sunday: noon to 7 PM, all ages.
Source: Rec Hall FAQs and general admission pages.
What Do Guests Say About the Games at Rec Hall?
Guests often mention the games and the open space. Two Google reviewers wrote about it:
“Great place! Our son’s 10th birthday party was awesome. Great games, friendly staff, wide open areas. Exactly what we were looking for. A hidden gem!”
Jeff B., Google review
“Lots of fun and unique games that kept all ages of the party entertained.”
Erica R., Google review
Planning a group night? The birthdays for all ages at Rec Hall page and the weekend family takeover at Rec Hall post cover family friendly options.
How Do You Plan a Cornhole Night at Rec Hall?
Pick the day that fits your group, bring your house rules list, and check the calendar before you go. Here is what to know:
- Address: 800 S. Duchesne Dr., Saint Charles, MO 63301.
- Phone: (314) 818-0916, or use the Rec Hall contact page.
- Family friendly hours: Saturdays from noon to 5 PM and all day on Sundays.
- Entry: general admission is paid at the door. Arcade games and virtual reality are not included in the entry fee.
- Events: check the Rec Hall events calendar, because private events can close the venue to the public.
- Big groups: private events at Rec Hall and corporate events at Rec Hall handle large groups, up to 800 guests.
Looking for more to do in town? Browse things to do in St. Charles, MO this weekend.
Ready to Play? Start Here at Rec Hall
Now that the cornhole rules are clear, put them to work. Read the yard games at Rec Hall page, check the events calendar, or send your group details through Book Your Event. Questions first? Call (314) 818-0916.
Cornhole Rules FAQs
Common Questions About Cornhole Rules
What are the basic rules of cornhole?
Each side throws four bags at a board 27 feet away. Board bags score 1, hole bags score 3, and the first side to reach 21 wins.
How do you score cornhole?
A bag on the board scores 1 and a bag in the hole scores 3. Subtract the lower frame total from the higher. Only the difference is scored.
What happens if you go over 21 in cornhole?
Under official ACO and ACL rules, nothing. The first side to reach or pass 21 at the end of a frame wins. Bust rules are house rules some groups add.
Can you go over in cornhole?
Yes. Official rules do not penalize a score over 21, so the side that reaches or passes 21 at the end of a frame wins.
Do you have to win by 2 in cornhole?
No. Neither the ACO nor the ACL requires a two point margin. Reaching or passing 21 at the end of a frame wins, even by one point.
Who goes first in cornhole?
A coin toss decides the first throw. After that, the side that scored in the previous frame throws first. If nobody scored, the same side throws first again.
How far apart are cornhole boards?
Official boards sit 27 feet apart, measured from the front edge of one board to the front edge of the other. Each board is 2 feet by 4 feet.
What is a dead bag in cornhole?
A dead bag does not score. Examples include a bag that hits the ground before landing on the board or a bag thrown with a foot over the foul line.
Does a bag hanging in the hole count?
Yes. Under ACL rules a bag hanging in the hole is worth 1 point. If it falls through the hole before the frame is scored, it is worth 3 points.
Can you throw overhand in cornhole?
ACL rules allow underhand or overhand throws. ACO rules require an underhand release. Agree on one style before a casual game.
What do cornhole bags weigh?
ACO bags weigh 15.75 to 16.25 ounces and ACL bags weigh 15.5 to 16.5 ounces. ACL bags are 6 inches by 6 inches.
Is cornhole available at Rec Hall in St. Charles?
Yes. Cornhole is one of the yard games at Rec Hall, 800 S. Duchesne Dr., St. Charles, MO. Check the events calendar and hours before you go.
How much does it cost to play cornhole at Rec Hall?
General admission is paid at the door, and no reservation is needed. Arcade games and virtual reality are not included in the entry fee.
Can kids play cornhole at Rec Hall?
Guests of all ages are welcome until 5 PM on Saturdays and all day on Sundays. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays after 5 PM are 18 and older.
About the Rec Hall Team
Rec Hall is a 33,000 square foot entertainment venue at 800 S. Duchesne Dr. in St. Charles, Missouri, with arcade games, yard games, Zero Latency VR and a full bar. Guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 from over 820 Google reviews. The cornhole rules in this guide come from the published ACO and ACL rulebooks. Learn more about Rec Hall or read what is a rec hall.