I know you probably haven’t heard of cornhole before. It is a crowd favorite in the US, but the popularity hasn’t made it across the pond yet.
I do not want you to spend another minute in the dark! Let me tell you what cornhole is; hopefully, you’ll love it as much as us Americans do!
A Great Outdoor Game
The concept of cornhole is simple. It is a great game that is usually played outside. The equipment consists of two platforms (usually made of wood) with a hole in the center and eight bean bags. A cornhole game set looks like this:
Creative Commons image found here courtesy of Paul W
Not only is the equipment simple, the game is easy to play too. You place the platforms at opposite ends of the court (an open space about seven to eight meters long). Opponents stand beside one board and toss the bean bags at the opposite board.
A bag that goes through the hole earns three points. A bag that lands on the board earns one point. A bag on the ground earns zero points. The first player (or team) to reach 21 points wins.
For a more complete listing of rules, check out the American Cornhole Association.
Why We Love Cornhole
The reason we love cornhole is because there are just so many great features of the game. For example, here are just a few of the ways cornhole beats any other outdoor game.
- Anyone can play – all ages, abilities, and intellects.
- There isn’t a lot of strategy or complicated rules to remember.
- The equipment isn’t heavy, cumbersome or difficult to use making it a great traveling game.
- It is a nice sit-down-and-play game and a great alternative to horseshoes for senior citizens (the bags are lighter).
- The game can be used to teach youngsters about counting and friendly competition.
- Cornhole is a great bonding activity – spend time with the family or get to know your neighbors.
- If you add a little victory dance, it might be considered exercise!
Best Ways to Use Cornhole
Most people consider garden games to be an at-home activity. But cornhole can actually be used in a variety of different settings.
- Take cornhole with you when you go tailgating before a football match.
- Give cornhole game sets as gifts.
- Play cornhole at your hen or stag party.
- Host a cornhole tournament as a fundraiser for a good cause or as a marketing event for your business.
Buy or Build
Since the cornhole equipment is fairly minimal, it is quite easy – and pretty inexpensive – to make your own set. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build cornhole boards. Or, if you would rather, this article has tips on how to make a kid-friendly, eco-friendly set.
If you don’t have the necessary skills to build your own set, you can always buy cornhole boards and bags from an online vendor. Most companies offer both inexpensive, generic sets as well as custom designs. Custom designs are popular for special events (like weddings) or for crazed sports fans.
Cornhole might not be mainstream in the UK yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give the game a little push in the right direction! Give it a try. I think you’ll like it!
Guest author Jordan Greene works for Custom Corntoss – a US-based cornhole supplier. He absolutely loves the game and tries to spread the love with everyone who is still in the dark! He recently shared his thoughts about using cornhole for weddings in this blog post. He got the idea after his buddy had a cornhole wedding theme (can you imagine a bride letting that happen?!).
