Are you looking to light up your gathering? Then cornhole may be the game for you. Cornhole is a popular game mostly played in the Midwest Region of the USA. It is one of the most notable games played in barbecues and tailgate parties as it brings life to many boring family gatherings. 2-4 players play this game, and it can be played indoors or outdoors.
Even though its creation can be dated back to the 1400s in Germany, it’s been a popular game in America for the last 100 years. It is a perfect game for family outings as it is played by children to elders alike all over the world. So, if you are a beginner who does not know anything about this exciting game, here is everything you would need to know to join in the fun.
Cornhole Court Layout
Cornhole is played in a field 40-45 feet long 8-10 feet wide with a 12 feet vertical height clearance. Corrnhole boards are placed at 27 feet distance from one front end to the opposite front end of the opposite board. Pitcher zones are one the sides of each cornhole board with dimensions of 4×3 feet. These are the areas from where you can throw your bags into the opponent’s cornhole. Foul lines are at the end of the boards front end, a player cannot cross the foul line while throwing the bag into the cornhole.
Cornhole should be 30 feet away from the foul line and 21 feet for children. Although these are dimensions for a competitive cornhole game, you do not need to follow these to a tee. You can play this game by placing two cornhole boards on any level ground indoors or outdoors. The layout and dimensions just work as a reference for new recreational players to get to know the game.
Equipment
Cornhole is a simple game, it does not require much. All you need are two cornhole boards and a few bags filled with corn.
Cornhole board
Cornhole boards are readily available in many sports outlets. You can either buy ready-made boards, get them custom made to your liking or even build one for yourself. Most people tend to just buy boards easily available in stores and online. If you do choose to build one for yourself, make sure to be careful of the dimensions and regulations of a standard board.
Standard boards are 4 feet long and 3 feet wide while the cornhole has a diameter of 6 inches. Additionally, your board must have a smooth finish without any splinters so that your bags glide over smoothly.
Cornhole bags:
These are not just any random bags filled with beans or corn. They are custom made to a special dimension only for the game.
The bag’s size corresponds to the cornhole size of 6 inches and square shape. It is usually filled with corn feed weighing upto 14-16 ounces and then double stitched on all 4 sides.
How to play?
It can be played with 2 or 4 players. Two people participate in single matches while when there are 4, they compete as doubles with one team winning. The most basic objective of the game is to throw more bean bags into the corn hole, the team or player with more bean bags sinked in the corn hole wins.
First, the player stands in the pitcher zones and throws all their 4 bags one by one onto the board trying to sink into the cornhole and then the other player does the same. It gets more complicated when doubles are involved as more bags are thrown on alternative turns.
When a bean bag goes in the corn hole it’s counted as 3 points, while when it stays on the board at the end of the game it’s 1 point. 0 points are awarded for the bean bags that fall off the board. Players can even throw opponents’ bags off the board with their own. Whoever reaches 21 points first is declared the winner.
Rules and regulations
Casual players do not need to be mindful of a lot but a few rules as cornhole does not need much pre learning before you start to play. These are the few basic rules that you would want to follow to properly get into the game of cornhole
- You must throw the bags with an underhand having an upward moving curve.
- Players are to stand in the pitcher’s zone and not step beyond the foul line while throwing the bags
- Bags should be tossed with in 20 seconds
Slang of cornhole
Every game has its own set of generic terms or language. It’s no different for cornhole, while playing you will encounter a lot of these terms and knowing them would help you better understand what is happening. It might even impress a more experienced player.
- Woody: when you throw a bag, and it remains on the board
- Corn hole: when you sink the bean bag in the hole
- Corn on the cob: when all the bags are on the board
- Nothing but corn: it’s when you throw the bag directly in the hole without touching the sides, it is an improvisation on the term from basketball “nothing but net”
Tips to get better
At your next tailgate party if you want to impress your crush or beat a cousin who you have never defeated before, here are some tips to get better quickly so you can be the star of your next cornhole games.
- Don’t try to put every bag in the hole, aim for the top of the board and most bags would automatically slide into the hole
- Put a spin on your throws. This increases your chances of sinking the bag as most professionals use this technique. They use their fingers to add the spin rather than the wrist.
- Always stay calm no matter what the score, the game changes every second. The calmer you are the better game winning decisions you will make
- Most importantly practice as nothing beats a man’s hard work.
Conclusion
Cornhole is a game that is going to become more popular with time due to its accessibility and easy to play nature. Anyone can aim and throw bags up to 30 feet. It’s played everywhere in parks, backyards, driveways, and beaches. It is a game genuinely loved by people of all ages and great fun with family and friends.
