What happens if a bag hits the ground first and then bounces onto the board?

This is an automatic foul bag worth 0 points. Under ACA official rules, any bag that contacts the ground, grass, or court surface before coming to rest on the board is dead. It must be immediately removed from the board before the next pitch so that it cannot interfere with subsequent throws or be knocked into the hole.

What is the rule for a bag hanging over the edge or over the hole?

• Hanging in the hole: If a bag is hanging over the hole and does not drop through on its own before the inning ends, it counts as 1 point (Woody). If a subsequent bag knocks it through the hole, it becomes 3 points (Cornhole). • Hanging off the board edge: A bag hanging over the board edge has value (1 point) as long as NO part of the bag touches the ground. If a blade of grass or dirt touches the fabric, it is ruled 0 points (Foul Bag).

Who pitches first in the next inning (The Honor / Push rule)?

The player or team who scored points in the preceding inning earns the "honor" of pitching first in the next inning. If neither team scored (a 0-0 frame or an equal cancellation wash like 3-3), the player/team who pitched first in the previous frame retains the first pitch in the next frame.

What is the official distance between cornhole boards?

• Open Adult Play: 27 feet (8.23 m) measured from the front edge of one board directly to the front edge of the opposing board. • Junior Play (Ages 12 & Under): 12 to 15 feet (3.66 m to 4.57 m) between board front edges. • Total Court Length: 40 to 45 feet minimum to accommodate the boards and 4x3 ft pitcher's boxes on each side.

What constitutes a foot fault or pitcher's box violation?

Each pitcher must remain entirely within their 4 ft by 3 ft pitcher's box and behind the 27 ft foul line (the imaginary line extending from the front of the board) at the moment of bag release. If a player steps on or over the foul line or steps outside the pitcher's box before releasing the bag, the throw is declared a foul bag, must be removed immediately, and awards 0 points.

Do you have to hit exactly 21 points to win, or can you exceed 21?

• Official Sanctioned Rules (ACA & ACL): "Traditional 21" — The first team to reach or exceed 21 points at the completion of an inning wins the match. There is NO bust penalty. • Casual House Rule ("Bust to 11 / 15"): In casual backyard games, some players play "Exact 21". If a team exceeds 21 points (e.g., reaching 22 or 23), their score busts and resets back to 11, 13, or 15 points.

Is there a time limit for pitching each bag?

Yes. Under sanctioned tournament regulations, a player must deliver their bag within 20 seconds of stepping into the pitcher's box or within 20 seconds of the opponent's previous pitch coming to rest. Failure to deliver within 20 seconds results in a foul bag penalty.

What happens if you knock your opponent's bag into the hole?

If your throw makes contact with an opponent's bag resting on the board and knocks it into the hole, the opponent receives the full 3 points for that bag. Similarly, if you knock an opponent's bag off the board onto the ground, their bag is reduced from 1 point to 0 points.

What is the penalty if someone touches or removes bags before scoring is agreed upon?

If a player prematurely touches or picks up bags from the board before both players have verified the score: 1. The offending team forfeits all remaining unpitched bags and counts only the score of bags thrown before the infraction. 2. The non-offending team is awarded 12 points (as if pitching four 3-point Cornholes) for that inning.

How do players rotate in Doubles play?

In Doubles play, both players on a team stay in the same lane (e.g. Left Lane) for the entire match. One partner stands at the Headboard and the other partner stands at the Footboard facing them. Headboard players pitch their 4 bags, and then Footboard players score the frame and pitch their 4 bags back. Players do NOT switch sides or walk across boards in doubles.

What are the official specifications for ACA cornhole bags?

Official cornhole bags must: • Measure 6.25 x 6.25 inches with a 1/4-inch double-stitched seam on all 4 sides (finished size ~6 x 6 inches). • Weigh between 14.0 and 16.25 ounces (397g to 461g). • Have a thickness of approximately 1.0 inch (± 1/8 inch) when laid flat. • Be filled with clean, all-weather plastic resin pellets or approved corn feed enclosed in durable duck canvas fabric.

What are the official dimensions of a regulation Cornhole board?

Official ACA boards measure: • Deck: 47.5 to 48 inches long by 23.5 to 24 inches wide, made of at least 1/2-inch smooth plywood. • Hole: Exactly 6.0 inches (± 1/4 inch) in diameter, centered 9 inches from the top edge and 12 inches from each side edge. • Heights: 3 to 4 inches at the front lip, and 12 inches (± 1/4 inch) at the back from ground to deck surface.

What is the "Skunk" or "Mercy" rule in cornhole?

The Skunk rule is a popular house rule where the game ends immediately before reaching 21 if one team establishes a dominant shutout lead (commonly 11-0, 13-0, or 7-0 after at least 3 innings of play). Official ACA tournament play does not use the skunk rule unless explicitly declared by the tournament director.

Home / Rules / Cornhole

Official ACA & ACL Sanctioned Standards

Verified 2026 Edition

Official Cornhole Rules & Regulation Guide

The complete, authoritative guide to American Cornhole Association (ACA) rules. Master official court dimensions, cancellation scoring mechanics, bag and board tolerances, foul penalties, and backyard house rule variations.

Foul Line Distance

27 FT Adult

12–15 FT for Junior play

Board Size

48" x 24" Deck

6.0" Diameter Hole

Bag Specifications

14 – 16.25 oz

6" x 6" Duck Canvas

Winning Target

Traditional 21

Net Cancellation Scoring

Launch Cornhole Bracket Generator Cornhole Coin Toss

Official Court Setup

Court Dimensions, Foul Lines & Pitcher's Boxes

Under official American Cornhole Association regulations, a cornhole court must be a level rectangular area 8 to 10 feet wide and a minimum of 40 to 45 feet long. The playing court consists of two official cornhole boards facing one another, four designated pitcher's boxes, and established foul lines.

Interactive Diagram

Official Cornhole Court Dimensions & Blueprint

Toggle between Open Adult and Junior regulation distances. Click any zone on the court diagram below to inspect official measurements and ACA rule citations.

ACA Sanctioned Section 1.327 FT (8.23 m)

Open Adult Foul Line (27 Feet)

The adult foul line is an imaginary line defined 27 feet between the front edge of each board. Pitchers must not step on or cross this line before bag release.

Court Boundary

8–10' x 40–45'

Level, unobstructed rectangular court area.

Adult Foul Distance

27 Feet (8.23 m)

Measured from board front edge to board front edge.

Junior Foul Distance

12–15 Feet

Sanctioned distance for players aged 12 and under.

Pitcher's Boxes

4' x 3' (4 Boxes)

Parallel to and on both sides of each board deck.

Format Mechanics

Singles vs. Doubles Inning Structure

Every cornhole match is divided into innings. During an inning, each side pitches exactly 4 bags.

1v1

Singles Rule: Player A competes directly against Player B. Both players remain in their designated lane (Left or Right) for the entire match and walk down together after all 8 bags are pitched.

Station at Headboard

Both players begin in their respective pitcher’s boxes beside the headboard facing the footboard 27 feet away.

Alternate Pitching (8 Bags)

Players alternate throws (Player A throw 1, Player B throw 1...) until each player has pitched all 4 bags. Underhand release only.

Walk Lane & Score

Players walk down their lane to the footboard, mutually tally the score, apply cancellation math, and update the match board.

Next Inning (Honor Pitch)

The player who scored net points throws first. If 0-0 or washed out, the player who pitched first previously pitches first again.

Live Math Tool

Official Cancellation Scoring Simulator

Click the bag chips to cycle values (Cornhole 3 pts → Woody 1 pt → Foul 0 pts) or test classic match scenarios. Watch real-time cancellation subtraction and pitching honor resolve.

Team Red (4 Bags)

Gross Score

5 pts

In Hole: 1 (x3)On Board: 2 (x1)Off/Foul: 1 (x0)

Team Blue (4 Bags)

Gross Score

3 pts

In Hole: 1 (x3)On Board: 0 (x1)Off/Foul: 3 (x0)

Inning Net Resolution Formula

Team Red earns +2 Net Points

Math: Team Red (5) − Team Blue (3) = 2 Net Points awarded to Red.

Next Inning Pitching Honor

Team Red Throws First

ACA Honor & Push Rulebook Standard

Official Sanctioned Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions & Rulebook Clarifications

Resolve backyard disputes and tournament edge cases with official ACA rule citations. Filter by topic or search specific terms.

In official American Cornhole Association (ACA) cancellation scoring, the points scored by one player/team in an inning cancel out the points scored by the opposing team. Only the difference is awarded to the team with the higher score for that inning. For example: If Team Red scores 5 gross points (one 3-pt Cornhole + two 1-pt Woodies) and Team Blue scores 3 gross points (one 3-pt Cornhole), the 3 points cancel out, and Team Red is awarded 2 net points (5 - 3 = 2).

There are three possible outcomes for each pitched bag: • Bag In-The-Hole (Cornhole / Airmail / Dinger): 3 Points. Any bag that passes completely through the hole or is pushed through the hole by another bag. • Bag In-The-Count (Woody / Board): 1 Point. Any bag that comes to rest on top of the board surface without touching the ground. • Foul Bag / Miss: 0 Points. Any bag that lands off the board, touches the ground, or bounces onto the board after making contact with the ground/grass.

Equipment Specifications

Official Cornhole Board & Bag Tolerances

To maintain fair competitive play, equipment must strictly conform to ACA manufacturing specifications. Both boards and bags undergo rigorous checks for dimensions, weight, smoothness, and bounce.

Cornhole Boards

ACA Standard Specs

Regulation Wood

Deck Length & Width: 47.5" to 48" L × 23.5" to 24" W

Deck Thickness: At least 1/2-inch smooth plywood (3/4" preferred)

Hole Diameter: 6.0" (± 1/4") centered

Hole Center Placement: 9" from top edge, 12" from each side edge

Front Deck Height: 3 to 4 inches from ground to deck surface

Back Deck Height: 12.0 inches (± 1/4") from ground to top of deck

Finish standard: Board surfaces must be sanded to an ultra-smooth finish with zero blemishes, gouges, or sticky paint that would disrupt bag slide.

Cornhole Bags

Dual-Fabric Standard

14–16.25 oz

Bag Dimensions: 6.25" × 6.25" square (finished ~6" × 6")

Finished Weight: 14.0 to 16.25 ounces (397g – 461g)

Seam & Stitching: 1/4-inch double-stitched seam on all 4 sides

Flat Thickness: Approximately 1.0 inch (± 1/8")

Fabric Material: Heavy-duty 10–12 oz duck canvas or synthetic suede/speed fabric

Internal Fill: All-weather plastic resin pellets or clean whole corn feed

Color standard: Each player or team must use 4 distinctly colored bags (e.g. 4 solid Red vs 4 solid Blue) easily distinguishable from 27 feet away.

Gameplay Flow

Inning Dynamics & Lane Discipline

Inning Definition

Every match is divided into innings. An inning is never completed until both players pitch all four of their bags (8 bags total thrown per inning).

Lane Discipline

Each player or team stays in their designated lane (Left or Right) for the entire match. Players must not cross over to the opposing pitcher's box during play.

Alternate Pitching

Players alternate turns one bag at a time. The player with the honor throws Bag 1, followed by their opponent, until all 8 bags have been pitched.

Scoring System

Bag Values & Cancellation Math

In The Hole 3 PTS

Bag In-The-Hole (Cornhole)

Any bag that is pitched through the 6-inch hole or knocked completely into the hole by another bag during the inning.

On The Deck 1 PT

Bag In-The-Count (Woody)

Any bag that comes to rest anywhere on top of the board deck at the completion of the inning without touching the ground.

Miss / Violation 0 PTS

Foul Bag / Off-Board

Any bag that misses the board, touches the ground, bounces onto the deck from the grass, or violates the 20-second pitch clock.

How Cancellation Scoring Works

In cancellation scoring, only one team can score points per inning. Points scored by one side cancel out equal points scored by the opposing side. Only the positive mathematical difference is added to the running match score.

Example Scenario A:

• Team Red: 1 in hole (3 pts) + 2 on board (2 pts) = 5 gross pts
• Team Blue: 1 in hole (3 pts) + 0 on board = 3 gross pts
• Result: Red scores 2 net points (5 − 3 = 2).

Example Scenario B (Clean Wash):

• Team Red: 2 in hole (6 pts) + 0 on board = 6 gross pts
• Team Blue: 2 in hole (6 pts) + 0 on board = 6 gross pts
• Result: 0 points awarded (6 − 6 = 0). Wash/Push frame.

Pitching Protocol

Pitching Rotation, Stance & "The Honor"

The "Honor" Rule

The player or team who scored points in the preceding inning has the honor of pitching first in the next inning.

The Push / Wash Exception: If neither player or team scores (a 0-0 frame or an equal wash), the player/team who pitched first in the preceding frame retains first pitch in the next frame.

Stance & Delivery Rules

Underhand Release: All bags must be pitched with an underhand release.
20-Second Pitch Clock: Bags must be released within 20 seconds of stepping into the pitcher's box.
Box Containment: Pitchers must remain completely inside the 4x3 ft pitcher's box behind the foul line until release.

Violations & Penalties

Foul Bags & Immediate Removal Procedures

A foul bag is defined as any throw that violates ACA rules. Foul bags must be immediately removed from the court/board before play resumes so they cannot interfere with subsequent pitches.

Violation (a)

Foot Fault / Line Crossing

Stepping on/over the 27 ft foul line or outside the pitcher's box before releasing the bag.

Violation (d)

Ground-to-Board Bounce

Any bag that contacts the grass/ground before coming to rest on the board is dead (0 pts) and must be removed immediately.

Violation (f)

Ground-Touching Bag

A bag hanging off the board edge that touches the ground/grass is ruled dead (0 pts).

Violation (b)

20-Second Clock Exceeded

Failing to release the bag within 20 seconds of stepping into the pitcher's box.

Violation (e)

Obstruction Strike

Striking an indoor ceiling beam, lighting fixture, tree branch, or hanging wire during flight.

Violation (g)

Premature Bag Removal

Touching bags before agreed score forfeits unpitched bags and awards non-offender 12 pts (4 Cornholes).

Format Variations

Official 21 vs. Popular House Rule Variations

Official Sanctioned Standard 21+ Points

Traditional 21 (No Bust)

The game is played to 21 points. The first player or team to reach or exceed 21 points at the conclusion of an inning is the winner. If both teams exceed 21 in the same inning, the team with the higher score wins.

Popular Backyard Variations

1. Exact 21 (Bust Rule): A team must hit exactly 21. If they exceed 21 (e.g. hit 23), their score busts back down to 11, 13, or 15 points.

2. Non-Cancellation (Speed BBQ): Every Woody (1pt) and Cornhole (3pts) is tallied directly without cancellation subtraction to speed up large party tournaments.

3. Skunk / Mercy Rule: If one team leads 11-0 or 7-0 after at least 3 innings, the game ends immediately as a shutout victory.

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