Cornhole – also known as the cornhole game or bean bag toss – is one of the fastest-growing outdoor games. It’s perfect for the backyard, camping trips, company events, and tournaments. At Wicked Wood Games, the European Cornhole specialist, you’ll find everything you need to start playing right away.
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What is Cornhole?
Cornhole is a tossing game where players take turns throwing fabric bags towards a wooden board with a hole. The goal is to land the bag in the hole (3 points) or keep it on the board (1 point). The cornhole game is easy to learn but surprisingly strategic and highly addictive.
Today, Cornhole is one of the most popular outdoor games for backyards, tailgates, campgrounds, and family gatherings. It’s simple enough for beginners and still challenging for advanced players.
The history of Cornhole
The modern cornhole game has its roots in the United States, most likely in the Midwest, where people tossed corn-filled bags (“corn”) towards a wooden target. Over time, Cornhole evolved into a standardized lawn game with official rules and tournament play.
Today, the sport is widely organized by the American Cornhole League (ACL) and other bodies, with pro players, televised events, and official equipment standards.
Wicked Wood Games brings this tradition to Europe. Our boards follow official dimensions (48 × 24 in / 120 × 60 cm) and are built for both casual and competitive play.
Curious about the full story? Read more on Where did Cornhole originate?
Cornhole rules – a quick overview
The official Cornhole rules used in leagues and tournaments are largely based on ACL standards. For casual backyard games you can, of course, adjust them a bit.
- Teams: 1 vs 1 (singles) or 2 vs 2 (doubles).
- Bags: 4 bags per team, usually in two different colors.
- Board distance: The front edges of the boards are 27 ft (8.23 m) apart.
- Scoring: 3 points for a bag in the hole (“cornhole”), 1 point for a bag on the board, 0 points if it hits the ground.
- Round scoring: Only the difference in points between the two teams is added (cancellation scoring).
- Winning: First team to reach (or exceed) 21 points wins.
For a full explanation, examples and diagrams, check out our Cornhole rules page.
Technique & throws – tips for better scores
In Cornhole small adjustments in technique can make a big difference. Here are some tips used by experienced players:
- Use a smooth underhand motion – no jerky movements, just a relaxed swing.
- Keep the bag flat in your hand to create a stable “flat” spin in the air.
- Aim for the front of the board and let the bag slide towards the hole.
- Experiment with different shots like the slide shot, block shot and airmail (directly in the hole).
Practice at the official Cornhole distance of 27 ft / 8.23 m to build consistency and tournament-level accuracy.
Cornhole for fun vs competitive Cornhole
- Backyard / casual play: great for parties, BBQs and family nights. You can shorten the distance to 15–20 ft for kids or smaller spaces.
- Competitive Cornhole: played at 27 ft distance with professional Cornhole bags (approx. 16 oz / 450 g) and consistent board conditions.
- In tournaments, games strictly follow cancellation scoring and official rules for fouls, foot faults, time limits and more.
Whether you play casually or competitively, a quality Cornhole set makes the game more fun, consistent and fair.
Cornhole bags and sets
Our Cornhole bags are filled with corn or resin pellets and weigh around 16 oz (≈ 450 g) per bag. They are double-stitched and built to meet official standards.
Combine them with a Cornhole set in official size (48 × 24 in / 120 × 60 cm) or choose a slightly smaller 90 × 60 cm set that’s easier to carry and perfect for kids and compact spaces.
Why the Cornhole game is so popular
- Easy to learn: anyone can join in within a minute.
- Competitive: great for leagues, office tournaments and festivals.
- Social: perfect with friends, family and co-workers.
- Durable: boards made from high-quality European wood for long-term use.
- Custom designs: personalize your Cornhole set with logos, team colors or wedding artwork.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cornhole?
Cornhole is an outdoor tossing game where players throw fabric bags towards a wooden board with a hole. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, on the board 1 point.
What is the official Cornhole distance?
The official Cornhole distance is 27 ft (8.23 m) between the front edges of the boards. For kids and casual play you can move the boards closer together.
How much does a Cornhole bag weigh?
Standard Cornhole bags weigh around 16 oz (about 450 g) and are filled with corn or resin pellets.
Can I play Cornhole in my backyard?
Yes – the Cornhole game is ideal for backyards, driveways and parks. Just make sure you have enough space and a relatively flat surface.
