Rules

Platform size and layout

Regulation platforms measure 4 feet (1.2 m) × 2 ft (0.6 m)^[1]. However, standard tailgating platforms usually measure 3 feet (0.9 m) × 2 ft (0.6 m)^[2], but may vary. The height of the back end is 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) from the ground while the height of the front end can vary from 2½ to 4 inches (100 mm). The cornhole platforms are set 33 feet (10 m) from the inside edge of each hole (the 6-inch (150 mm) diameter holes are centered 9 inches (230 mm) in from the back) while the player can stand anywhere from no further than the back of the platform but not any closer than the front of the platform. Additionally, there must be 12 feet (3.7 m) of vertical clearance above the playing area.^[1]

Gameplay

Cornhole matches are broken down into innings (or frames) of play. During each inning, every player throws four bags. A player may deliver the bag from either the left or right pitcher's box, but, in any one inning, all bags must be delivered from the same pitchers box. It is possible that both players can throw from the same pitcher's box. Also, the player gets a three foot box to throw in. Each player must deliver the bag within twenty seconds. The time starts when the player steps onto the pitchers box with the intention of pitching. The player who scored in the preceding inning pitches first in the next inning. If neither pitcher scores, the contestant or team who pitched last in the preceding inning pitches first in the next inning.

Cornhole can be played as either doubles or singles. In doubles play, four players split into two teams. One member from each team pitches from one cornhole platform and the other members pitch from the other. The first side of players alternate pitching bags until both players have thrown all four of their bags, then the players pitching from the opposing cornhole board continue to alternate in the same manner until all four of their bags are delivered and the inning or frame is completed. In singles play, two players play against each other. Delivery is handled in the same manner as doubles play. Both contestants pitch from the same cornhole platform and alternate their pitches until all of their bags have been pitched, completing the inning or frame.^[1]

Scoring

In order to score, the bags must either be tossed into the hole or land on the board. A bag that falls through the hole is worth a value of three points. The bag can be tossed directly into the hole, slide into the hole, or be knocked into the hole by another bag. A bag that lands on the board and is still on the board at the end of the inning is worth one point. If a bag touches the ground and comes to rest on the board, it is removed from the board prior to continuation of play and not worth any points. Usually, cancellation scoring is used. In cancellation scoring, bags that fall in the hole and bags that land on the board that are pitched by opponents during a frame cancel each other out. That is, if one player scores four points and the other player scores three points, the first player receives one point for the inning. In case of a tie, the team who ties the game, must go first.^[1]

Length of the game

A cornhole match is played until the first player or team reaches or exceeds twenty-one points at the completion of an inning. However, many play by the rule that states if a player or team goes over twenty-one, they go back to the amount they started with at the beginning of the last round. The match usually can not end in the middle of an inning. Thus, if a team that pitches first reaches or exceeds twenty-one points, the game does not end until the other side is allowed to pitch all of their bags and the inning is completed.^[1]

cornhole the history

a cornhole is a huge hunk of creamy (beige).

Terminology

The following is a list of terms commonly used in a cornhole game :

Air mail or swish

A bag that goes directly in the hole without touching the board.^[3][4]

Ace or cow pie

A bag lands on the board, which is worth one point.^{[citations needed]}

Back door

A cornhole that goes over the top of a blocker and into the hole.^{[citation needed]}

Backstop

A bag that lands past the cornhole but remains on the board creating a backboard for a slider to knock into without going off the board.^{[citation needed]}

Berlin Airlift

an opponents bags are blocking the hole (in the shape of a wall), leaving the only viable option to airlift the bags into the hole.^{[citation needed]} A historical reference to the Berlin Airlift

Berlin Wall

an opponent lines up a couple of bags in front of the hole, thereby making scoring difficult.^{[citation needed]} A historical reference to the Berlin Wall.

Blocker

An ace that lands in front of the hole, essentially blocking the hole from sliders.^{[citation needed]}

Chuck Finley

When a bag slides between two others and drops into the hole.

Cornfusion

When players or teams cannot agree on the scoring of a given inning.^{[dubious discuss]}

Cornhole or Drno

A bag falls in the hole, which is worth three points.^{[citations needed]} The alternative name is a reference to a trademark, that of a sink clog clearing product.

Dirty bag

A bag that is on the ground or is hanging off the board touching the ground.^{[citation needed]}

Four-bagger

When a player puts all 4 bags in with no help from his bag or another player.^{[citation needed]}

Gusher or double deuce

Four cornholes by a single player in a single round.^{[citations needed]}

Hanger

An ace on the lip of the hole ready to drop.^{[citation needed]}

Honors

The team who tosses first, resulting from the team scoring last.^{[citation needed]}

Hooker

A bag hitting the board and hooking or curving around a blocker and going in the hole.^{[citation needed]}

Jumper

A bag that strikes another bag on the board causing it to jump up into the cornhole.^{[citation needed]}

Police

The cornhole referee.^{[citation needed]}

Push Bag

When a bag takes in 2 or more bags of either the throwers bag or the opposing players bags.^{[citation needed]}

Sally or corn patty

A toss that is thrown too weakly and lands on the ground before reaching the board.^{[citations needed]}

Shucker

When a player pitches a bag and it strikes an opposing players bag knocking it off the board

Skunk or whitewash : A game that, by some rules, ends in an 11-0 score.

Slider

A cornhole that slides into the hole

Regional Terminology (West Coast; primarily the Bay Area, Seattle and the Central Valley of California from Sacramento to Chico)^{[weasel words]} Shortbag: When a cornbag hits the ground in front of the board. Lick Side: When a right-handed player has to throw from the right side of the board or a left-handed player must throw from the left side of the board. Frat House: When all eight bags are in play on the board. Cincinnati Slide: The act of knocking your own bag into the cornhole by throwing a cornbag hard and without much loft. Stiff Bag: A poorly thrown bag as a result of the pressure of competition.

History

The true history of the game is unknown,^{[citation needed]} though stories abound. Some^{[weasel words]} people claim that one of their ancestors invented it,^[5] but none of these stories have been substantiated. One story claims that the game was first played during the 14th century in Germany, then rediscovered in Kentucky within the last century.^[6] Despite debate about whether the game was actually created in the Kentucky farmland, Champaign, IL or the West Side of Cincinnati,^[7] some sources credit the invention to western Cincinnati,^[8] but by whom or w