Constructing a Cornhole Board
Many potential Cornhole players are deterred from playing simply because of the cost of a Cornhole set. Making a Cornhole set, however, can be a low-cost alternative. If you are interested in making your own Cornhole set, a few simple ideas will help you comply with official regulations. A Cornhole set is made up of two rectangular boards. The dimensions of the boards must be 24 inches wide by 48 inches long. There should be a 6 inch circular hole cut out of the top of the board, centered at 12 inches from the side and 9 inches from the top. In addition, the hole end of the Cornhole board must be elevated 12 inches. It is best to have the support at a 90 degree angle. The front of the Cornhole board must be elevated anywhere from 2.5 to 4 inches.
Finishing a Cornhole Set
The board should be smooth, finished with a high gloss latex paint, and free from blemishes. Some decoration is appropriate for personal use, but certain tournament regulations prohibit decorated boards. If making your own Cornhole board, it is important that the board is thick enough for heavy use. When the board is too thin, the weight of the bean bags may cause the board to bounce, creating an unequal and unfair playing surface.
For making bean bags, use two 6 by 6 inch squares of duck canvas, do a double stitch a quarter inch from the edge, and fill with two cups of corn feed (or something similar).
Cornhole Set Up and Game Play
When setting up the Cornhole boards for game play, set the Cornhole boards at 27 feet from each other. The distance from one hole to the other hole should be exactly 33 feet. Bean bags are tossed in alternating order, with one bag thrown from each player until all bags are exhausted. When pitching the Cornhole, the pitcher may stand anywhere on one side of the Cornhole board up to 4 feet away from the board. However, the pitcher cannot leave this 4 feet by 3 feet "pitcher's box" while throwing. For young players and seniors, a distance of 21 feet from the opposing Cornhole board is acceptable.
Every bean bag tossed that lands in the hole counts for 3 points. Every bean bag that lands on the board counts for 1 point, regardless of proximity to the hole. However, no bean bag that first lands on the ground and then bounces on the board will be counted. Any bean bag landing off the board is worth nothing.
Cornhole is scored by "cancellation scoring." This means that only one player will score per round. The score is decided by adding up the number of points gained in a toss. Then, the player with the higher score subtracts the score of the other player from his own score. The resulting number is the score for the round. The first player to reach or exceed 21 points wins.