How to Play Corn Toss

Select an outdoor area that is at least 10 feet wide by 45 feet long. Make sure the ground is level. The game may be played on grass, dirt or pavement.

Set up the game. Corn Toss is played with two raised platforms and eight bags. According to the American Cornhole Association, the front of the platforms should be 27 feet apart. This distance may be reduced for amateur players, and 21 feet is recommended for junior players. On the left and right sides of the platforms, mark off a 4-foot-by-3-foot space for the pitchers' boxes. The front of the pitcher's box should be equal to the front of the platform.

Determine who begins play. Many people toss a coin to decide who begins play. The winner of the coin toss may decide if he wants to pitch first or second.

Take positions in the pitchers' boxes. In singles play, with only two players, both players stand at the same platform. In doubles play, with four players, teammates stand at opposite platforms. Thus, each platform has a player from each team. Players may decide to pitch from the left or right of the platform.

Begin to play the game. Players must pitch the bag within 20 seconds of taking position in the pitcher's box. Make sure the player's foot does not go over the front of the pitcher's box or it is considered a foul. In singles play, the two players alternate pitching bags. Each player has four bags. The inning is over when each player has thrown all four bags. In doubles play, the two players at one platform alternate throws. Once they have finished, the two players at the opposite platform alternate throws to complete the inning.

Examine the location of the bags. A bag thrown in the hole is called a corn bag "in-the-hole." A bag that lands on the platform, but does not go in the hole, is called a corn bag "in-the-count." A bag that lands on the ground is called a corn bag "out-of-the-count" and has no scoring value.

Add up the number of points received by each player and record the score. A bag in-the-hole has a value of three points and a bag in-the-count has a value of one point. The game is won when a player reaches or exceeds 21 points. It is not necessary to win by two points. If the score is tied at 21 at the end of an inning, play continues until one player reaches a higher score at the bottom of the next inning.