Battle of the Bags Cornhole Tournament Rules: Sunday, June 2nd, 2024
This is a charity, amateur-level fundraising event. We kindly request that professional players do not register to play in this tournament. The goal of the event is to raise money for Haven House Services and have fun! Players are expected to work together to keep their own score and abide by the rules below.
This is also a family-friendly event. We reserve the right to change the tournament rules as needed at any time and/or disqualify any teams for behavior that does not align with the charitable spirit and family-friendly atmosphere of the event.
Please note: No smoking or vaping allowed on Haven House property.
TOURNAMENT RULES:
Set-Up
The tournament will start with pool play. The top 2 teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination bracket of 32. This is not an ACA or ACO sanctioned event. All players must use tournament’s bags and boards. The decisions of Haven House Services staff and volunteer Head Judge are final.
- 27′ front edge to front edge of board
- Teammates stand directly opposite each other at opposing ends.
- Each team gets 4 bags (same color) to throw per frame (officially called an inning) in an underhand throwing motion.
- Each team alternates throws until all bags are thrown to determine score.
- Players throw from behind the front edge of the board to avoid a foot fault.
- A foot fault or player throwing out of turn results in the thrown bag removed from the playing surface.
- All players in the tournament must be able to throw from the designated pitcher’s box distance. For this reason, we ask that players be over the age of 13 if possible. If under that age and playing with an adult, they must be able to play according to all tournament rules.
Scoring
- Bag on the board is 1 point
- Bag in the hole is 3 points
- Bags must land and stay on the board (without touching the ground) or go through the hole to score.
- Opposing points cancel each other out. This is called cancellation scoring.
- For example: Red team has 3 bags on the board (3 points) and one bag in the hole (3 points) totaling 6 points. Black team has 3 bags on the board (3 points) and one bag off the board (0 points) totaling 3 points. Red team wins the frame with 3 points (6 points minus 3 points).
- Knocking an opponent’s bag off the board is allowed.
- A bag that hits the ground before landing on the board surface does not count and is removed from the field of play before the next throw.
Game Play
- Teams can flip a coin or play rock, paper, scissors to determine which team has the first toss during the first inning of play only. Each following inning, the winner of the previous inning (not points leader) will throw first.
- At the start of each round, players can choose either side of the box to throw from. You can rotate or change the side of the box, but you must start and complete each round from the same side. The player who is not throwing must step out of the throwing box while their opponent is throwing.
- Players will alternate throws. Each team player will throw one bag at a time, alternating until all 8 bags are tossed.
- Winner is the first team to 21 or over in Pool/Group Play or 21 or over in the Single Elimination Bracket (using the cancellation scoring method described above). If teams are tied, play continues until one team or the other achieves a higher score at the end of an inning and wins the match. You do not have to win by 2 or more points.
- It is up to the teams to keep the score and report the final score to the volunteer score recorder. If there is a question, please ask the volunteer to signal the head judge.
- Tournament-appointed head judge will have final call on any disputes – No Exceptions.
- Once pool play is over, if there is a tie for first or second place in the pool, the scoring table will determine the winner looking at which team won their head-to-hand battle.
FOR POOL/GROUP PLAY
- Winner is the first team to 21 or over (using the cancellation scoring method described above). If teams are tied at 21 or over, play continues until one team or the other achieves a higher score at the end of an inning and wins the match. You do not have to win by 2 or more points.
FOR SINGLE ELIMINATION BRACKET OF 32
- Winner if the first team to 21 or over (using the cancellation scoring method described above). If teams are tied at 21 or over, play continues until one team or the other achieves a higher score at the end of an inning and wins the match. You do not have to win by 2 or more points.
Prizes
- The winning team will win $200 ($100 per person) and trophies.
- The team that comes in second place will win $100 ($50 per person).
Questions? Contact Kelly at kbloom@havenhousenc.org.