The Game Known As Cornhole

By Lana Bray


Cornhole is a backyard game that is rather popular in various places. It is sometimes referred to by other names, such as bean bag toss, corn toss or bags. There are slight similarities to horseshoes or bocce ball but is a distinct game in its own right.

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.

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.

Next to each platform are two imaginary pitcher's boxes, one on each side. This is the area from which the bags are thrown. A player may not step past the bottom of the platform when tossing a bag.

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.

For each round, each player throws four bags. The players can stand on either side of the platform but must stay on that side for all of their throws. The player or team that scored higher in the previous round throws first. If the scores were the same in the preceding round, then the team that pitched last in that round will go first in the next one.

For basic scoring, a bag that goes through the hole is worth three points. It doesn't matter whether it goes directly in, slides into the hole or is pushed in by a different bag. Any bag that is remaining on the board at the end of a round scores one point. Bags on the ground do not score any points. The first team to score 21 points wins 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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment