Playing The Game Of Cornhole

By Lana Bray


Horsehoes, bocce ball and other backyard games have been popular for many years. There is another game that is a bit similar to these known as cornhole, that is gaining in popularity. Also known as bags, corn toss or bean bag toss, it can be an interesting way to entertain oneself.

Two teams play against one another and each team has a set of four bags. At times the bags have corn feed as filler, which is what gives the name of cornhole. Each team's bags need to look different, for example with different colors, in order to easily know which belong to which team.

In addition to the bags, the only other things needed are two platforms. These are about four feet long by two feet wide, each having a hole of six inches centered about nine inches from the top. The top is raised about a foot above the bottom to angle the platform. For game play, they are placed at a distance of 27 feet apart. Shorter distances can be used for young players or when there is not sufficient room.

On either side of the platforms is an unmarked box defined by the ends of the boards. Players stand in one of these areas when they are throwing their bags. The foul line is determined by the bottom of the platform and cannot be crossed when throwing.

Cornhole can be played with teams of either one or two players. When there are two players, each one stands on opposite sides and remains there for the entire game. For games with one-player teams, both toss their bags from the same side.

One player from each team tosses their team's four bags to complete one round. It doesn't matter which pitcher's box the players stand in as long as they stay in the same one for the entire round. For each round, the team that had the higher score in the previous round goes first. When the teams have equal scores in one round, the team that threw first will pitch last in the following one.

Standard scoring awards three points to any bag that goes through the hole, whether directly, by sliding through or by being pushed by another bag. A bag that is on the board when the round finishes is worth one point while bags on the ground are zero. The goal is to accumulate 21 points in order to win the game.

There are a number of scoring variations. One variation is that a bag that is hanging partly over the hole is worth two points. Another is that a team must score exactly 21 points, without going over, in order to win. In the event of a tie score at or above 21, play generally continues until one team has a higher score at the end of a round.

Nobody knows for sure where the game of cornhole comes from. Regardless of where it originated, it is currently widely played and gaining in popularity. It's relatively easy to play and is likely to maintain its popularity for some time.




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