Cornhole is rapidly gaining popularity. In fact, there is even an American Cornhole Association! With the spread of this entertaining backyard (and highly competitive) game, it seems only natural that a number of questions would arise.
Some questions may appear very basic to the cornhole aficionado, but for those just getting into the sport, we hope these FAQs and their answers will be useful.
The Top Ten Cornhole FAQs
- What is cornhole? Cornhole is a game in which a bean bag (or bag of corn feed) is tossed through a hole cut in a slightly elevated wooden platform. It has many names: bean bag toss, hillbilly horseshoes, and corn toss just to name a few.
- Where did the cornhole board game originate? There is much debate surrounding the origination of this game. Some people claim that it started in Cincinnati, while others boast that Kentucky as its place of origin. Even more widely accepted is the thought that cornhole is of German descent. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer at this time.
- What is the object of the game? The goal is to be the person (or team) to score 21+ points by the end of an inning. Three points are awarded each time you get a bag into the hole. One point is earned for every bag that lands on the board itself.
- What are the cornhole board specs? They are made of ½” plywood and are rectangles 48”x24”. The hole is six inches in diameter and centered 12” from each side and 9” from the top. The platform should be 3” tall at the front and 12” high in the back creating a 90 degree angle to the deck face. It should have solid wood sides so that the hole is the only opening. In addition, there’s a thirty foot distance between the board and the players.
- What do official cornhole boards look like? Cornhole boards can be customized anyway the owner chooses. In general, the boards are usually finish sanded for smoothness and painted with a high gloss latex paint. Some players choose to customize their boards by painting them or applying their favorite sports decal.
- Are there any age restrictions? The simple answer is no. Cornhole is a game accessible to all who can toss a bean bag thirty feet. In fact, the official rules for youth (and the elderly or those with disabilities) allow for a shorter tossing distance of 21’ instead.
- How many people can play? Cornhole can be played as singles or doubles. Essentially, it’s a 2 or 4 player game.
- Can you play cornhole inside? The beauty of the cornhole material is that it can be used indoors as well. Obviously, space will have to be allotted to accommodate the tossing distance rules, but the weight of the bean bags and their soft nature should not cause any damage-based concerns in indoor use.
- Should I build or buy official cornhole boards? The answer really depends upon your level of ability. If you are comfortable with a tape measure and power tools, then building your own board is not an impossible endeavor. However, if you are hoping to meet official regulation sizes, slopes and diameters, it might be better to let the professionals handle it. Custom Corntoss has an extensive selection of official cornhole boards to choose from.
- How can I get my own cornhole game set? Check our online store. We have plenty of cornhole boards and bags to choose from. We even have lots of cornhole accessories.
Cornhole FAQs
If you have additional questions about cornhole—the rules, equipment, etc.—check out our all-inclusive cornhole guide. Otherwise, head on over to our store and take a look at what we have to offer. If you are a cornhole newbie, it is time to snag your first cornhole game set!