ACL Cornhole Rules Guide

2025 Edition – For Backyard, League, and Competitive Play

This guide summarizes the American Cornhole League (ACL) rules so that players at any level—novice, intermediate, competitive, or pro—can follow a consistent, fair format whether at home or in official events. It is based on the official ACL Rules & Regulations for the 2024–2025 season published by the American Cornhole League.

Game Objective

Players or teams take turns tossing four bags each toward a raised board with a hole. The objective is to score points by landing bags either on the board (1 point) or through the hole (3 points). The game is played in rounds, and only one team can score per round using cancellation scoring. A match is typically played until one team or player reaches 21 points.

Equipment Specifications

Boards

Length: 48 inches
Width: 24 inches
Hole: 6 inches in diameter, centered 9 inches from the top
Height: 3 to 4 inches in front, 12 inches at the rear

Bags

Size: 6 inches by 6 inches
Weight: 15 to 16 ounces
Material & Fill: Bags are typically filled with plastic resin pellets and often feature dual-sided fabric (slick and sticky) for strategic play, though this is not required
ACL-sanctioned events require ACL-stamped, approved bags

Game Setup

Distance between boards (front to front): 27 feet for adult play
Juniors or casual backyard play may reduce distance to 21 feet
Players must throw from within a pitcher’s box extending 4 feet wide from each edge of the board

Match Formats

Singles: One player per side, alternating tosses
Doubles: Two players per team, with partners on opposite boards

A coin flip determines initial throw order. The player or team that scored in the previous round throws first in the next round.

Scoring

Bag on the board: 1 point
Bag in the hole: 3 points
Bags that touch the ground before landing, or that bounce onto the board: 0 points

Scoring uses cancellation format. For example, if Player A scores 6 and Player B scores 4 in a round, Player A earns 2 points for the frame.

Skill Divisions

ACL classifies players by skill level for fair and structured play:

Novice: Beginners
Intermediate: Players building consistency
Competitive: Solid players with controlled throws and strategy
Advanced: Top amateurs approaching pro status
Pro: Contracted ACL players at the highest level of competition

These levels are tracked using PPR (Points Per Round) in ACL-sanctioned play.

Fouls and Violations

Foot Fault: Stepping outside the pitcher’s box or over the front of the board while throwing

Out-of-Turn Throw: Tossing when it is not your turn results in a dead bag

Illegal Bag: Any bag that hits the ground or another object before landing on the board does not count

Touching Bags Before Frame Ends:
Players must not touch any bags on or near the board until all bags for that round have been thrown and scoring is agreed upon. Prematurely touching a bag may result in a foul, loss of round points, or awarding maximum possible points to the opposing team. All players should confirm scoring before retrieving bags.

Time Violation – 20-Second Shot Clock:
Players must release their bag within 20 seconds of entering the pitcher’s box and having a clear throwing area. If the throw is not released within that window, the bag is considered dead and will not count for points. This rule ensures fairness and game flow and is especially enforced in competitive and pro settings.

Tournament and League Play

ACL events include:

Local Tournaments: Entry-level play for league points
Regionals: Hosted monthly; structured divisions by skill level
Opens: Larger, multi-day events open to all members, featuring tiered brackets
World Championships: The highest annual event, where top players compete for cash, prizes, and ACL Pro status

Players earn points based on performance at each level, contributing to their local, state, and national rankings.

Player Conduct

All players are expected to follow the ACL Code of Conduct. Sportsmanship, fair play, and mutual respect are required at all levels of competition. Infractions can result in forfeiture, suspension, or disqualification.

Summary

This guide is designed to bring clarity and consistency to cornhole games at all levels. Whether you are a backyard player or aiming for the ACL Pro circuit, following these rules ensures a fair and enjoyable experience for everyone.