How to Play Cornhole: A Beginner's Guide

Cornhole, also known as Bean Bag Toss or Tailgate Toss, is recognize as the most popular tailgating game in the world. It can been seen at football and baseball tailgates, college parties, backyard parties and a number of other places across the globe. It has been increasing in popularity and shows no signs up slowing up anytime soon.

The objective of the game is to score points by landing bean bags in the hole or on the opponent's cornhole board. It really is that simple and we have yet to met someone who does not love this game! In this guide, we will show you how to play cornhole, from the basic cornhole game rules to some tips and tricks. So gather up your friends and family, and let's get started!

The Basic Rules of Cornhole

Cornhole can be played with two or four players. If playing with four players, each player will throw from their own cornhole board. If playing with two players, each player will throw from alternating boards. The game begins with one player throwing their first bean bag. After that, the player who did not throw the first bean bag will throw their bean bag. Play then alternates back and forth until all bean bags have been thrown.

Scoring in Cornhole is simple - 3 points for each bean bag that goes through the hole, and 1 point for each bean bag that lands on the board but does not go through the hole. The first team or player to reach 21 points wins the game. There really is nothing else to it!

How to Set Up Cornhole

To set up a cornhole game, you'll need two things: a cornhole board set and eight bean bags. The cornhole board is a rectangular piece of plywood (your boards could be made with other materials, too) with two hole cutouts near the top corners. A regulation-size cornhole board is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, but you can also find boards that are different sizes (smaller sizes are available for kids, or for easier transport for things like tailgating). As for the bean bags, they should be made of soft material like cloth or leather, and filled with either corn or resin beads. The bags should weigh about 1 pound per bag.

Once you have your cornhole board and bean bags, set the board up on a flat surface like a driveway or patio. If you're playing on grass, make sure to put the board on a level spot so that it doesn't wobble when players toss the bean bags.

How to Play Cornhole

Cornhole can be played with two or more players divided into teams. If you're playing with four people, divide into two teams of two people each. If you're playing with more than four people, you can either keep teams of two or have larger teams of three or four people.

photo of playing cornhole outside

To start the game, one player from each team stands at opposite ends of the cornhole board and takes turns tossing their bean bag at the hole in their opponent's end of the board. A player gets one point for each bag that lands on, and stays on, the board and three points if their bag goes in the hole. You get all three points if your bag goes in the hole on your throw, or even if subsequent throws by your or your opponent knocks your bag in. If a bag goes in the hole, it's three points, no matter what. The players at the board that was just played on add up all the points. Only one team can score points on any round. So if Team A had one bag go in the hole and all other bags missed (3 points), and Team B had one bag stay on the top of the board and all other bags missed (1 point), then Team A scored two points (3-1=2).

If you're playing with just two people, you both would walk to the board you just threw to, collect the bags, and repeat the process back towards where you started. If you're playing with teams, the people stay put at each board and the bags get tossed to the other board during play. The game continues until one team reaches 21 points. If both teams are tied at 21 points when all eligibility players have had their turn, then keep playing until one team pulls ahead by at least 2 points.

Tips & Tricks for Playing Cornhole

Now that you know the basic rules of cornhole, why not learn some methods to improve your skills? Like any other game, there are always ways to learn and improve so that you can be the possible player that you can be! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you step your game up a notch:

Practice your aim!

The best way to get better at cornhole is to simply keep playing and practicing your aim. Pretty soon, you'll be racking up points left and right. The key to success is in the wrist snap; without a snap, the bag will simply fall to the ground. Players need to have a strong, consistent wrist snap in order to ensure that the bag travels in a straight line towards the hole.

women playing cornhole

Many beginners make the mistake of throwing the bag too hard, causing it to veer off course. It is important to find the perfect balance between power and control. The best way to practice your aim is to set up a cornhole board in your backyard and take some time to practice your throws. With enough practice, you'll be able to hit that perfect sweet spot every time.

Use spin to your advantage.

If you're having trouble getting your bean bags through the hole, try giving them a little spin as you release them. Bag spinning is a technique used by cornhole players to increase the accuracy of their shots. By spinning the bag, players can create a gyroscopic effect that makes the bag more stable in flight. This can be particularly useful when throwing long shots or trying to make a shot into a wind.

Bag spin can also be used to change the trajectory of the bag, allowing for more flexibility when making shots. To execute a proper bag spin, players should hold the bag by the corners and give it a quick flick of the wrist. The speed and direction of the spin will determine how the bag behaves in flight, so it is important to experiment with different techniques. With a little practice, anyone can master the art of bag spinning and take their cornhole game to the next level.

Stay focused and have fun!

Cornhole is a great game for socializing and spending time with friends and family. Unfortunately, Cornhole can also be quite distracting, with people talking, music playing, and drinks flowing. It can be difficult to stay focused on the game, but there are a few things that you can do to improve your concentration.

First, try to find a quiet spot away from the noise and commotion. Second, take a few deep breaths and focus on your breathing. Lastly, focus on your form and practice throwing the beanbag a few times before you start the game. By following these tips, you can improve your concentration and have more fun while playing Cornhole.

Time to Start Playing Cornhole

Cornhole is a great game to play outdoors in the summer, and it’s perfect for any party or get-together. If you want to learn how to play cornhole, or if you just need some tips to improve your game, we hope the above gave you some insight into what you need to do to become an aficionado.

So, now that you know the basics of the game and a few tips to improve your skills, it's time to get out there and start playing! With a little practice, you'll be able to hit that perfect sweet spot every time. If you are looking for some more info or would like to talk to the cornhole pro's, the team at Skip's Garage is here to help!

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