When was the last time you played cornhole without an alcoholic beverage in your hand? Yeah…that’s what we thought!

 Since the beverages are there anyway, why not turn your next cornhole match into a drinking game?

The rules of cornhole are simple, so implementing a drinking game is pretty easy as well. In this post we will explain a few different cornhole drinking games, each of which differs in its buzz potential as well as in who the ideal players are.

Game 1: Steady Sipping

In this version, you play cornhole following the traditional rules. The only change is that for every hole-in your team scores, the opposite team has to take a sip before the game continues.

The buzz potential for this game is mild and gradually acquired. How buzzed you get depends on the skill level of your opponents.

If your opponents are brand new to cornhole, chances are that you will not be taking many drinks. If you are a pro player it could be fun to play against cornhole newbies, though just remember that the more you score the less likely you are to actually drink. After all, drinking generally does not improve aim for those who are already not great at tossing bags.

Game 2: Competitive Drinking

If you and your friends are feeling slightly more competitive (but still want to remember how the game ends), this version might be a good choice for you.

To play, follow the normal rules of cornhole. After every half inning, you and your teammate need to take one drink for every point scored against you.

Remember that a bag in the hole counts as three points and a bag on the board counts as one point–and you play until a team reaches 21 points.

This means at least one team will take 21 or more drinks, and the other team has the potential to have nearly that many. This game can be played against newbies, though it is likely to be more fun if you and your opponents are evenly matched. There is the potential to get a pretty good buzz going, though of course your buzz level depends on the strength of your beverage.

Game 3: Shots for Shots

With this version, cornhole can start to get really interesting. Play according to the rules described in Game 2—but add this twist.

After drinking the number of points scored against you, clear the board. The last two competing opponents will toss one extra bag. This extra bag is appropriately called the “shot” bag. If the bag goes in the hole, the player up next on the opposing team has to take a shot before continuing play.

Now that shots are involved, the buzz potential just increased greatly–especially if your opponent has a killer toss. You can either invest in buying extra bags to use as designated shot bags or you can simply reuse bags from the previous round.

Game 4: Drinking Baggo

Cornhole drinking games are nothing new, which is why when you are buying cornhole boards you can also buy cornhole drinking bags. We sell customized drinking bags as well as cheap cornhole boards, so check them out before you try playing this last and most lethal version of cornhole.

In this game, you play cornhole following the traditional rules, except you play using customized drinking bags. Each team has four bags as usual, except these bags say drink, chug, shot, and social. Whenever the opposing team gets one of these bags in the hole, you and your teammate have to do whatever the bag says. For the social bag, both teams have to take a drink.

The buzz potential is extreme in this version because it is entirely possible to take a drink, chug, and shot within a five minute time span. If the skill levels of the two teams are mismatched, it is likely one team will get completely wasted while the other team maintains their edge.

Those are our suggestions to add a little more interest to the adult version of cornhole. Do you have any other cornhole drinking games you and your friends have created? Let us know and we’ll spread the word!

Buying Cornhole Boards: Wood or Plastic?

Whether you are an aficionado or a newcomer to the wonderful world of cornhole, one of the most important decisions you will make is actually buying cornhole boards.

The major decision to make when buying cornhole boards is to choose your material. Most boards are made of either wood or plastic, so we are here to break down the pros and cons of both of these materials.

Wood Boards

Through much of the history of cornhole, wood boards have been the golden standard.

In official tournaments, wood is still the de facto board material. Most cornhole players prefer wood boards because of the level of control that players have on a wood surface.

Bags do not slide on wood like they do on plastic, which allows players to develop a stronger strategy and technique.

That said, wood boards can have a variety of finishes that affect gameplay. Adding different paint or varnish can either increase or decrease the sliding factor, depending on the type of play that the board owner prefers.

Cornhole fans also tend to prefer wood boards because it is relatively easy to build your own boards with this material. Many people enjoy the process of building and then playing with the set that they made by hand. Though of course you can also purchase high-quality, hand-crafted wood boards too.

If you have an artistic cornhole lover on your gift list, a set of ready-to-paint wood board is one of many great cornhole Christmas gifts. You can buy one of our awesome unpainted sets here.

On the downside, wood boards tend to be a little heavier, so they can be moderately difficult to transport.

They also require a higher degree of care, due to the fact that they are made from natural materials. For example, you can’t leave them out in the elements overnight. However, you can protect your board with a sealant finish to reduce chances of problems later.

Plastic Boards

On the other hand, plastic boards are preferred by some for convenience reasons. Casual players and those who plan on transporting their boards frequently–such as for camping or for cornhole in gym class–may prefer the lightweight plastic version of cornhole boards because they are more portable.

Plastic boards also tend to fare better when neglected. While wood warps and rots if it gets wet for extended periods of time, plastic boards hold up to the elements.

Like wood boards, a plastic set can be customized—but not much. You can add a sticker or decal, but that’s about it. You can’t get the amazing, detailed artwork that is available for wood boards.

Plastic boards have a unique feel that is quite different from playing with regulation wood boards. As mentioned above, plastic boards have a higher sliding factor, meaning that your bags may not stay on the plastic as they would on a wood board.

This requires developing a different technique that may frustrate some experienced cornhole players. And if your boards are causing frustration with other players, you might be playing alone!

The decision of wood versus plastic you make when buying cornhole boards is a personal one. Ultimately, you will need to consider the experience you would like to have and the way in which you hope to use your cornhole boards.

Custom Corntoss has a great selection of wood cornhole boards. You might think you want plastic, but you should give wood a try first! Take a look at all the options we have available.

What Makes the Best Filling Material for Cornhole Bags?

In some parts of the country, cornhole goes by the name of bags or baggo. This references one of the crucial elements of the game: the bags!

However, in cornhole, not just any bag will do. Cornhole players tend to prefer one of two materials: either actual corn or plastic pellets.

Which One is Better?

Neither option is “better” for cornhole bag filling as the choice just boils down to personal preference. But before you can buy cornhole bags, you definitely need to decide between corn or plastic pellets.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of corn versus plastic pellet filling material for cornhole bags.

Corn Filling

Die-hard corn-filled-bag fans are always quick to point out that the name of the game is CORNhole. They think the only filling should, naturally, be corn. The game originated with corn as the cornhole bag filling and the tradition continues among many players today.

A benefit of the corn filling is that bags must be broken in, which is a process that many players enjoy as they get to know a new cornhole set.

The saying “dust is a must” describes how many players feel about the importance of having bags filled with corn. As the corn in the bags breaks down, it emits a fine dust that affects game play. Fans of corn-filled bags find that the dust helps the bags slide slightly on cornhole game boards and play better overall. The dust offers an authentic cornhole experience, according to some.

On the other hand, corn is a natural material and is therefore more susceptible to decay. If the bag gets dirty, it is nearly impossible to clean because wet corn-filled bags mold easily.

This also means that you cannot leave your bags out in the rain or in the dew overnight.  The dampness will quickly ruin your bags.

Similarly, critters may be attracted to corn-filled bags. For this reason you should store your bags in air-tight containers when not in use to protect them from animals and the elements.

Pellet Filling

Using plastic pellets as cornhole bag filling is another viable option.

Unlike corn, plastic pellets do not break down, mold, or attract critters if neglected. Bags filled with plastic pellets are easy to clean if dirty and can be dried quickly by laying them flat in the sun.

If you plan on holding an annual cornhole event–such as a charity cornhole tournament–plastic pellets may be the way to go. They require little attention to keep them lasting year after year.

In game play, plastic pellet bags play differently than corn-filled bags. While corn-filled bags slide in their dust, plastic pellet bags are more likely to bounce (they don’t slide as much). Using bags with a different material requires players to adjust their technique slightly to account for the difference.

While corn-filled bags need to be broken in and thus acquire personality, the same is not true of plastic pellet-filled bags. The tradeoff of personality is durability, so the choice depends on your preferences and your willingness to take care of your cornhole investment.

The debate will continue about the best filling material for cornhole bags. These are the main arguments on both sides, so let your own preferences determine which material is better for your purposes.

When you purchase cornhole bags from Custom Corntoss, you have the option to select either corn or pellets. Fortunately, we can please everyone—no matter what camp you are in! And if you change your mind later on, you can always come back and try the other option.

Some Cornhole Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is coming, and the pressure of holiday shopping is starting to grow in our minds. This year, why not spread the great game of cornhole to everyone on your list? Even if the weather is cold or there is snow on Christmas day, everyone can still bundle up and get out to enjoy their new cornhole Christmas gifts.

Why Should You Give Cornhole Christmas Gifts?

Even if you are not yet a fan of cornhole yourself, consider getting in the spirit of the game while you get in the spirit of the season by giving cornhole Christmas gifts.

Cornhole is a fun outdoor game that can be played by anyone of any physical ability in any season.

Cornhole sets are inexpensive and they are portable, so you can take them to any event. Need more convincing?

Here are four more reasons why you should be giving cornhole Christmas gifts to everyone this year:

1. Easy Maintenance

Not only is cornhole cheap and portable, the game equipment requires little to no maintenance. Once you give someone a cornhole set, they may have it for life.

2. Physical Activity

Playing cornhole counts as exercise! What better way to build up an appetite for Christmas dinner than through a lively game of cornhole?

3. Bringing People Together

Cornhole is a group game, so it is an easy way to bond with friends. It also helps break the ice to meet new people. Few people will turn down an invitation to play a round of cornhole.

4. Self-Esteem Booster

There is nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes from watching a bag sail straight into the hole. Cornhole is a game of many small triumphs, and players will enjoy this sensation most of all.

Who Should Receive Cornhole Christmas Gifts?

Cornhole would make a great gift for everyone on your list this year. Read on for cornhole gift ideas for specific people on your list.

College Students

Every college and university has a logo and school colors, so why not get a cornhole set with those colors and matching logo? Even after they graduate, college students like their college cornhole set to remind them of the good old days at their alma mater.

Hard-to-Shop-For Family Members

Some people, for whatever reason, are difficult to shop for. If you have one or more people like that in your family or circle of friends, why not get them a cornhole set? Chances are they don’t have one yet and they would appreciate the novelty yet usefulness of the gift.

Sports Fans

Giving sports fans a cornhole set almost goes without saying if they don’t already have one. Whether they are tailgating or watching the game from home, cornhole is a great addition to any sporting event.

Kids

Kids love having big things to call their own, and young kids will feel a sense of pride and excitement in having their own cornhole boards. It is easy to adapt cornhole for kids, so the set can be used by the whole family.

Cornhole Fans

If your list already has a cornhole fan or two, you could supplement their collection of cornhole sets. Or add to their cornhole experience by giving them ideas of ways to improve cornhole. For example, you could give them a potato launcher to use for launching bags during a game of extreme cornhole.

Coworkers

If your office is doing a gift exchange, why not jazz up the exchange by giving a cornhole game set? You may even end up playing a round in the office.

What Should I Give?

If you are looking for specific Cornhole gift ideas, we have plenty of suggestions for you. A few examples include:

• Customized cornhole boards
• Cornhole bags (camo, glow-in-the-dark, or drinking bags to name a few specialties)
• Gift cards
• Decals
• Accessories

Cornhole is a great game that can be enjoyed by anyone, which is why is makes such a versatile gift. There are plenty of different kinds of cornhole Christmas gifts, so be creative when imagining cornhole gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Printable Cornhole Tournament Brackets

Running an official cornhole tournament requires more than just having cornhole boards, bags, and a location for the tournament. To make the tournament run smoothly, you also need to have a bracket prepared.

Preparing a bracket is relatively simple and takes only a bit of planning. Follow the steps below to create a cornhole tournament bracket.

1. Decide on Elimination Style

Tournaments can be either single elimination or double elimination. In a single elimination tournament, losing teams are immediately removed from the bracket and do not get a second chance.

This style is also called a knock-out, Olympic system tournament, or single penetration.

Double elimination eliminates teams after the second loss. To arrange a double elimination bracket, create a single elimination bracket, but include a second bracket for the losing teams below the winning team bracket.

Once teams lose in the winning (upper) bracket, they enter the losing (lower) bracket. If a team loses in the lower bracket, they are eliminated.

The elimination style you choose should reflect the number of teams involved in your tournament and the amount of time allotted for playing.

Tournaments with many teams involved or with time constraints should opt for single elimination style. Tournaments involving fewer teams or with more time for play may find that the double elimination style suits their needs better.

2. Create the Brackets

Once you have decided on the elimination style, you can create your bracket to reflect that elimination style. It is helpful to know how many teams will be playing while creating the bracket, but if you do not have an exact guess then estimate. You can either draw your own bracket or find a printable cornhole tournament bracket.

We have three printable cornhole tournament brackets available for free! Select one of the following:

3. Create the Teams

On the day of the tournament, it will be time to pair up the teams. If players in the tournament signed up as teams then you may skip this step.

However, if players have not yet made teams, then allow extra time for this step on the day of the tournament. You can either allow people to choose their partners or mix things up by putting every player’s name in a hat and drawing teams at random.

4. Match up Competing Teams

Now that you have a list of all of your teams, it is time to fill in the bracket.

You can repurpose the hat in step 3 by writing each of the team names down on separate pieces of paper and picking competitors at random. Place the first team’s name on the first blank line, the second team’s name on the second line, and so on until all of the lines are filled.

If you have an odd number of teams then the last team will automatically advance to the next round. This is called a bye and teams matched up with a bye will always advance to the next round.

Ready, Set, Go!

Cornhole is supposed to be a simple game, enjoyed by all. Don’t let your tournament bracket complicate things! Use one of our printable cornhole tournament brackets and you’ll be ready to go!

If you need any extra cornhole supplies for your tournament, let us know. We have official cornhole boards and bags that are appropriate for any sanctioned tournament. Plus, we have several cornhole sets that are available for rent.

The History of Cornhole

If you’re looking for a definitive history of cornhole here, you’ll probably be sorely disappointed. Not because we don’t want to provide you with one, but because the history of cornhole seems to vary.

There are a number of stories out there–some plausible, others laughable. However, in an attempt to provide you with as complete a history of cornhole as we could, we’ve decided to include them all.

Mr. Matthias Kuepermann

Legend has it that Mr. Kuepermann, a fourteenth century cabinet maker well-known for his carpentry skills, discovered some boys tossing rocks into a ground hog’s hole.

Mr. Kuepermann was concerned for the well-being of the boys selected to fetch the stones at the hole’s edge. He surmised that eventually one of them would get a good head knocking due to the stones flying through the air–and the inaccuracy with which the boys tossing them aimed. Thusly he set about designing a safer game for them to enjoy.

At this time in history, corn was utilized as a weight because it was in great abundance. He noted the bags of corn and determined they’d make a less dangerous projectile for the boards he ultimately designed. Since corn was being tossed into a hole, the name seemed appropriate and stuck.

Native American Roots

Another possibility revolves around ancient civilizations, presumably tribesmen, also tossing rocks into holes. In fact, many American scholars confirm that a game of a very similar nature was played amongst Native Americans in Midwest America. They filled pigs’ bladders with dried beans and competitively tossed them for entertainment–notably the Blackhawk tribe in Illinois. Americans are definitely keen on claiming its origination, which leads us to the most popular storylines.

Cincinnati or Kentucky

Cincinnati natives will assure you that cornhole gets its origin from the Porkapolis (Cincinnati’s nickname). There’s no doubt that it is extremely popular there. However, there’s also no proof that this is where cornhole got its start. The biggest supporting factor goes back to Mr. Matthias Kuepermann’s story, namely because he has some Germanic background and Cincinnati has a large German population.

The story is that German immigrants, having left their beloved homes, brought with them the sport that Kuepermann perfected. They settled in Ohio and reintroduced the game then.

Unfortunately, the people hailing from Kentucky beg to differ. They claim instead that those living in the foothills during pioneer times initiated the game.

Kentuckian claims are supported by the Midwestern farmer story. This says that in the early nineteenth century, Jebediah Magillicutty started the game. However, those in Kentucky find the name cornhole offensive and prefer to refer to it as Hillbilly Horseshoes or Bags. Sadly, just like every other story provided, there is no definitive proof here either.

In Summation

While we cannot find definitive proof for the origins of cornhole, when cornhole was invented, or where cornhole was invented, we can tell you that its popularity is sweeping the nation.

Bars and pubs are instituting regular cornhole tournaments, people are using cornhole as a marketing event and yes, there’s even cornhole in gym class. The truth is, you cannot escape the phenomenon that is cornhole and our guess is, you don’t want to.

So, what stories have you heard about the history of cornhole? Share them in our comments section. And be sure to check out the historically awesome selection of cornhole essentials available in our online store.

Four Far-Out Ways to Improve Cornhole

Loving cornhole is very similar to loving apple pie: it’s American, everyone adores it, and there are plenty of different ways to enjoy it.

For instance, have you ever eaten apple pie while enjoying the finer points of Shakespeare or Hemmingway? No? Well neither has anyone, probably.

The fact of the matter is that you could if you wanted to because it’s such a versatile dessert. The metaphor may have gotten a little out of hand there, but regardless, cornhole is awesome. Apple-pie-and-Shakespeare awesome.

It’s versatile, it’s fun, and it can be enjoyed in groups like so many of life’s greatest things. Just because the history of cornhole is shrouded in myth and legend, doesn’t mean your enjoyment of it has to be. The following are four simple ways to improve cornhole beyond its regular enjoyment level.

1. Try shooting at your targets.

Load up an old potato cannon or t-shirt cannon with your beanbag, and make your cornhole improvements even more EXTREME. You know, like the nineties. Everyone likes to reminisce about the nineties, right? Well now’s your chance to talk about gak, Nickelodeon, and grunge while playing the most extreme game of cornhole probably ever.

Think about it, bean bags propelled through the air at the speed of duck hunt, what more could you want?

2. Play a cornhole drinking game.

If you can, try and pick up cheap cornhole boards and customize your bags as necessary. Just about everything is more fun when there’s drinking involved, but try to get the rules sorted out beforehand. Or not. You won’t remember them about halfway through the round anyway– at least not if you’re playing the game right. Try: in the hole, pass the drink to a person of your choosing, miss the hole and the shot’s yours!

3. What about roughhousing throughout the match.

Don’t lie, you’ve always wanted to bat down an opponent’s bag just before it gloriously sinks into the hole. Allowing for defensive moves is a great way to get more energy pumping throughout a match. But wait, there’s more!

Make it a free for all by throwing as many bags at once towards the hole after the round starts. Then all you need is some camo cornhole bags, and you’ll feel right at home in an impromptu Call of Duty setting. If you squint, anyway.

4. Scale every bit of equipment up.

This one might take more finagling on your end, but it would make for some wicked Facebook or Instagram pictures at least. In Voltron (tell me you remember that classic) fashion, gather lots of cornhole boards together into a mega-board, or just build a really really big one. Of course, you’ll also have to construct ultimate bean bags to toss, and there’s no rule saying you can’t use homemade catapults. But, uh, you should definitely consult a catapult expert for that, as a side note.

So thankfully for all of you cornhole enthusiasts out there, there are plenty of ways to improve cornhole that can keep things interesting and a bit off the wall. Keep on being rad, you party-animals.

And if you need any cornhole supplies to make all your wildest gaming dreams come true, let us know. We probably can’t help you with catapult construction, but everything else is within our wheelhouse!

The newest party game, tailgating entertainment and all around awesome competitive outdoor experience—cornhole–should make an appearance in schools.

Yes, cornhole in gym class, could be the greatest thing to happen to phys ed.

Cornhole for kids is a revolutionary idea. Teaching cornhole in gym class could change student attitudes completely. Think about it, how many kids (especially in middle and high school) are excited to participate in physical education?

However, they might look forward to cornhole!

What’s the Big Idea?

Actually, the concept is quite simple. There are two elevated platforms (also known as cornhole boards) with holes in them. Teams or individuals take turns tossing bean bags into the holes.

When a bag lands on the board (but doesn’t go through the hole), one point is scored. When it makes it in the hole, that’s a three pointer! Simple, yet challenging.

The concept is readily grasped, so teaching your students won’t be hard. However, the cornhole game dimensions and foul line distances make for an interesting competition.

In addition, the necessity of mastering an underhanded throw (part of the Common Core Curriculum) is crucial to game success. See, cornhole really is educational!

Additional Teaching Opportunities

Let’s face it, today’s students, on the whole, are not in optimal health; therefore, teaching cornhole in gym might instigate change.  Consider teaching a series of lessons revolving around recreational activities — activities that encourage a healthy lifestyle but downplay the competitiveness.

There are other games that will help you institute this healthy lifestyle move. Introducing students to recreational activities that serve dual purposes will have a lasting impact. Try adding golf, badminton, ping pong, and bocce ball to your recreational game lessons.

Alleviating Concerns

Teachers are usually limited in their funding. That means cornhole is a great addition to your PE lesson planning. A couple of boards and the requisite cornhole bags can be acquired inexpensively.

In addition, parents and administrators won’t be too concerned about the safety of students participating in your cornhole experience. There’s not a lot of room for injury on a cornhole court! Plus, parents won’t have to purchase extra safety equipment for their children to participate. Cornhole truly is a grand idea for PE!

Make Your Own Versions

Eventually the standard mode of play will grow old, even if you’ve alternated between individual and team competition. So, here are some ideas to make cornhole even more entertaining, to spruce up the fun:

• Cornhole Races- This adds a timed element to the competition to get the adrenaline really flowing. Teams will be given a relatively short period of time in which to launch all their bags and sprint to the other side of the field to switch boards. This limits the points scored based on the time allowed for play.
• Cornhole Knockout- In this version, the play area is set up for individual play. However, instead of only playing with four bags, each player has 15-20, and they throw the bags at the same time! The potential for bags colliding midair, or knocking each other off the board, creates a sense of chaos that kids love. Even those on the sidelines will be involved in the action, cheering one another on.

Keep the fun in PE

Today’s kids are so inundated with fast paced, technologically based experiences that getting them excited about PE can sometimes be a challenge. However, staying on top of the newest trends and fads can enable you to make PE fun for them–without their iPods and tablets. Cornhole fits that need as it’s definitely all the rage.

Are you a PE teacher? Are you willing to give this idea a try and introduce cornhole in gym class? Check out our supply of cornhole essentials—boards, bags, and scorekeeping tools. Your students will be happy you did!

When it comes to effective marketing, you have to be willing to try new things. While advertising on television and billboards still has its place, you can no longer rely solely on traditional advertising to promote your business.

If you are looking for a new, effective, and unique way to get your name in the public eye, consider a cornhole tournament.

Hosting a cornhole tournament provides excellent positive publicity for your company and can be beneficial in several ways.

1.  Media Attention

Any event in town is going to attract the attention of journalists; but if you pair your marketing event with a charity fundraiser, you increase the odds of getting your story in front of more people.

As your business appears in newspapers and magazines, more and more potential customers are going to learn about your company.

It should be noted that positive articles written by the media have more weight with your prospects than advertising does. People expect you to say good things about your own business, but it’s more believable when it comes from a 3rd party.

2.  Positive Association

When people come to your cornhole event, they are sure to have a good time. After all, it’s a fun game, and people enjoy competition. When attendees look back fondly on the memories they form at your event, they will also think about your company.

It’s very powerful when your prospects have this kind of subconscious positive connection with your business. It almost assures you that they will choose you over your competition.

3.  Build Relationships

Any public event will allow you to further your relationships within the community. In essence, people will begin to think of you as “one of us,” rather than some faceless company. This is especially important because people will always be more likely to turn to you when they feel like you’re on their side.

4. Let Their Guard Down

We all have a tendency to put our guard up during every stage of the purchase decision. Most of the population has been tricked before, and most of the population has experienced buyer’s remorse in the past. This causes them to be distrustful of anyone that is selling them goods or services.

When you host a cornhole tournament that gives back to the community, they see that you care about more than profits. This allows them to let their guard down and truly hear you when you tell them what you have to offer.

5.  Build Team Pride

Internal marketing is often overlooked, but its value is well-worth your time and effort. The happier your employees are, the better they will do their job. It’s difficult to provide quality customer service when you don’t believe in the product or service you’re offering.

When your employees see that the company they are working for is sponsoring an event that brings happiness to the community, they will be proud of their workplace. Boosting morale in this way can do wonders for productivity.

Get Started Today

As you can see, hosting a cornhole tournament will be extremely beneficial for your business. However, it won’t be easy!

Of course, you’ll need both official cornhole bags and regulation cornhole boards.

If you want some tips for hosting a cornhole tournament, let us know. We have ample cornhole supplies that are available for purchase or rent.

Let Custom Corntoss help you embark on a unique, effective marketing campaign that will create a positive association with both your customers and employees.

Have you caught the cornhole fever? Maybe you’ve never even played the game cornhole, but are so intrigued by the inundation of cornhole tournaments and boards showing up at parties, that you’re considering acquiring your own.

The next step then, is to determine which method will work best for you: build or buy?

If you’re talented in the arena of woodworking, perhaps these simplistic looking boards could join your repertoire of constructed items. However, if the idea of using a measuring tape and saw is a little too overwhelming, you’re probably considering purchasing a board instead.

Building Your Own Cornhole Boards

Some people would argue there are various benefits to building your own cornhole game set. These benefits might include saving money and getting a set that is exactly how you want it.

However, you’ll only save money building a set if you have access to the necessary tools. Plus, the venture could get very expensive if you have to acquire a second set because your first carpentry attempt didn’t yield official cornhole boards (which are needed for tournaments).

And building a set will get you exactly what you want, but that doesn’t mean that passing the tape measure to someone else won’t ensure your preferences are met. Plenty of carpenters—like those at Custom Corntoss, for example—are more than willing to construct your set to your exacting specifications.

If you choose to build your own cornhole boards, you’ll also have to deal with the cornhole bean bags. Buying a game set ensures all equipment pieces are included, but the DIY method requires some extra effort on your part. You can sew your own cornhole bags and stay true to your DIY roots. Or, if you don’t consider yourself a seamstress, you can buy some bags.

Buying Cornhole Boards

If you’d rather not tackle the process yourself, let someone else build the boards for you. There are various perks to this decision.

Buying equipment from a reputable dealer ensures you’re purchasing official, regulation cornhole boards. If you choose to enter tournaments, you’ll need official boards. Buying from the pros means the construction will adhere to the necessary cornhole board specs.

Buying a cornhole game set ensures you’ll get everything you need—including cornhole bags. And just like the boards, you’re sure to get official cornhole bags.

How many times have you started a DIY project, only to see it half-completed in your garage a month later? Buying your boards means you’ll actually have the equipment when you want it!

Working with a professional cornhole company means your boards will be the highest quality. No design is too complicated. The customization will be flawless—and probably much better than you could do on your own!

The Best of Both Words

If you like the idea of DIY cornhole boards, but lack the necessary skills, considering buying a set of unfinished cornhole boards. Let the pros do the construction—which will ensure they are the official size.

Then, you can get crafty with a paint brush. You can even get a set of cornhole decals to make the customization complete.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if you build or buy. The important thing is that you get out there and play! Take a look at our selection of cornhole boards and bags. Let us help you secure the necessary equipment to fulfill your cornhole passion!

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. How many people can play? Cornhole can be played as singles or doubles. Essentially, it’s a 2 or 4 player game.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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!