Cornhole Fun For Everyone!
We had a little backyard fun with friends a couple weeks ago at Neil & Abby's house. It was mostly all our softball friends...
We got there late, so most folks had already come and gone. But it's never too late to get your Cornhole on!
...Think of it as a "bean bag toss for adults".
Then, imagine that it's fun.
Fun For Most...
For some reason, I've never gotten into this game, but everyone ELSE sure seems to like it.
(I just can't get past the name... it makes me squinch every time I hear it!)
Oh well, at least there's always beer.
Say... maybe these fun DRINKING corn toss bags would motivate me to play!!!
What Is Cornhole?
Believe it or not, there are "official rules" to this game. And they're quite sophisticated. They even include rules for sanctioned tournament play!
I mean, who'd a thought you'd need more than 500 words to describe it? (3,700 to be exact)...
...and that there'd actually be an American Cornhole Association?!?!
Can I just say that the top placed ad on the American Cornhole Association membership page is:
Hillbilly Games -- "Products and accessories that promote good family fun and honor our hillbilly heritage."
...'nough said.
Anyway, back to Cornholes.
How To Play Cornhole
First you squinch.
No, just kidding.
But if you're like me, then you might think that the aim of the game is simply to toss your beanbag-thingy into the round hole on the other side... from a distance of like 20 feet away.
Not so...
Instead, it's a delicate system of "pitching" your individual "1 lb. corn bags" at a "cornhole platform" from a distance of "precisely 30 feet" and "tallying your score" as you go. Sounds easy enough. (Also sounds like horseshoes, right? Or... BEANBAG TOSSING?!)
Whatever.
According to the American Cornhole Association:
"Scoring can be swift..."
ooooooh!
and
"...the lead may change hands several times in a match before the winner is decided."
aaaaaah!
I guess I'll leave it up to Jim -- who's played several times -- and others to comment on the intrigue and challenge of this game ...which at first glance, looks to be quite primitive. I trust that there's something there. I'm just not sure what it is.
Anyway, at Neil & Abby's parties, Cornhole is always the LIFE of the Party!!!! Trust me. And half the audience usually wants the dimensions to build their own Cornhole game.
Build Your Own Cornhole Game
Alas, if you'd like to build your own Cornhole game, here are the "official" dimensions and "official" Cornhole Playing Rules.
I will say this...
The Cornhole game was "allegedly" a gift to Abby on her birthday. (She's from the Midwest and this game seems to have originated somewhere up there.) And the coolest thing about Neil & Abby's Cornhole game is the fact that it's got the Chicago Cubs logo on one "platform" and the Tennessee Titans logo on the other "platform"! You see, they are the Cubs and Titans #1 Fans, so I'm sure it's doubly satisfying when they "score one for the Cubbies".
Now, all you need is these fun Chicago Cubs/White Sox Corn Bags and Tennessee Titans Corn Bags guys!
Oh, by the way...
As my gift to you, Neil & Abby, your "official American Cornhole Association membership cards" are in the mail! (Awe shucks, don't thank me too much... it was free!)
What I Learned Today...
This Cornhole stuff is a serious business. Here are a number of sites that design and sell personalized Cornhole games (nevermind the "official business names"):
- Cornhole4U (SOLD OUT... What's that tell ya about the demand for this game?!)
- Cincinnati Games ($100 and up... What's THAT tell ya about how seriously people take this game?!)
- Hillbilly Games (...Cornhole games and more!)
- Ladder Bags (...Laddergolf site that sells Cornhole game supplies)
UPDATE:
We are about to head to "an undisclosed luxurious vacation destination" in the Midwest with Neil & Abby... where I'm told there will ALSO be a Cornhole game!
I'm sure I'll be paying the price for all this Cornhole talk.
...At least there will be beer.
If You Liked This, You'll LOVE...
Everything You Want To Know About Cornhole... and More! -- all the basics about playing Cornhole, including rules & competitions
How To Build Your Own Cornhole Game -- find the official dimensions and building diagrams to build Cornhole platforms
The Fun Times Guide To Cornhole Games -- for all the latest & greatest Cornhole game supplies & accessories
Ladder Golf & Bolo Toss Games -- similar to Cornhole... but different
Remember to register for the 3rd Annual Windy City Cornhole Classic! The event will take place on October 3, 2009 at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, IL. Enter as singles or doubles, competitive, or social and come compete for a total of $4500 in prizes! Visit www.chicagocornholeclassic.com for more information and to register!
It is whole Kernel corn, you can get it at any Tractor Supply Store or probably even Wal-Mart. You dont need much, just one pound per bag.
www.cornpentry.com makes them with either color combo. The logo on white and the logo on blue. I got one box each way about 4 months ago. There the best I've seen around. GoodLuck! Tell them Billy sent you from Chicago!
I was wondering where you ordered the Cub cornhole boards from. At cornpentry I only saw white boards with the cubs logo, and I want a blue board with the Cubs logo. If you could get back with me that would be great!
The second annual Windy City Cornhole Classic was a great success! Due to rain, the event was moved to the mezzanine- but that didn’t stop the competitors. Although the weather was a let-down there was still a great turn out with around 600 competitors and spectators. The long-throw competition challenged many with a final winning distance of 69 feet. Teams came as far as Idaho, Kentucky, as well as all over the Chicagoland area to compete in this year’s event.
Thanks again to all those for coming out and showing your support. We look forward to hosting next year’s event. For updated results check out our website at www.chicagocornholeclassic.com. See you next year!
Soldier Field and SMG proudly presents The Second Annual Soldier Field Cornhole Classic.
Under new management, the cornhole classic is right around the corner, so get ready for another great event.
What: Soldier Field Cornhole Classic
When: Saturday, July 12, 2008
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Time: 10am and 1pm (see website)
Who: All level players…Competitive and Social Divisions!
For more information or to register go to www.chicagocornholeclassic.com
Suggestions and comments are welcome from all participants and spectators. Come and join the fun on Saturday, July 12 at 10am. Be prepared to bring your game face!
Best boards available and non-astronomical prices. Just because it is a serious game, you do not neet to pay out of the nose. Visit us at www.notjustcornhole.com
PJ -
Yep, the dimensions for building the Bolo Toss/Ladder Golf ladders are here.
What exactly is the kind of corn that you fill the bags? Is it whole shell corn or cracked corn?
I am from Cincinnati but live in North Carolina. I love playing cornhole so much at family gatherings that I have talked my southern-born husband into building me a set in time for our July 4th picnic. This will be my chance to introduce cornhole to my in-laws. I'll be sewing up the bags tonight!
C
Anyone interested in playing in a cornhole tournament in Chicago at Soldier Field on July 28th, 2007??? Anyone can play!!! If you have any questions email delmar@articulatepromotions.com
I am in the process of building a set of "cornhole" boards, I have searched for dimensions and specs online, I have encountered multiple dimensions for the rear highth, ie. 12" from one source and know yours, 13.5" I'm confused.
Is there an official "cournhole" organization?
Thanks for any help you may give me.
David Crowell
Uh oh... you're hooked now!
Your entire family will soon be addicted to playing the Cornhole game.
I frequently order supplies for our retail stores and our distribution center from U-Line Shipping supplies and I recently placed a very large order. They offer "premium gifts" that are available when you make purchases. The more money you spend, the better your premium gift can be. They had NFL cornhole games available and I could not resist getting 1 for the d.c. and 1 for...ME. They've already attracted a lot of attention and I'm sure will become a great way to relieve stress on breaks around here.
James -
The official cornhole rules don't specify -- overhand or underhand.
According to Suttmann.com:
"It is recommended to throw the bags underhand, but it is not required. I've seen players throw overhand, side-armed, and even like a Frisbee."
Do you have to throw the bags under handed. I'm better when I toss the bags over handed so I'm wanting to know if I'm breaking the official rules of the game?
As a Transplant to the Indy area from the west coast, I had never heard of "Cornhole" either. I happen to own a company that makes small carnival games and my builders are all local guys. Someone mentioned that they could build a Cornhole game our of our scrap material and I squinched also thinking sexual harrassment and all.
Lo' and behold, I am now hooked on the game and my company is building (selling) 20 to 25 sets a week. I still squinch when I say the name, and I am real careful when I mention it to people outside the mid-west area.
Great article, I truely enjoyed reading it.
Erin -
You can order a cornhole game with the Chicago Cubs logo from CornPentry.com
please tell me where I can find the customized Chicago cubs Bags Game????!!!!
Cornhole: The new game in town…
We are calling out all the greatest “Bean Bag / Cornhole†players..
MY PARTNER AND I ARE INVITING ANYONE TO COME OUT AND CHALLENGE US, WE WILL MEET AT A NEUTRAL LOCATION.. WILL PLAY FOR CASH.... BRING IT ON... Bean Bags R US..
GENO,
708-705-7900
Hey there! I sell cornhole sets and just wanted to let you guys know that you guys are awesome. I love the way your website is and love the talk about cornhole. I love playing the game as my friends thoroughly love it too. Thats why I sell them. Feel free to contact me at rmurphy@dominicirvine.com and I'll have a set made specificly for you if you are wanting one. There are a lot of people out there that already want one. You guys are awesome I just hope you get one soon before everyone else buys one so that you can be the first in Franklin/Nashville to have one. Thanks...Ryan Murphy
We can supply official SuperToss cornhole or a more transportable/easy-to-store Family version. Check us out at www.supertoss.com. Have a great day!
Hey, does anyone know of a site that has good directions on building a set? I played cornhole with a friend from Ohio and now I want it. I live in Oregon and nobody knows about it--you should see the looks when saying cornhole. Thanks.
JR - My sister ordered the cornhole boards as a gift for me (from CornPentry.com, as Lynnette already posted). My sister has ordered several from this site, and has been happy with them, but I haven't seen any other than the ones we have. If you're interested, post back here with your email address and I'll send you some close-up pictures of the boards.
JR - you didn't leave an e-mail address, so I hope you'll be checking back here...
The CUBS and TITANS cornhole boards were ordered from CornPentry.com
Hi just found your site wanted to know were you got the cubs cornhole boards.
Neil - I do what I can do - but you know Lynnette has a mind of her own. I think we can convert an Indiana girl into liking this game - especially if beer is involved.
Ok, you're from Indiana. That explains alot.... Don't forget your camera. I want to make sure we remember this forever :)
...Is this a "challenge"???
Okay, you're on! (she says reluctantly... as Jim sits here twisting her arm, assuring her that she WILL in fact accept this friendly challenge -- and with a smile)
But I'm from Indiana, not Ohio, so you'll have to take that into account when it comes to my "learning curve" with games which involve Cornholes.
WHITE SOX!! No southside White Sox anything allowed in my house. NORTHSIDE ALL THE WAY!!! Hopefully Jim can defend the fun that will be had by all.
I don't know where to start - first of all, the only people who have heard of this game are from Ohio...isn't that where you're from? Next, I have to insist that this is no game of "bean bag toss". This is serious business. And once I get you to play a game at our "undisclosed vacation destination" (yep, I left out "luxurious" on purpose) you'll be as hooked as all the others.