Cornhole
Blind Draw Cornhole: A New Partner Each Round
Everyone shows up alone and plays with a different partner each round. Draw names from a hat for the order, type them into the doubles mixer, and print the plan.
How organizers usually run a blind draw
Most weekly bar and backyard nights do it one of two ways. Players put their names in a hat and pull two at a time for partners, or they pull a number and pair up by number. Some keep the partner all night. Others change partners every round so everyone plays with many people.
Drawing by hand works, but after round one the organizer has to remember who has played with whom. That is the part the planner does for you.
How to run it with this site
- Have everyone write their name on a slip and drop it in a hat.
- Pull the names one at a time and write them down in that order. That order is your draw.
- Open the doubles mixer, enter the names in the order drawn, and set the courts to the number of boards you have. The mixer says courts; read that as boards.
- Print the plan or keep it on a phone. It lists each round's partners and opponents, so post it where everyone can see.
- Enter each game's score. Everyone ends the night with their own wins and point spread.
What the plan looks like for common sizes
These numbers come from the same planner the doubles mixer uses, with one board for every four players.
| Players | Boards | Rounds | Games each | Repeat partners | Repeat opponents | Est. time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 31 | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| 12 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 68 | 3 hours 40 minutes |
| 16 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 45 | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| 20 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 42 | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| 24 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 32 | 3 hours 20 minutes |
Times are estimates and assume one game per round. A game to 21 can run longer or shorter.
Blind Draw Cornhole FAQs
What is a blind draw in cornhole?
A blind draw is a doubles night where players sign up alone and get a partner they did not choose. Some nights keep the same partner all evening. Others, like this page, give you a new partner each round.
Does the planner draw partners at random?
No. It plans the whole rotation ahead from the order you type the names in. To keep the surprise, draw names from a hat and type them in the order drawn. For 16 players on 4 boards, the plan runs 10 rounds with 0 repeat partner pairing and 45 repeat opponent pairings.
How many boards do I need?
Each game uses one pair of boards and four players. For 8 players you need 2 sets of boards, for 12 you need 3, and so on. With fewer boards, set a smaller number and some players sit out each round in turn.
How do weekly blind draw nights keep score?
House rules vary. A common way is for each player to keep their own record, wins and the point spread of every game they play, since partners change. Add them up at the end of the night.
How long does a blind draw night take?
A game to 21 often takes 15 to 20 minutes. At 20 minutes a round, 16 players take about 3 hours 20 minutes. This is an estimate.