Doubles is a different game from singles. Two players per team, eight bags per round, and every throw changes the math. The best doubles teams aren't the best individual throwers — they're the ones who use their throws in order.
Setup and Sides
Two players per team. Each player throws from one board and walks to the other after the round. Pick boards before the game starts. You don't switch.
The team that scored the previous round throws first. Whoever starts on a given board keeps starting on that board.
Roles
The setter. Throws first for your team. Their job is to put a bag where the closer can use it. Slides toward the hole. Blockers when you need to defend.
The closer. Throws last for your team. Reacts to whatever's on the board. Pushes blockers in. Cleans up. Goes for the airmail when needed.
Pick roles before the game. The closer is usually the steadier shooter, not necessarily the one with the most cornholes.
Shot Order Matters
In a round, eight bags are thrown — four per team, alternating. So the order looks like:
- Their setter
- Your setter
- Their setter
- Your setter
- Their closer
- Your closer
- Their closer
- Your closer
The setter throws first. Anything they put on the board is a target the closer can use later. A short slide becomes a push setup. A blocker becomes a wall.
Reading the Board
Before each throw, read what's already there.
Behind in the round? Push. If there's a blocker in front of the hole, knock it through. If there's a hanger on the lip, knock it in.
Ahead and on the hill? Block. Throw a bag in front of the hole. The opponent has to throw over it, which is the harder shot.
Tied or close? Slide. Cancellation rewards consistency. A 1-point woody beats a missed airmail.
When to Airmail
Airmail when there's a blocker between you and the hole and a push won't work. Airmail when you're down and need three. Don't airmail to show off — they're high variance and low margin.
A missed airmail often slides off the board. That's zero points and a bag your opponent doesn't have to cancel.
Communication
Talk between throws, not during them. The setter says what they were trying to do. The closer says what they want next. Two sentences.
"Tried to slide. Came up short."
"OK, I'll push."
That's it.
Practice Drills for Doubles
Throw together. The setter throws four. The closer reacts to those four. Switch. Track:
- How many of the setter's bags were usable
- How many cornholes the closer scored after a setter's blocker
- How often you scored at least one point in the round
BagTrax records every bag with player attribution. Filter your stats by partner to see which pairings actually score.
Common Mistakes
- Both players going for cornholes every throw. Most rounds are won by one cornhole and one or two woodies, not by four cornholes.
- Throwing the same shot regardless of board state. The setter shouldn't slide into a row of blockers.
- Switching roles mid-game. Pick the order. Stick with it.
- Talking during the throw. Wait until the bag lands.