The Game Known As Cornhole

By Lana Bray


Backyard games such as horseshoes and bocce ball have been played for decades. Another game that is somewhat similar to these is becoming increasingly popular and is widely known as cornhole. Others may refer to the same game as bean bag toss, corn toss or simply bags.

The game is played with two opposing teams each using a set of four bags. The two sets of bags need to be different so that it is easy to tell which one belongs to which team. Sometimes these are filled with corn feed, which is purportedly where the name cornhole comes from.

The other pieces of equipment that are needed are two platforms. Each of these is approximately two feet wide by four feet long with a six-inch hole about nine inches from the top in the center of the board. The platform is angled so that the top is about a foot higher than the bottom. The two are generally set 27 feet apart but shorter distances are acceptable when there is not enough space or for younger players.

Beside each of the platforms there is a pitcher's box on either side. The area of these boxes are defined by the ends of the platforms themselves. Players must pitch their bags from inside one of these areas and cannot step beyond the bottom edge or the throw does not count.

The game can be played with either one or two people per team. For doubles, one team member tosses from one platform and the other from the other one. When playing singles, both players throw from the same side.

The game is played in rounds with each one consisting of one player from each team throwing all four bags. They can stand in either pitcher's box but must remain there for that whole round. The team that scored more in one round throws first in the next one. If the scores were even, the team that threw last goes first in the following round.

The standard method of scoring is three points for bags that go through the hole by any means: directly, sliding or being pushed by another bag. At the end of each round, any bags that are still on the board are worth one point each and bags on the ground are worth nothing. Twenty-one total points is needed to win the game.

Several variations on scoring exist. One is to reward two points for bags that are partially over, but not in, the hole. Another is to require a team to score exactly 21 points to win. Usually when a tie occurs, the game will continue until a round ends with one of the teams having a higher score.

No one is certain of the roots of the game of cornhole. Nevertheless, it is becoming more and more widely played today. Because it's fun and quite easy to play, people are bound to continue enjoying it as time goes by.




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