Cornhole

Cornhole is a lawn game (also called 'bags' or 'bean bag toss') popular in the United States, especially in the Midwest. Two players (or teams of 2) stand at opposite ends, ~27 feet apart, alternately tossing four fabric bags at a raised angled wooden board (4 ft × 2 ft) with a 6-inch hole near the top. Bag on the board = 1 point (a 'woody'); bag through the hole = 3 points ('cornhole' or 'ace'). Score is calculated cancellation-style — each team's raw points cancel out; only net points count per round. First to exactly 21 wins. Originated in 19th-century Germany + Cincinnati, Ohio; explosive US growth 2010s. Governed by American Cornhole League (ACL) — professionalized since 2015; ESPN broadcasts tournaments. World Series of Cornhole draws thousands. Materials: regulation 6×6 inch bags weighing 15.5-16.5 oz filled with resin pellets (formerly corn kernels). Casual game — often played at BBQs, tailgates, weddings — but also serious professional circuit with $250,000+ prize pools. Accessible to all ages/skill levels; game of touch + strategy (roll shots vs airmail shots).

Cancellation scoring: bag on board = 1 point, bag through hole = 3 points. Only net difference each round added to total. First to 21 wins.

Win condition · First to exactly 21 wins.

Two wooden boards facing each other on flat ground; players throw from behind pitching line even with front of board.

• Cornhole boards (pair)

  4 ft × 2 ft plywood boards angled 12°; 6-inch hole 9 in from top. ACL-regulation smoothness.

• Bags (8 total, 4 per team)

  6 × 6 inch fabric bags, 15.5-16.5 oz; filled with resin pellets. ACL-approved brands: Dime Bags, Prophecy, KILLSHOT, BG Bags.

• Score card / whiteboard

  Track cumulative + round scores.

• Tape measure

  For official setup verification.

Tournament matches have referee for foul calls + scoring; casual play is self-officiated.

• Referee (tournament)
• Scorekeeper
• Line judges (pro)

• Slide vs airmail

  Slide shot (lower arc, lands + slides toward hole) vs airmail (high arc, drops through hole).

• Blocking bags

  Land bag on board in front of hole to block opponent's slide shot.

• Push-through

  Land bag on board so subsequent bag can push it through hole for 6 points combined.

• First-throw strategy

  Whoever leads score throws second (last word) advantage — save aces for closer.

• Reading wind + board condition

  Outdoor: adjust for wind. Board condition: slick vs sticky changes slide distance.

• 21 approach management

  Once at 18-20, avoid aces if you'll overshoot to 22+ (drop back to 11).

Cornhole / Ace

Bag through the hole = 3 points.

Woody

Bag on the board = 1 point.

Cornfusion

Round where scoring is disputed; usually informal replay.

Slider

Bag thrown with low arc that lands + slides.

Airmail

Bag thrown with high arc, drops through hole from above.

Backdoor

Bag entering hole from top edge.

Blocker

Bag placed to block opponent's shot at hole.

Cornfused

Slang for missing badly.

Cornholed

Getting ace on top of opponent's blocker (technique or luck).

Pitcher's Box

Area behind pitching line where thrower stands.

Foul

Crossing line, bouncing off ground = illegal throw.

Cancellation

Scoring style: only net difference per round counts.

• ACL World Championships

  annual · USA (broadcast globally) · since 2015

• ACL Pro Tour

  annual · USA · since 2015

• American Cornhole Championships (ACC)

  annual · USA · since 2005

• World Cornhole Championships (WCC)

  annual · worldwide

• 🇺🇸United States
• 🇨🇦Canada
• 🇩🇪Germany
• 🇬🇧United Kingdom
• 🇮🇪Ireland
• 🇦🇺Australia

• American Cornhole League (ACL)

  Founded 2015 · Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

  Official site ↗

• American Cornhole Organization (ACO)

  Founded 2005 · USA

• European Cornhole Association

  Founded 2018 · Europe

• Wikipedia — Cornhole— Wikipedia
• American Cornhole League— ACL