Back Yard Alternative Rules

CORNHOLE BACK YARD RULES

The Cornhole game is similar to “horseshoe throwing” or “darts”.  Instead of heavy iron horseshoes to throw or throwing sharp point like darts, throw your “corn” filled “bags” in a “hole”. 

To play cornhole you need a single cornhole board, or a set cornhole boards including 2 sets of cornhole bags. Do you really want to impress your friends? Think about a cornhole set with your own design or a cornhole gift package.

Here’s how to play cornhole. Rules around you (especially tournament rules) may vary. Watch out, this game may be addictive!

BASIS GAME

• The game is played with 2 or 4 players (preferably 4).
• The cornhole board (s) will be played from circa 8 meters.
• The opponents throw from 8 meters away from the board, facing towards the board.
• The game begins focused on one board with all 8 bags.
• Each team plays with a set of 4 bags and each team has his / her own color.
• One partner from each team throws alternately until all 8 bags are played.
• The round is played (see scoring).
• Repeat the game from the other side or, in case you play with one board, by picking up the bags after calculating the score, and returning to the 8 meter point.
• The highest scoring team in the previous round has honors.
• If you play with 4 people, the next round is played by the team mates.

 SCORE (SCORING)

• The first team to get exactly 21 points at the end of a round wins!
• A team earns 1 point for bags on the board, they can’t hit the ground and then bounce on the board, nor can they be touching the ground. It is appropriate to remove all bags from the board that hit the ground first, this is done before play is continued.
• A team earns 3 points for bags that go into the hole. They must go completely in the hole. Bags that are hanging in the hole only count for 1 point. If your opponent knocks your bag into the hole you still get the 3 points.
• The score is the difference in the team totals. For example: After 1 round or 8 bags played; Team #1 has thrown 1 bag into the hole and three off the board, their total then is 3 points. Team #2 has thrown 1 bag on the board and three off the board, there total then is 1 point.  You subtract team #2’s score from team #1’s score and the total score for the round is team #1 earns 2 points. CAUTION! You may NOT go over the 21 points! You should score exactly 21 points to finish. If you finish over 21 points, you drop back to 15 points. A little tactical understanding and active count is required.