How To Build a Cornhole Set
"Get ready to enjoy summer with this fun lawn game!"
Materials
(We only show one cornhole board being built, but the material list is enough for two. Just make this one, twice!)
Step 1: Cut Materials
We chose to use composite decking for our project because it doesn't require a finish and it can stay outside in the sun and rain without any damage. We went with Azek PVC decking because when cut, you can leave the ends exposed to the elements and they won't be damaged.
Cut the 12' fascia board into four 36” pieces. Use a circular saw or a sliding miter saw that can handle the width.
Cut the two 5/4 x 6-16' boards into four 36" pieces and six 22" pieces.*
*Note: When marking on the composite material, use a pen—a pencil mark won't show up.
Step 2: Cut legs at an angle
With the remainder of the 16' board and a miter saw, cut four 12" legs at an 11° angle. Measure in from the end 12" and mark on the edge of one side. Use this mark as the top of the angle cut. With the leftover decking piece, measure from the top of the 11° angle and mark at 12". Cut straight across at this mark. Repeat with the remaining wood until you have four legs.
Step 3: Print circular diagram
Print a 6" circle diagram and cut it out. (Click the banner below to download the one we used.) Fold the diagram in half. This diagram will be used for cutting the holes in the fascia boards.
Step 4: Trace two half circles in fascia boards
Measure 6" down from the top of one of the fascia boards and use a pen to make a mark. Mark again at 12". Place your paper circle inside of these marks, lining up the folded edge in the middle with the edge of the fascia. Trace around the paper with a pen. Repeat with remaining fascia boards.
Step 5: Cut circles in facia boards
Use two clamps to secure the fascia board to a sawhorse or work table. Follow the traced line with a jigsaw. (We recommend practicing the cut on a piece of scrap lumber first to get the hang of it.) The composite decking cuts very easily: the trick is to keep the saw steady and not move too quickly.
Step 6: Assemble frame
Assemble the 5/4" x 6" box support. Line up the shorter 22" pieces inside of the longer ones. Pre-drill and secure with two decking screws in each corner. Line up the third 22" piece in the middle of the box. Pre-drill and secure in place.
Note: Composite decking screws are not necessary with composite decking, but their reverse threads at the top of the screw are designed to pull any plastic shavings back down into the hole with the screw, leaving a very clean top. If you choose to use a different screw, make sure it's made for exterior use.
Step 7: Assemble the Top
Place the 1" x 12" fascia over the box and line up the ends and the two halves of the circle. Pre-drill and secure with screws in the four corners and on either side of the board in the middle (six screws in all). Be careful to avoid drilling into the screws you just put into the frame.
Step 8: Fit legs in place
Flip the structure over to attach the legs. Place the leg in the corner with the right angle flush against the fascia, and the top of the angle cut towards the back of the box. Pre-drill through the inside of the leg and into the side of the frame. Secure with 1 3/4" exterior screws. Repeat steps eight and nine with the opposite leg.
Step 9: Start playing
Grab your beanbags and get throwing!
How to play cornhole
Find a nice flat surface on your lawn, in a parking lot, the beach, etc. Set up your boards directly facing each other with 27 feet between the front edge of each board. Cornhole can be played with two or four players. Pick which side of the board you’ll throw from. In a four-player game, your partner’s pitching box will be directly across from you. In a two-player game, if you start throwing from the left side of the board, you’ll walk directly across to the other board, and throw back from the right side. Lastly, pick your bags (four for each team) and get ready to play
Gameplay:
Decide who goes first then take turns throwing bags with your opponent. You throw one bag, then your opponent, then you, then your opponent, etc. Your feet may not go past the front edge of the board. If they do, a foul is called and you get pelted with cornhole bags. Also, a tossed bag may not touch the ground. If it hits the ground and bounces up on the board, remove it before any other bags are thrown. If it's hanging off the board and touching the ground, remove that as well. When all eight bags have been tossed to the other side, add up the score (see scoring below). If you earned the most points in that single round, your team will throw first in the next round.
Scoring and winning:
Scoring is simple. After all the bags have been thrown, a bag remaining on the board is worth one point. A bag that went in the hole is worth three points. Add up how many points you earned and compare them to your opponents. Equal points cancel each other out so that only one team can score per round. For example, if you scored 5 points and your opponent scored three, you will add two points to your overall score and your team will throw first in the next round. If you scored 6 points and your opponent scored six as well, there will be no points awarded and whoever threw first in the last round will throw first again. A game is won when a team reaches 21 points with a lead of two or more points. The first team to win two games wins the match.
Of course, you can play with your own rules. For example, some play with the rule that you must reach 21 exactly. If you go over in points, your score is automatically reduced to 11, and play continues. Another variation is to count every point (no negation of equal points) and see who has the most points at the end of 13 rounds.
