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.
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.
Besides the bags, two platforms round out the necessary equipment. Each one measures two feet by four feet and has a six-inch hole nine inches below the top of the board. The platforms are angled, with the top being twelve inches above the bottom. The distance between the two for playing the game is 27 feet, although at times they are placed more closely for younger players or when there is not an adequate amount of space.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Besides the bags, two platforms round out the necessary equipment. Each one measures two feet by four feet and has a six-inch hole nine inches below the top of the board. The platforms are angled, with the top being twelve inches above the bottom. The distance between the two for playing the game is 27 feet, although at times they are placed more closely for younger players or when there is not an adequate amount of space.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.