These are the standard rules used in most organized and backyard play. They’re simple — the whole game fits on one page — so read once and you’re ready to settle any dispute.
Distance is measured hole-to-hole. Foul lines run along the front edge of each board. See the setup guide for exact measurements.
Singles: both players throw from the same board, then walk to the other. Doubles: one teammate stands at each board and stays all game.
Two colors, four bags each, so it's always clear whose bag is whose.
One player throws a bag, then the opponent, back and forth until all eight bags are pitched. That completes one frame.
Whoever scored points pitches first in the next frame. If no one scored, the side that threw first goes first again.
Add up points once all bags are thrown. Learn exactly how in the scoring guide.
Most groups play "bust" rules — go over 21 and your score drops back to 15 for that frame, so you must land on 21.
A fouled bag is removed from play — it scores nothing and any board bags it moved are put back. The most common fouls:
| Foul | What happens |
|---|---|
| Stepping past the foul line before the bag leaves your hand | Bag removed from play |
| Throwing out of turn | Bag removed; opponent may reset any bags it moved |
| Taking longer than the agreed time to throw | Bag removed (organized play uses a ~20-second limit) |
| A bag that touches the ground first, then lands on the board | Removed — doesn't count even if it stays on |
Don't heckle or move while an opponent is pitching. Wait until the bag lands.
Only walk to the far board once all bags in the frame have been thrown.
Settle bust rules, foul-line strictness, and winning score before the first toss.
Don't touch bags on or around the board until the frame is scored.