I’ve played Bags (a.k.a. Cornhole) since high school. Backyard cookouts. Tailgates. Even a small bar league last fall at Corner Tap in Chicago. I’ve used a few sets too—my own GoSports boards and a buddy’s ACL-size boards with AllCornhole GameChanger bags. Same game. Slightly different feel. For the complete blow-by-blow of how each rule tweak shook out, you can skim my full deep-dive on Bags right here.
So I spent a few weekends playing with “real” rules and a few house tweaks. And you know what? Some rules make the game smooth. Some slow it down. I’ll show you both, with real plays from my games.
The Rules I Actually Used (Simple and Real)
- Boards: 2 feet by 4 feet. Hole is 6 inches wide, centered near the top.
- Distance: 27 feet front-to-front for adults. We use 21 feet for kids.
- Bags: About 6 inches square, 14–16 ounces. Dual-sided (one slow, one fast) helps in wind.
- Teams: 2 vs 2. Partners stand at opposite boards.
- Turns: Four throws each, same lane, alternating teams.
- Scoring: 3 points in the hole (“cornhole”). 1 point on the board (“woody”). Off the board is 0. Bags that hit the ground first don’t count, even if they slide on.
- Cancel rule: Your points minus theirs. Only the difference counts.
- Game point: First to 21 wins.
That’s the base. Clean and fair.
Real Round Example From My Block Party
I threw first. Breezy Saturday. Big crowd by the grill.
- Me: 1 in the hole, 2 on the board, 1 off. That’s 3 + 1 + 1 + 0 = 5.
- My opponent, Dan: 1 in the hole, 1 on the board, 2 off. That’s 3 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 4.
Cancel time: 5 minus 4 = 1 point for my team. Not huge, but it adds up. And yes, I did a tiny fist pump. Couldn’t help it.
Another Real Example: The Push Shot That Saved Us
We were at 18–19. I was down one. Dan left a blocker bag in front of the hole. I used the fast side of my bag, threw a push shot, and slid his blocker plus mine into the hole. My bag fell. His bag fell. Two bags in. That’s 6 points for the two holes, but both sides got 3, so the round canceled to 0. We stayed alive.
Fancy word for that shot? “Push.” It looks slick. Feels even better.
Fouls I Actually Saw (And Called)
- Foot fault: My friend Sara stepped across the front edge when she threw. We called the bag dead. She groaned; we laughed; it kept the line fair.
- Ground contact: My bag hit the grass and hopped on the board. It didn’t count. I knew it the second it bounced. Windy nights make this one show up a lot.
- Time stalling: Not a “real” foul, but annoying. Dan took forever on toss three. We set a soft rule: toss within 10 seconds. It kept the game moving.
What I Liked About These Rules
- The cancel system keeps games close. You’re never out early, which is great with mixed skill folks.
- 27 feet feels legit. You have to control the bag, not just chuck it.
- Clear fouls stop arguments. If it hits the ground first, it’s out. Easy.
What Bugged Me (And How We Fixed It)
- Exactly 21 or bust: Some leagues want an exact 21. We tried it. Games dragged. Folks stalled near 20. We dropped “bust.” Winner is the first to 21 or more. Done.
- Who throws first: Toss for it, flip a coin, whatever. We now do a one-bag challenge: each side throws a single bag; closest to the hole gets first toss. Fast and fun.
- Kids at 27 feet: Too far. We moved them to 21 feet. They started scoring, and smiles showed up. That’s the point, right?
Little House Rules That Actually Help
- Foul line taping: We tape the front edge on concrete, or chalk it on a driveway. No more “Was that over?” fights.
- Win by 2 (optional): If both teams are hot, we play to 21, win by 2. If we’re hungry, we skip the “by 2.”
- Mercy rule: 11–0 is a skunk at my uncle’s place. Quick reset. New teams step in.
- Bag call-outs: We name shots to keep it lively—“blocker,” “airmail,” “push,” “slider.” It helps new folks learn fast. Need a deeper vocabulary? Check out this complete cornhole terminology guide for every shot and phrase.
Quick Tourney Example From My Bar League
That bar-league energy instantly reminded me of the wild weekend I spent hanging with Billy Bob Games—catch the real tea if you’re curious.
Match to 21. Best of three. We played on slick wood boards with fast bags.
- Game 1: We won 21–17. I hit two airmails late. (Airmail = straight in, no board touch.)
- Game 2: We lost 12–21. Couldn’t block; their sliders were money.
- Game 3: Tied 19–19. I had one bag left. Threw a safe woody to the left corner to block. They went short. We got 2 and took it, 21–19.
The rules made the finish tense, but not messy. That’s what I want in a game night.
Between rounds, we had a few lull moments where everyone chilled out, grabbed drinks, and scrolled through their phones. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of bold photos actually get attention while you’re swiping between matches, you might appreciate this straightforward guide to tasteful Tinder nudes — it walks you through smart pose ideas, lighting tricks, and important consent reminders so you can boost your match rate without crossing any lines.
Feeling a little sore after all that tossing? If you’re considering a post-game massage to loosen up your shoulders, you can explore local options via Rubmaps Laurel—the page curates user reviews, service details, and etiquette tips so you know exactly what to expect and can book a relaxing session with confidence before your next matchup.
Gear Note From My Hands
- Boards: My GoSports boards are sturdy enough for backyard play. Not as heavy as pro boards, but easy to carry.
- Bags: Dual-sided bags matter. Suede side for slow. Woven side for fast. In wind, that choice is gold.
- Tape measure: We keep a cheap 30-foot tape in the bag. Set distance once, then just leave the boards.
If you want a deeper dive into pro-level board surfaces, bag fabrics, and practice drills, swing by Flatout Game—their breakdowns are insanely helpful. For a totally different vibe, I also logged a month with Selenite Games—the surprising results are worth a peek.
Final Take
These rules work because they’re simple, fair, and easy to teach on a patio with a burger in your hand. Keep the core: 27 feet, 3 in the hole, 1 on the board, cancel scoring, first to 21. Then tweak for your crowd—no bust, kid distance, quick start. You’ll get fewer fights and more cheers.
And if someone yells “airmail” before the bag lands? Let them. The drama is half the fun.