Cornhole

Indianapolis

Cornhole is a party game that is played by tossing a small bag filled with beans, corn or sand into a small hole. This game is also called Corn Toss, Bag Toss, Bags, Tumor Toss or Baggo. This game has a unique set of rules and specifications and is spreading in popularity. It is popular at small gatherings such as barbecues, picnics and tailgate parties. Cornhole is one of the few games that can be played with little to no learning curve so that it is enjoyable the first time you play.

The objective of the game is to pitch a cornhole bag into a 4 foot by 2 foot board with a small hole at the top center. A successful pitch through the hole will net 3 points for the player while one on the platform scores 1 point. The first player to reach 21 points wins. The platforms are set 30 feet apart so that players have a set distance to toss from. Cornhole can be played in singles or doubles with the only difference being that in doubles play, teams of two take turns tossing one at a time. The game is broken down into innings. There are two parts to one inning, the top half and the bottom half. During the top half, one player takes a turn pitching all four of his cornhole bags. Then, during the bottom half, the other player pitches theirs.

There is a few special rules to cornhole. Points scored cancel each other out. If one person gets a bag in the hole during the top half of the round, and another gets a bag in during the bottom, the second bag cancels the first bag out. The same rule applies for bags that land on the platform. This cancellation rule means that only the player who scores more points during the round will keep points for that inning. Some play to the rule that if you get all four bags in the hole in a single round, you automatically win. Another rule is that the player who scored the least amount of points will throw first at the top of the inning. There is also an optional rule to play to 21 without going over. If you go over on a round, you will have to start again at 15.

Cornhole is popular in several American cities. It can be found during picnics, tailgate parties and barbecues in places like Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Chicago, northern Kentucky and northern Michigan. Cincinnati is considered the birthplace of cornhole with the first games being played in the early sixties. The game may change in small ways in the different areas of the country. There are even cornhole leagues, the most popular of which is the American Cornhole Association or ACA. This league is considered to be the regulating body on the game of Cornhole. They hold a world championship cornhole competition every year in South Webster, Ohio.