Cornhole is a fun and competitive game that’s easy to learn but difficult to master. Whether you’re playing for fun in the backyard or participating in an official tournament, knowing how many points you need to win the game is essential. The scoring system in cornhole is designed to keep the game engaging and challenging, with points awarded based on where you land your bags on the cornhole board.
In this article, we will explain how many points are required to win cornhole, detail how the scoring system works, and provide tips for winning the game.
The number of points needed to win a cornhole game typically depends on the rules you are playing by, but the most common point total to win is 21 points. Here’s a breakdown of the rules:
• Standard Winning Points: A game of cornhole is typically played to 21 points. The first player or team to reach exactly 21 points wins the game. However, if a player or team goes over 21 points, their score is “busted,” and they have to go back to the previous score they were at before exceeding 21 points.
• Cancellation Scoring: The official cornhole scoring system uses a cancellation method. This means that points are not simply added up; instead, players’ or teams’ points are canceled out against their opponents’ points during each round.
Before diving into how the scoring impacts the final score and how does cornhole work, let’s first explain how points are earned during a round of cornhole.
• In the Hole: A bag that goes through the hole (often referred to as a “swish”) scores 3 points.
• On the Board: A bag that lands and stays on the board, without falling off, scores 1 point.
Each player or team has 4 bags per round, and they take turns throwing the bags toward the board. After all 8 bags have been thrown (4 per player/team), points are tallied based on their placement on the board.
The cancellation scoring system means that after each round, the points scored by one player or team are canceled out by the points scored by their opponent. Here’s how it works:
• At the end of the round, each player/team’s total points are calculated.
• Points are canceled out between players or teams. For example, if Player A scores 6 points in a round (3 bags on the board and 1 bag in the hole) and Player B scores 4 points (2 bags on the board and 1 in the hole), the 4 points from Player B are subtracted from Player A’s score. Player A would then earn 2 points (6-4).
• The player or team with the higher score after the cancellation keeps the points, while the other player/team earns no points for that round.
This process continues until one player or team reaches 21 points and wins the game.
A common rule in cornhole is the “bust rule.” If a player or team exceeds 21 points in a round, they lose all points for that round and must return to the previous score they had before going over.
For example:
• If Player A has 19 points and then scores 3 points in a round, they would have 22 points, which is over the 21-point limit.
• As a result, Player A’s score is “busted,” and they return to their previous score of 19 points. This prevents players from simply rushing to 21 points without carefully considering their throws.
The bust rule helps keep the game challenging and ensures players don’t win by accidentally going over the point limit.
While 21 points is the standard winning score for cornhole, different variations of the game may have different point totals:
• 21 Points (Standard): Most casual and tournament cornhole games are played to 21 points, with the bust rule in effect.
• 11 or 15 Points (Shortened Games): In some informal or time-limited games, players may agree to play to 11 points or 15 points instead of 21. This shortens the game and makes it quicker to play.
• Timed Games: In certain situations, especially at events or tournaments, cornhole may be played within a set time frame, and the winner is determined by who has the most points when time runs out.
It’s always a good idea to confirm the point total before starting a game, especially when playing in casual settings where variations are more common.
While understanding the rules and how to score in cornhole is essential, knowing some strategies can help you win the game:
• Aim for the Hole: The goal is to get as many bags in the hole as possible. A bag in the hole is worth 3 points, so perfecting your tosses and developing a high-arc throw can give you a big advantage.
• Use the Block Shot: If your opponent is consistently landing bags in the hole, use the “block” strategy. You can place your bags on the board in a way that makes it difficult for your opponent to land their bags in the hole.
• The Slide Shot: Mastering the slide shot, where your bag slides into the hole after landing on the board, can be an effective way to score points.
• Play Defensively: If your opponent has a bag in the hole, you can use your next bag to “bump” it out of the hole by throwing your own bag into it. This can help you reduce your opponent’s score.
• Stay Calm: Cornhole requires precision, and staying focused and calm while throwing can improve your accuracy.
In cornhole, a player or team needs to score exactly 21 points to win the game. The scoring system involves awarding 3 points for a bag in the hole and 1 point for a bag on the board, with points being canceled out between opponents after each round. The game also uses the bust rule, where going over 21 points causes a player/team to lose the points they earned in that round.
Whether you are playing casually with friends or in a competitive tournament, understanding the points and strategies will help you play better and enjoy the game even more.
