Vincent Montague of Cleveland has a newfound hobby – cornhole! The outdoor game has been around for many years but has increased in popularity more recently. In the following article, Vincent Montague of Cleveland explains the history of the game, the growing popularity, and why it continues to bring joy to players everywhere.
Outdoor games have been around for centuries. Indigenous tribes played a game similar to modern-day tag. Croquet came about during 14th century France. One outdoor game that continues to grow in popularity across the United States today is bag toss, otherwise known more commonly as cornhole.
Cornhole
Cornhole is an outdoor game that involves tossing bean bags into a raised board with a hole at the top. It is also known as sack toss, bean bag toss, or just plain bags. There are two teams, usually 2 players per team, and the goal is to earn 21 points.
Vincent Montague of Cleveland explains that the origins of cornhole are said to have started in the 14th century when a cabinet maker named Matthias Kuepermann noticed children throwing rocks into a nearby groundhog hole. He thought, while this seemed to entertain the children, there could be a better way to enjoy this type of “toss game”. Kuepermann used his carpentry skills to build a board with a hole, similar to the groundhog hole, that the children could use.
As a safer option, Kuepermann decided to create sacks of corn, in lieu of rocks for the children to toss – hence the name.
How To Play
Vincent Montague of Cleveland says that cornhole is simple to understand and it is very easy to get a game started. The game is enjoyed by people of all ages, from toddlers to adults.
• Set Up
Cornhole is easy to set up and requires two game boards plus two sets of four bean bags. Bean bags can be purchased or handmade, but preferably in colors to differentiate the teams. (4 red and 4 blue, or pink and purple, etc.)
Vincent Montague of Cleveland says that a cornhole court consists of a rectangular area that is 8-10 feet wide and a minimum of 40-45 feet long.
There is a “pitcher’s box” that is at the end of each court. Players must stay in this area when throwing their bean bags.
As a backyard game, things don’t have to be so formal – Vincent Montague of Cleveland says to just set up the board roughly 40 feet apart (closer for younger children) – and toss!
• Players
Cornhole requires at least two players to play against each other. Conversely, there can be two teams of two players. The official rules say that each team can only have two people (a total of four players), but many “unofficial” cornhole teams can have up to four people each.
• Flip a Coin
Vincent Montague of Cleveland says that a coin toss is determined which team goes first. Although, official rules don’t always need to apply for practice or fun.
• Toss the Bean Bag
Once the first team has been determined, the player will toss the bean bag toward the cornhole board. The best strategy is to throw underhand as it gives the player more control. Throwing overhand tends to give less control, usually resulting in “overshooting” the target, according to Vincent Montague of Cleveland.
Players should aim for the hole at the top end of the board. If the bean bag lands on the board, it counts for one point. Getting the bean bag into the hole counts for three points.
If a player steps outside of the “pitcher’s box,” then it is considered a foul and the bean bag has to be removed from play. Again, as a backyard game – the pitcher’s box can be an imaginary line behind the board.
• Count Points at the End of Each Inning
A cornhole inning is over when all eight bean bags have been thrown (each individual or team throws all four bean bags). At the end of each inning, total points should be added up. The first team to reach 21 points wins.
Cornhole Popularity in the US
Despite the wide variety of lawn games, cornhole is consistently played across the country. There are a number of reasons why cornhole is so popular, and even tournaments have been on the rise. Local bars and restaurants have been known to host cornhole tournaments, providing the wining team a gift card to the establishment.
- Minimal Equipment Required – Cornhole does not require a lot of equipment and it is easy to set up, which makes it ideal for transportation and universal play. All that’s required are two boards and eight bean bags.
- Anyone Can Play – Cornhole does not require any specialized skills, and anyone can play. From little kids to older adults, tossing a bean bag is relatively easy. The game can also be adjusted so people with mobility issues can participate.
- Backyard to Formal Court – Not the tournament type? Cornhole is great for beaches, barbeques, campgrounds, and even weddings.
Cornhole has become so popular that it is now an official sport on ESPN. Championship are hosted annually at a casino resort in North Carolina. The championship lasts for five days, and the winner receives a $50,000 cash prize!
