Cornhole Tips

🎯 Welcome to the Grant Ranch Cornhole League!

 Beginner’s Guide to Cornhole  

Cornhole is easy to learn, fun to play, and great for all ages. Here’s everything you need to know to get started:

 The Basics

• Players: Two players from each team per game. You cannot switch players during a game, but different people can play in each game.

• Boards: Two boards set up 27 feet apart for regulation play (24 feet for beginners).

• Foul Line: The front edge of the board. Players must throw from behind this line—stepping past is a foul.  If a foul is called, your bag toss does not count.

• Bags: Each player/team uses 4 bags of the same color. The league provides bags, but teams are welcome to bring their own.

• App: The league uses Scoreholio for lineup and scoring. Make sure at least one team member each night has the app running. Scoreholio will send your team a push notification when you’re up to play.

Videos to help get you started:

• How to Play Cornhole (Official Rules & Scoring Explained)

• 4 Easy Steps to Improve as a Beginner Cornhole Player

• Master Accurate Cornhole Throws to Win

• How to Throw a Flat Bag (Step-by-Step Grip & Release)

• The Perfect Throw: Stance & Routine Explained 

 Objective

Toss bags onto the board and aim for the hole.

• On the board = 1 point

• In the hole = 3 points

•   Bags that hit the ground first and bounce onto the board, do not count. Remove any bag that hits the ground from the board so it doesn’t interfere with the next throw.  

 Scoring

• Cornhole uses cancellation scoring (points offset each other).

  • Example: If Team A scores 7 points and Team B scores 5 points in the same round, Team A earns 2 points for the round.

• The first team to 21 points wins the game.  

• At the end of the game, the winning team is responsible for ensuring the score is entered into Scoreholio.

• Note: The app records both sides of the score, so be sure to remember the ending score for each team when you submit.  

 How to Play

1. Decide who throws first (flip a coin, toss a bag closest to the hole, rock-paper-scissors, or mutual agreement).

2. Players alternate throws until all 8 bags have been thrown.

3. Do not touch the bags until both teams agree on the score.

4. Tally the score at the end of each round and update on the score towers.

5. The team with the higher score in the previous round throws first in the next round.

   • If no one scores in a round: the last team that scored previously throws first.

   • If the game is still 0–0: the team that threw first continues to throw first.

 Beginner Tips

• Stance: Stand comfortably with your feet behind the front edge of the board. Many players step forward with their opposite foot as they release.

• Grip (Butterfly Hold): Place the bag flat across your fingers with your palm up. Use your thumb to “spread” the beads so the bag lays flat, almost like wings. Keep it flat during the throw and release with a gentle spin for accuracy.

• Throw: Use an underhand toss, releasing the bag in a smooth arc with a flat spin (“pancake style”) to keep it flying straight.

• Aim: Visualize a landing spot 1–2 feet before the hole—bags often slide in.

• Practice: Beginners can start at 20–24 feet to build confidence before moving to regulation distance.

 Fun Lingo

• Cornhole: A bag in the hole (3 points).

• Woody / Boarder: A bag on the board (1 point).

• Airmail: A throw that goes straight into the hole without touching the board.

• Blocker: A bag that lands in front of the hole, blocking opponents.

• Slider: A bag that lands on the board and slides into the hole.

• Wash: When both teams score the same number of points in a round (no points awarded).

• 4-Bagger: When a player lands all four bags in the hole during a single round — a perfect round!  Big bragging rights in the league.

 Scoreholio Notes

• The app will automatically move games in order of the schedule.

• If a team is still playing, the app will skip that game and move to the next matchup where both teams are free.

•  This is why it’s important to score games as soon as they are complete — it keeps the schedule flowing smoothly and lets the next teams queue up without delay.

 League Play

• Keep it fun, friendly, and social—high-fives, laughs, and bragging rights are part of the game!

• Don’t stress if you miss the board or the hole—everyone gets better with practice.

• Make sure to keep the games moving so everyone gets their turns on time.

• Most important: have fun, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the game!

🎯 Grant Ranch Cornhole League 

GrantRanchCornhole@gmail.com