What Is Cornhole?

Since the dawn of the lawn, man has found new ways to use his grassy expanse for recreation. Too small for traditional sports like soccer and too nice to go to waste as an expensive green abstract, many games have been devised to utilize a 30- or 40-foot personal pasture. Horseshoes, croquet, bocce ... these games have been around. But lately there's a new term being tossed around tailgates and bandied about barbecues: cornhole. It sounds like fun, it sounds like it might be a little messy, but the lingering question is, what is cornhole?

Simple as Corn Be Cornhole is one of the newest in a series of games designed to test accuracy, foster friendly competition, and leave one hand available for refreshment. The best thing about this new game is that literally anyone can play. Cornhole involves no dangerous metal hooves, draconian British rulebooks, or foot-crushing tossballs. Kids, moms, dads, jocks, nerds, hippies ... they all love this game. If you can lob a pocket 30 feet or so without causing a scene, cornhole is the lawn game for you. Pop Cornhole Anywhere Apartment? Tailgate? Campground? No problem. Most cornhole bags are made from super-durable material that won't spill the beans no matter where you play. The equipment needed for cornhole is easily packed into a backseat or trunk, so it goes where you go.

Scorin' Hole
Cornhole scoring and play are closely akin to horseshoes. Teams of two align themselves at either end of two wooden targets placed 30 feet apart. Taking turns on the toss, each player tries to land his bag in the hole or on the wide wooden surface. Get one in, 3 points for you. Land it on the platform, 1 point. If the person playing alongside you does the same, the points cancel out - so the only scoring is pure profit. Lead changes are frequent and competition becomes fierce, so get ready to keep score. First team to 21 wins!

In Cornclusion
Cornhole - once you get past the goofy name - is easily the most family-friendly member of the tailgate game pantheon. Keep reading our helpful articles to get the scoop on cornhole rules, cornhole etiquette, and (yes) cornhole history. The next time you hear someone ask, "What is cornhole?", be prepared to say, "It's awesome."