Here are the basic bean bag toss rules:
- 2 or 4 Players divided into teams with one member of each team on the opposing sides. You can also play with only 2 people, both standing on the same side, throwing only at one board.
- Each team has 4 bags to throw onto the board across from them.
- Boards are placed about 27 feet apart
- Players take turns throwing their bags to the opposing board.
- Standing to throw, your toes can not pass the end of your own board.
- Scoring is counted after all 8 bags have been thrown: 3 points for each bag that went through the hole and 1 point for every bag sitting on the board.
- Bean bags that are knocked off the board will not get points at the end of the round. However, if a bag is knocked through the hole, it will get 3 points at the end of the round to that bag’s ‘owner’.
- The game is won when a team gets 21 points.
Read on below for more details on game rules, scoring, making your own boards, and more!
So what’s the name of that game where you throw bean bags into a hole? Cornhole! Or, you can also just call it bean bags. Either way, this is one of the best bean bag toss games around! Not only does it make everyone playing have a bit of a competitive side but who knew that tossing fabric bags filled with corn would be such an addictive and fun game? (and parents – it’s your time to challenge your kids to a game that you just might win!)
If you’re looking for a fun game that everyone in the family can play, you’re not going to want to miss out on a family-friendly game of corn hole. Read on to get all your questions answered: how to play bean bag toss? What are the rules? Can you make your own boards? and much more!
(This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through my link I receive a small commission at no added cost to you. See my policy page for more information)
Cornhole – One of the best bean bag toss games
In my opinion, this is one of the best bean bag toss games there are. We ALWAYS have a blast when we play this game. This post will give you some basic tips about bean bag toss games so that you’ll be geared up and ready to play.
What is bean bag toss/cornhole?
Before diving into the rules of cornhole, it’s important to understand exactly what it is. If you’re wanting to play a bean bag toss game, the first thing to know is that you can literally start playing this game, right now.
While there are a few skills that you’re going to learn along the way, as long as you can toss a bag and aim it towards a hole, you’re not going to have any problems at all.
Cornhole, also known as bean bag toss, is basically a game where two wooden boards with a hole are positioned out 25-30 feet apart. There are two people standing at each board and they take turns tossing the bean bags back and forth.
It’s super popular for campers, tailgating parties, backyard fun, and is just an overall great outdoor game that is certain to provide hours of fun.
How to play bean bag toss?
What is the objective of bean bag toss?
Well, to have fun of course! But, besides that, the objective of bean bag toss is to be the team who scores the most points or arrives at a pre-determined score first.
Bean bag toss rules: (also posted at the top of this page)
- 2 or 4 Players divided into teams with one member of each team on the opposing sides.
- Each team member has 4 bags to throw onto the board across from them.
- Boards are placed about 27 feet apart
- Players take turns throwing their bags to the opposing board, either alternating through all 4 players or one team throwing all their bags in one direction, then switching.
- Standing to throw, your toes can not pass the end of your own board.
- Scoring is counted after all 8 bags have been thrown: 3 points for each bag that went through the hole and 1 point for every bag sitting on the board.
- Bean bags that are knocked off the board will not get points at the end of the round. However, if a bag is knocked through the hole, it will get 3 points at the end of the round to that bag’s ‘owner’.
- The game is won when a team gets 21 points.
Bean Bag Toss Rules for 2 Players
- Players will stand and throw at the same board.
- Players will throw 4 bags each, taking turns
- Players try to get their own bags through the hole or know opponent’s bags from the board
- Points are counted as follows at the end of each turn: 3 points to a bag that goes through the hole, 1 point for a bag on the board
- The game is won when a player gets 21 points
Bean bag toss distance between boards:
Beanbag toss distance is 27 feet. Meaning, the Cornhole Boards or Bean Bag Toss Boards are placed 27 feet apart, meaning there will be 27 feet in between the two boards. Although you can really decide to play at any distance you want!
How do you keep score in cornhole?
After all bags have been thrown, Bean Bags are scored as follows:
- A bag through the hole is 3 points
- A bag on the board is 1 point
- A bag on the board but also touching the ground is removed from the board and scores no points
But, this is were fights can start… different families might want to count points differently.
My family likes to ‘cancel’ opponent’s points. So for example, let’s say there are 2 red bags and 1 blue bag through the hole and 1 red bag on the board. The points for red are 3 (since the other red bag and blue bag cancel each other out), plus 1 for the one on the board. 3+1=4 for red, 0 for blue.
Others may want to count all points. So, in the above scenario, Red would have 2×3 (2 bags through the hole), plus 1 point on the board. And blue would have 3 points for going through the hole. Red=6+1=7, Blue = 3
In this latter point counting system games will go faster as points will accumulate faster, higher scores each round.
Another contentious score keeping detail is whether or not the winning team must arrive exactly at 21 points or if the team to go over 21 points first, wins.
If the team is allowed to go over 21 points on their turn to win, then it’s really moot and that’s a simple way to play the game.
But if your rule is that they have to land exactly on 21 to win, this definitely adds a bit of difficulty to the game. Most people will play that if the team is in the final round of getting points to reach 21 and they go over, then they just cancel out that round and try again the next time that it’s their turn.
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you take turns counting points first. One round blue will throw first and have their points counted first. Next round Red with throw first and their points will be counted first.
The cool part about all of this score-keeping is that ultimately you can decide how you want to keep score. It’s totally up to the players!
How to make cornhole boards
Get your cornhole plans here to make your own regulation boards. If you’re handy, you can save some money and make your own boards for your bean bag toss games. My auntie’s tip is to double bag the beans (or dried corn) to decrease your likeliness of holes.
Best Cornhole / Bean Bag Toss Games to Purchase:
The top rated Bean Bag Toss Games you can get from Amazon in 2022! You can purchase ‘travel’ sets that pop up, but I find that there is benefit to the boards having some weight and solidness to them for the game to be played successfully. Also, don’t forget to grab yourself some extra bags because your kids are sure to loose one, break one, or forget one (or all of them) in the rain!
When to pull out your bean bag toss?
Cornhole is perfect for large families with varying ages and abilities – family reunions, camping, backyard bbq, tailgating, the schoolyard, carnival days, etc.
I can promise you that if you set up a cornhole game, everyone will want to join in on the fun no matter where you are.
Bean bag toss and little kids
There’s no need to follow the rules. My littles love playing with these sets and making their own rules. Looking for something new to occupy the kids with in the backyard? Pull out the boards, give them the baggies and let them play!
No matter what, this bean bag toss game is perfect for family fun. All ages are welcome to play and join in on each and every game!
<