Cornhole 101: The Basics

Welcome to the exciting world of cornhole – a game that may seem deceptively simple but offers a thrilling challenge for all skill levels. Let's dive into the fundamentals and kick things off with the cornhole board itself.

The Cornhole Board is a wooden board measuring 2ft x 4ft long with a six-inch diameter target hole, nine inches from the back of the board. 

The two boards are positioned 27 feet apart, each with a dedicated lane on either side. In singles play, one player competes against another, while in doubles play, two-player teams face off against each other, with teammates positioned on the same side of the board, directly across from their opponents.

Some key features to keep in mind when comparing cornhole boards is board weight, top thickness, board finish, and series stamp. ACL Officially licensed cornhole boards feature three levels of boards to match your play style including: ACL REC, ACL COMP, and ACL PRO.

ACL BOARDS 

ACL REC - ACL REC boards weigh in at 16lbs. each and have a top thickness of 12mm crafted from sanded poplar board, with oversized solid wood legs and dual cross beams preventing excess movement. 

ACL COMP - ACL COMP boards weigh in at 25 lbs. each and have a top thickness of 15mm, 4-coat proprietary finish, and cabinet grade construction. Similar to the PRO board it features a dual cross beam frame and heavy-duty H-leg design to reduce board bounce. 

ACL PRO - ACL PRO boards weigh in at 31lbs. each and have a top thickness of 18mm, 6-coat proprietary UV finish, cabinet grade construction, and provide the most rigidity for NO BOUNCE play. 

 

The Cornhole Bags 

The typical cornhole bag is made from durable fabric, like duck cloth or canvas, and measures around 6 inches by 6 inches. Cornhole bags come in various colors and designs, allowing players to add a touch of personal style to their game. It's common for each team to have their own set of bags, usually with distinct colors or patterns, to differentiate them during gameplay. The quality of cornhole bags can vary, with some designed for casual play and others meeting professional standards. High-quality bags are often double stitched to withstand rigorous use and feature consistent weight and filling distribution to ensure fair gameplay. 

Officially licensed ACL cornhole bags provide three levels of playstyle, ranging from backyard BBQ competitions all the way to ACL Pro Circuit equipment, designed for premium performance.  

ACL BAGS

ACL REC BAGS - Dual-sided, suede and canvas bags for variable shot selection, with dust-free filler for no mess gameplay

ACL COMP BAGS - Poly-FD1 and Poly-DT1 fabrics, the Afterburner is a versatile choice for up-and-coming players, providing a wide variety of shot options. Dust-Free Resin (DFR) blend enables perfectly duplicated throws, through consistent pellet weight, along with all-weather resistance for ultimate durability. CNC machine sewn and double stitched for exacting standards and ACL® COMP certified consistency. 

SPEED RATING: Dual Speed Bag: 93 Fast and 71 Slow ratings. 

ACL PRO BAGS - The dual-sided GameChanger™ features patented technology offering advanced shot selections for serious players, while heightening bag control for defensive maneuvers, empowering precise targeting and increased scoring. Proprietary GameChanger™, dual-weight resin blend engineered with Dust-Free Resin Technology (DFR) ensures hole-friendly weight distribution for enhanced scoring. 

Play what the pros play, with these regulation sized 6” x 6”, 16oz bags, CNC machine sewn and double stitched for exacting standards and ACL® PRO certified consistency. 

SPEED RATING: Dual Speed Bag: 97 Fast and 72 Slow ratings. 

 

The Score 

In each round of cornhole, every team or player is allocated four bags. The opposing teams or players take turns, throwing one bag at a time until all eight bags in the round, or four bags per team, have been tossed. Scoring is as follows: a bag in the hole earns three points, while a bag on the board earns one point. However, we employ cancellation scoring. For example, if Team A scores nine points and Team B scores eight points, Team A would earn one point towards the overall score. We play with a 21 or over, no-bust rule. Unlike the casual backyard version, hitting exactly 21 points is not required. Going over the 21-point mark signifies victory and crowns you as the champion of your first cornhole game. 

 

ACL : AMERICAN CORNHOLE LEAGUE 

The American Cornhole League is the worldwide sanctioning body for professional cornhole. We are the real deal, originators of competitive cornhole. Hosting over 25,000 tournaments per year, with over 6 million in winnings. From the backyard to the pro circuit, the ACL sets the standard for cornhole equipment worldwide, delivering a premium cornhole playing experience.