Maize Madness Cornhole Tournament Rules
These rules mirror the Official rules and regulations for the California Cornhole Association and are put in place to promote consistent play in California.
California Official Rules for Cornhole
Rule A- Court Dimensions
1.1 The cornhole court must be a level rectangle area 8ft. wide and a minimum of 40ft. long. The court will consist of two cornhole boards and a 3x4 pitchers box on each side of the boards. When multiple sets are used side by side there must be a minimum of 8ft between sets, 10 to 12 is preferred.
1.2 Foul lines consist of the pitchers box. The front foul line is the lead edge of the boards, 3ft on both sides of the boards and the back edge of the boards. A player must remain the pitchers box while tossing the cornhole bag. Stepping over any line results in a foul. Starting beyond the foul line will also result in a foul.
1.3 There must be 27’ between the front edge of each board.
Rule B- Equipment Standards
1.1 All cornhole decks will be an approximate 2ft by 4ft. rectangle made of approximate ¾ inch furniture grade maple or birch plywood.
1.2 Each set will have a 6 inch hole centered 9 inches from the top of the board
1.3 The front of the cornhole board must be a minimum of 3 inches in height. The height of the cornhole board at the back must be 12 inches from the ground.
1.4 The legs of the boards must have a cross member connecting one leg to the other, this will help stabilize the legs and keep bags under the set. In turn this will reduce any controversy of a bag being airmailed through the hole.
1.5 All sets used in tournament play will have a smooth deck with at least 3 coats of clear.
1.6 Cornhole bags must be made of either two (2) – 6 inch squares of duck canvas or one (1) 6 square of duck canvas or one (1) square of suede. Bags can be filled with either whole dried fed corn or resin pellets and must weigh between 14-16 ounces.
1.7 Courts must be maintained throughout play and only be adjusted through innings. All efforts are to be made so that the boards are at proper distance before an inning starts. There will be no adjustments once an inning has started. The front foul line and distance between sets must be maintained. If there is an issue with court lay out that the group cannot agree on a certified official must be called.
Rule C- Tournament and Game Play
1.1 Cornhole can be played in double or single match format. In doubles there are four players per court. Two people per team. Each team will have a member at each deck and must be in the same lane as their teammate. In singles play both players toss from the same deck and must stay in the same lane when tossing from the opposite end.
1.2 Every cornhole match is played in innings. In each inning each player must toss all four bags with alternating throws.
1.3 A cornhole bag that is tossed in the hole is worth three points. Bags that are pushed in by another toss are considered 3 points. A bag that lays to rest on the top of the deck when the inning is finished is worth 1 point.
1.4 A cornhole bag that hits the ground before coming to rest on the deck is considered a dead bag. There are no points awarded and the bag must be removed before play continues.
1.5 If a cornhole bag is deemed a foul bag, that bag must be removed before play counties and no points will be awarded.
Rule D- Singles & Doubles play
1.1 In doubles play competitors will alternate throws until all bags have been tossed. The teammates (tossing from the other side) will continue tossing in the same alternating manner until all bags have been tossed which will conclude the inning.
1.2 In both singles and doubles, a coin flip will determine which lane each player/team will toss from. Players must remain in their designated lane for the entire match. Players will toss bags with alternating throws until all bags are tossed.
1.3 Each player must toss there bags within 20 seconds. Time starts when a player steps into the pitchers box with the intent to throw.
Rule E- Tossing Rotation
1.1 Prior to each match a coin flip will determine who goes first and who chooses lanes. In doubles play it is up to each team to decide what deck their players toss from. If no decision can be made by the teams another coin flip may be needed.
1.2 The player/team who scored in the last half inning goes first. If no score was made then the player/team that went second in the last half inning goes first in the next inning played.
Rule F- Position of Players
1.1 The player tossing a bag must start and remain in the pitchers box until the bag has left the player’s hands. If a foot is outside of the pitchers box anytime during the players stride or toss it will be a foul bag and removed from the playing surface. Both players/teams may not use same pitchers box or lane.
Rule G- Foul Cornhole Bags
1.1 A foul bag is one tossed out of compliance with one of the rules of play. Any foul bag must be removed from play before play continues. If a foul bag knocks another bag off the board or in the hole the bags are to be returned to their original scoring position.
1.2 Rule violations must be called by a contestant or official. Players must do their best to resolve the foul between themselves. If no resolution can be made a tournament official will have the final call.
1.3 Fouls
a.) Any bag tossed when any part of the player is out of the box during their turn.
b.) When a player touches or crosses the foul line before the bag has left their hand.
c.) Any bag not tossed within the 20 second time limit.
d.) Any bag tossed out of turn.
e.) Any bag tossed from a non-assigned pitchers box.
f.) Any bag that touches the ground before landing on the board.
g.) Any bag that leaves the players hand and moves forward. A bag that is dropped by accident that has clearly not been tossed may be picked up and tossed as a legal bag.
h.) If a player removes bags before the scoring is done and agreed upon the players/teams bags shall be considered foul. If a decision cannot be made between the groups then an official will be called to rule the scoring.
Rule H- Protests
1.1 If a player wants to make a protest, the player must call time and make the protest to a certified official at the time the problem occurs. If a bag has been tossed after the problem occurs there can be no protest. A certified official has the final say on the protest.
Rule I- Length of the Game
1.1 A cornhole game shall be played until a player/team reaches or exceeds 21 points.
1.2 Each half inning must be finished and all bags must be tossed.
Rule J- Scoring
1.1 Bags that go in the hole are worth 3 points
1.2 Bags that land on the deck are worth 1 point
1.3 Opposing players/teams points cancel each other out. For example: If Team A scores 2 bags in the whole (6points) and team B scores one bag in the hole (3 points) and one bag on the deck (1 point) THEN team A is awarded 2 total Points. (6 Team A points – 4 Team B points = 2 Team A points)
1.4 Players/Teams are expected to pay close attention to the scoring at all times. If a discrepancy cannot be resolved by the players/teams then an official is to be called and that official has the final call.
Rule K- Member and Player Conduct
1.1 On the courts a tournament player in competition may not make any disturbing noises or movements that might distract their opponent or competitors on other courts. A first offense call will be made as a warning. A second offense call will result in forfeiture of the game. Any further offense(s) will result in ejection from the tournament. All Conduct call will be made by a certified official or tournament director.
1.2 Any members, players or bystanders who heckle loudly, engage in unfair rooting or any other un-sportsman like conduct toward another member, player or official shall be subject to expulsion from the tournament, tournament site or the CCA as a whole. This cover any inappropriate behavior including profane or abusive language in or around the tournament grounds.
1.3 In the event that any member, player or bystander engages in a fight- they will be expelled from the tournament and future events.