What is Cornhole and How to Play in Europe— Cornhole Europa Rules & Scoring System

Simple scoring system for cornhole in Europe.

Cornhole — The Ultimate Game Anyone Can Play & Everyone Has Fun

-For family, corporate, work, party or church events

-For all ability levels & rules that are simple enough to play without speaking the same language

-Can be played indoors or outdoors

-Originally invented in Germany

Cornhole training can never start too young!

“Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Imagine a medieval German spring day. Children laughing and throwing rocks into a hole in the ground from a distance. One child knocks the other one over out of jealousy as his rock is bounced out of the hole by his opponent. They didn’t know it at the time in 1431, but they started the beginnings of cornhole as we know it today!

How to Play Cornhole & Rules

To Earn Points when Playing with Teams of 2:

• The game is played in innings. One member of each team stands on opposite sides of the court next to a cornhole board. One side (consisting of two players from opposite teams) takes turns alternately tossing bags toward the board on opposite side of court until all 8 bags are thrown (4 from each team).
• Points are counted at the end of all 8 bags tossed and points tallied. End of inning. The next inning begins when players start tossing from other side of court.
• Bags can be tossed any way the athlete prefers but must be tossed from the pitchers boxes next to the near cornhole board. All pitches must be made from this area. Players must remain in the same box for the entire inning.
• No player substitutions allowed. All bags and boards must be pre-approved by the tournament host prior to play.

Method of Scoring

• Three Points: A hole-in scores three points. This is a bag that passes through the hole. It can be tossed there, come to rest there after sliding across the board, or knocked in by another bag.
• One Point: Any bag that lands on the board (bags-in-the-court) (but doesn’t pass through the hole) earns one point. However, the bag cannot touch the ground (or any other part of the court) before resting on the board.
• Zero Points: A bag that comes to rest anywhere outside the board and does not pass through the hole earns zero points. Any cornhole bag that hits the ground before landing on the board is considered a foul and must be taken off the board before play resumes. All bags that slide off or are knocked off by opponents or self bags are zero points.
• The first team (or competitor in singles play) to reach or exceed 21 points wins.
• It is possible for a team to win via a skunk. If one team scores 11 or more points before the opponent score any points, the team that has scored wins.
• A match cannot terminate mid-inning. Even if a team reaches 21 points, play must continue until the inning concludes.
• If, at the end of the inning, teams are tied at or beyond 21 points, play will continue until there is a winner. The winning team must win by 2 points.

There is no referee. It is a game of honor. Ladies and gentlemen self regulate.

Using cancellation scoring (All Points Cancel):

• Hole-ins cancel each other out. If Player A score two hole-ins and Player B scores one, Player A earns only three points and Player B earns zero. The hole-ins cancel each other out and only the hole-ins that are not cancelled out earn points.
• Bags in-the-court cancel each other out. If Player A lands three bags in-the-court and Player B lands two bags in-the-court, Player A earns one point and Player B earns zero. The in-the-court bags cancel each other out and only the un-cancelled bags earn points.

Board and Bag Dimensions

• This is covered in another post. Check on that link for regulation sizes and how to build boards in Europe with the fabulous metric system.
• Boards are 48" x 24" (122cm x 61 cm). Bags are minimum 6" square and 1 lb heavy and filled with cornfeed.
• Of course modified equipment may be and is encouraged to be used for those with differing abilities.

Fouls

The following actions are considered fouls. If one of these things should happen, the tossed bag must be removed from the court before play can resume:

• Crossing the foul line while pitching
• Stepping outside the pitcher’s box after entering it with the intention of tossing
• Failing to toss the cornhole bag within 20 seconds of entering the pitcher’s box
• Switching pitcher’s boxes during the same inning
• Dropping the bag after the pitch’s forward swing has begun
• Misconduct is determined by the host of the tournament.

Court Dimensions

Cornhole Court Tournament Dimensions.

• The easiest way to modify for differently-abled people is to modify the length of the court. Please do so accordingly so everyone can share in the fun!
• Tournament regulation courts are 27 feet (8.2 meters) from the front end of one cornhole board to the other.
• A large, rectangular area is needed–at least 10 feet wide (3 x 14 m) by 45 feet long.
• If multiple cornhole courts are laid out side-by-side, there must be 10 to 12 feet between each.
• If the cornhole court is set up inside, there must be 12 (3.7m) feet of vertical clearance.
• The cornhole court must be level.
• Before play begins, all players must evaluate the condition of the cornhole court. Any obstacles should be removed prior to play. No changes can be made the court once play begins.
• To reduce the effects of sun, avoid courts that are aligned north to south.
• A pitcher’s box can be found parallel to each cornhole board. It extends three feet (1 m)from either side of the board. All pitches must be made from this area — the players must remain in the same box for the entire inning.
• The foul line extends parallel from the front edge of each cornhole board.
• The foul line for junior play will be 21 feet (6.4m)from the front edge of one cornhole to the front edge of the opposite board.
• The foul line for adult play will be 27 feet (8.2m) from the front edge of one cornhole to the front edge of the opposite board.

Summer season is heating up! Throw a tournament and raise money for your favorite cause. Gets your boards out and get started! Want to learn how to build your own? Learn here ->.

Let’s Throw Some Bags,

CornholeEuropa

Cornhole Europa