The focus of this part of our web guide is on the game of cornhole, also known as sack toss or bags.
Under a variety of names, cornhole is a popular lawn game played at tailgate parties, barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings. Combining simplicity and agility, the game has become wildly popular throughout the United States and elsewhere.
The earliest recorded mention of a game similar to cornhole dates back to the 17th century, although accounts suggest that Native Americans played a game using dried animal bladders filled with beans tossed at holes in the ground.
Modern versions of the game originated in the U.S. Midwest, particularly Ohio, where it enjoyed a resurgence in the late 20th century. The Cincinnati Bengals and their fans helped to popularize the further when it became a staple at tailgate parties. It soon spread to backyards, beaches, and campgrounds across the country.
The more common variation of the game played today involves two wooden platforms, each with a hole in the center, and eight bags filled with dried beans or corn kernels. The objective is to toss the bags onto the platforms, scoring points for bags that land on the board or pass through the hole. The game is typically played with two or four players divided into teams.
The official rules of cornhole, as outlined by the American Cornhole Association (ACA), specify the equipment and court layout. Each board measures two feet by four feet, with a six-inch diameter hole centered nine inches from the top edge. The boards are angled, with the top edge twelve inches above the ground and the bottom edge three to four inches above. A standard court places the two boards thirty-three or twenty-seven feet apart, measured from the bottom edge.
Gameplay in cornhole involves alternating turns, with each player or team member tossing four bags per round. The team with the highest score at the end of the round earns points, and the game continues until one team reaches twenty-one points or more. If both teams have the same score, the game score remains as it was, and the honors remain with the previous round's winner.
Scoring is based on the number of bags that land on the board or pass through the hole. A bag that lands on the board scores one point, while a bag that passes through the hole scores three points. When a bag touches the ground before resting on the board, it is deemed a foul and earns zero points.
Strategies vary according to the player's skill level and personal preferences. Some players focus on accuracy, aiming for the hole, while others try to land bags as far away from the hole as possible. Experienced players often use a combination of these approaches.
As with many other tossing games, variations of cornhole have been developed to encourage interest in the game. Some forms of the game require teams to reach precisely twenty-one points to win, while others allow for a skunk victory if one team scores seven or more points before the opponent scores any. Another popular version involves taking a step back with each throw, making each throw more challenging than the last.
Other variations include mini cornhole, which is played with smaller boards and bags, accommodating indoor play or limited spaces, as well as glow-in-the-dark cornhole, which is equipped with LED lights or glow-in-the-dark paint, facilitating nighttime play. Other sets are designed with waterproof materials, which is ideal for beach or poolside play.
Cornhole golf combines elements of cornhole and golf, in which players aim to land bags in holes of varying difficulty on a single board.
Standard cornhole equipment consists of two wooden or plastic boards, each measuring 24 inches wide and 48 inches long. The front of the board is 3-4 inches from the ground, and the back is 12 inches from the ground. A 6-inch diameter hole is centered 9 inches from the top of each board. There are eight bags, four of one color and four of another. The bags are made from durable fabric and filled with corn kernels or synthetic materials. Each bag is 6 inches square and weighs 14-16 ounces.
In the standard cornhole court layout, boards are placed 27 feet apart from front edge to front edge. The foul line is an imaginary line parallel to the front of the boards. Players must throw from behind this line. The pitcher's box is next to each board, where players stand to toss their bags.
Players or teams take turns throwing bags at the opposite board to land them on the board or in the hole. The game can be played in singles (two players) or doubles (four players) format.
A coin toss, rock-paper-scissors, or another method determines which player throws first. Players alternate turns, throwing one bag at a time until all eight bags are thrown, four per player or team.
Bags knocked off the board by another player's throw do not score points.
Recommended Resources
The ACA is the official governing body of the game of cornhole. Established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2003, the ACA was the first organization cornhole organization in the United States. It maintains the official rules for backyard games and tournament play, and hosts various tournaments and events to promote the sport. The organization also offers a range of cornhole equipment, including boards, bags, and accessories, and provides resources for players at all levels.
https://www.playcornhole.org/
The ACL is the governing body for professional, competitive, and recreational cornhole. The website provides resources for those interested in playing the game, including information on memberships, rules, tips, equipment, and upcoming events. Rules, regulations, equipment, bags, boards, and information on becoming a professional are set forth, including ACL Pro Teams, statistics, standings, and the ACL Pro Invitational event. An online shopping area is included.
https://www.iplaycornhole.com/
American Cornhole Organization
Headquartered in Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, the ACO also claims to be the official governing body for the sport of Cornhole, along with the American Cornhole Association. Established in 2005, the organizational structure of the ACO is provided, along with the official rules, a player's guide, tournament brackets, and membership information. ACO clubs, tournaments, and events are featured, along with standings, results, and champions. An online shopping area is included.
https://americancornhole.com/
Cornhole ATL is an year-round adult coeducational league where players can test their cornhole skills against player of their same level. Included with membership are seven weeks of cornhole, including playoffs, an ATL shirt, boards, bags, and playing arena provided, a chance to win prize packs from sponsors, team qualification for location playoffs, state Cornament for qualifying teams, and an end-of-season party. Teams throughout the state are noted by city.
https://www.cornholeatl.com/
A resource to those interested in making their own cornhole set, the website provides step-by-step instructions on how to build your own boards, paint them, and sew your own cornhole bags. The dimensions, necessary supplies, and directions on how to build and paint the boards are provided, along with the necessary supplies and directions on creating hte bags. Instructions on playing the game are also included, an online contact form, and links to other resources are available.
https://www.cornholehowto.com/
While it does not appear that the site enjoys any official status in the game of cornhole, despite the name, it is a comprehensive online resource for those interested in the game, offering detailed information on the rules and regulations of cornhole, tips on buying high-quality cornhole boards, and guidance on how to play both casual and competitive games, including techniques and strategies, different cornhole formats, such as team play, one-on-one matches, the key terms and scoring methods.
https://cornholeofficial.com/
Representing organized cornhole players in the Southwest United States (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas), the TCL Cornhole League has five divisions, forty regional directors, and a thousand TCL events, including the Choctaw Points Series, where players can test their skills against some of the best players in the region. Email addresses for general, event, points/tier, or corporate/charity event questions are provided, and a shopping area for cornhole equipment is included.
https://www.tclcornhole.com/
