If you are looking for a way to relax and have an amazing time with a few friends over a friendly duel that leaves you feeling delightfully exhausted, then Cornhole is it for you.
This fine game which has been there for some time but has recently been rediscovered, is fun to play and a delight to watch. It’s a game that both the very young and the not so young can play joyfully. In fact, in some homes for the elderly, Cornhole is the game of choice as it helps them feel reinvigorated.
This board game played with bags filled with corn feeds tossed over the board is going to places so fast that it has a large community of players and an association that regulates the game and organizes tournaments and competitions for professionals.
The Game of Cornhole
Cornhole is a lawn game played on a raised board with a hole in its far ends. The players throw bags filled with corn feed on the board to get the bag to fall through the hole.
The game kit comes with two boards made of wood like marine plywood, poplar, and the likes in which one edge is raised, thereby creating a slanting surface and eight bags of 6 inches × 6 inches in a dimension filled with corn feed.
This great game can be played as a single, double, or with a team of 4 players, in which case it is called a crew format. The game is played until any of the players or group reaches a minimum of 21 points.
These are the various ways that points are awarded in Cornhole.
- A player is awarded 3 points if they throw the cornhole bag and it goes through the hole.
- If the bag is thrown and it hangs into the hole, the player is awarded 1 point
- One point is awarded for a throw that lands the bag hanging off the edge.
- A point is awarded for a bag that hits the board and still hits the ground.
I hope I have gotten your attention. Now let us attempt the question that is you might want to ask.
Why Is Cornhole Making the Buzz?
There are many reasons why Cornhole is gaining popularity not just among young people but also among people of all ages; it is simply because of the following:
- Cornhole is a wholesome game for the whole family that sharpens your mind. It is a beautiful game that stimulates you to think and keeps you physically engaged while you are at it.
- The game is simple to learn and play, so even young kids can play it.
- This game can be played indoors or outdoors because it doesn’t require a big court to be enjoyed. It can be played on beaches, campgrounds, parks, and almost everywhere.
- The equipment can be easily carried around because it is very portable. There are newer versions that can be folded, making it very convenient to be carried.
- The equipment used on playing the games is so safety compliant because they have no metallic part or pointed edges that can pose an injury risk.
How Do I Get Better at The Game?
If you want to excel in this game, you must be committed and ready to pay the price like all other things in life. Here are a few ways to sharpen your Cornhole skills:
- Practice and dedicate time to it because this is the only way to improve your game.
- Watch others play the game and learn from them so you can correct what you are getting wrong.
- Try competing with people who are better than you in the game, and in so doing, you will sharpen your skill.
- Master the shots that get you winning the game. These shots include:
- The blocker is the shot in which you toss the bag near the hole to stop another person from throwing their bag through the hole and getting 3 points.
- The airmail: this is a toss that sends the bag to the hole.
- The push: this is the shot that nudges your bag into the hole, or it can be used to knock a blocker from the spot.
- Slider: this is the shot in which the bag lands about six inches from the hole on the front of the board.
What Is the Best Cornhole Bag Filling?
Different materials could be used to fill the cornhole bag, and the typical one is the corn feed from which the game got its name. However, I must say that the best cornhole bag filling is plastic pellets.
What Are the Cons of Plastic Pellets?
Plastic pellets being inorganic material have some advantages that make them best for filling Cornhole bags, including the following:
- Plastic pellets are relatively cheap and readily available.
- They can be washed and made clean, unlike other alternatives.
- Plastic pellets, unlike other organic options like corn feed, do not decay, nor can they be attacked by pests such as rodents.
- They are weather resistant since the sun or rain does not affect their weight or feel.
What Are the Traditional Cornhole Bag Filling?
Ordinarily, the filling used for filling Cornhole bags is corn feed, but as time went on, people noticed some issues with corn feed as bag filling, and many people have opted for other options.
What Is the Downside to Corn Feed Filled Bags?
Corn feed filled bag though respond very well to throws, yet it has some issues, which include:
- Because corn feed is organic, it could grow molds and can quickly decay.
- The deterioration of the corn feed meant the bag had you be changed frequently, which can be inconvenient.
- These bags were prone to attacks from rodents and insects.
- This corn feed can swell up and even give off a slight smell during wet weather or when the bag gets damp.
These were the reasons why some players prefer plastic pellets. But we must say that many people still use corn feed-filled bags even for professional competitions.
What Are Other Types of Stuffing Used to Fill Cornhole Bags?
There is another cornhole bag filling that could be used, including sand, dried peas and beans, and the likes. Sand has a major flaw: it doesn’t respond to throws like corn feed or plastic pellets. Another downside is that sand can absorb water and then clump together and can also become heavy.
Peas and beans, though, have the bounce and feel needed; however, the fact that they grow moldy can be attacked by pests and rodents and cannot be cleaned like artificial ones makes them a relatively poor option.
What Is the Most Popular Cornhole Bag Filling?
The most popular Cornhole bag filling is the plastic corn pellets. These synthetic materials have the exact feel of the real thing without the issues that are associated with them. Some people have gone ahead to make this synthetic corn feel look exactly like the real corn feed.
The American Cornhole League ACL does not allow any other filling for the cornhole bags used in their tournament other than these plastic pellets.
What Is the Regulation for Cornhole Bag Filling?
The association that coordinates Cornhole games, known as the Cornhole Association, recommends that your typical dried corn feed be used as filling for playing the game.
They will also accept any other option that will prove handy and have the same feel and response as real corn feed. However, they frown at options that disintegrate and leave small particles around.
A typical Cornhole bag should be filled with 2 cups of corn feed, plastic pellets, or any other material that can give a similar result when tossed on the board.
Does The Cornhole Bag Material Matter?
An emphatic YES is an answer. Different bag materials have different feel and responses when tossed. Choose a bag material that feels right with you and responds well to your style of the throw.
Duck cloth bag material is very popular among Cornhole players because it is premium quality and is two-sided. One side of the bag is made of duck clothing, and the other is suede.
How Important Is It to Inspect My Equipment?
It is crucial to inspect your Cornhole equipment from time to time, especially if you play the game professionally, this is to ensure that everything is OK with them, and if there are ones that need repairs or needs to be replaced, then it should be done promptly. This will save you time and stress at the last minute.
How Do I Choose My Cornhole Bag?
There is different bag material with different fillings, a test throw with any of them will be the best option for you. But whatever your bag material choice, endure that they are sturdy, durable, and great for optimal sliding.
What Do I Need to Do to Enjoy My Cornhole Equipment?
If you want to enjoy your Cornhole equipment, then do the following:
- The board should always be covered, and the sliding surface should face inward; this will protect them from getting scratched, dirty, or worn out.
- Even though most boards are strong, they must be handled carefully to maintain their shine and strength.
- The Cornhole board should always be kept in a cool, dry place when it is not in use to prevent it from absorbing moisture and swelling up. The cornhole bag, too, should always be dry, especially if its filling is corn feed, peas, or beans; this will prevent them from going moldy.
- The equipment must be kept inside, especially the corn-feed-filled bag, as rides like a squirrel can attack it.
- Freezing the cornhole bag is an excellent way of preserving it.
What Is the Future of Cornhole Game?
Cornhole as a game has come to stay from its Humble start in Ohio in the US, this game which is now played in many parts of the world has come to stay, and its popularity is growing.
Someone might say, “why don’t we have a Cornhole game in the Olympics.” Well, all we can say is this: though this great game is not in the Olympics yet, who can say it won’t be in the nearest future going from the way things are”.
Conclusion
We round up by telling you to go enjoy yourself with a group of fun-loving friends; this game is great fun because not only will you be happy, “it will keep you delightfully fit.”
This simple yet captivating game can be your new addition to your family and friends’ time at the beach, camp, and another social event because it is becoming a national sensation.
But ensure you choose the best equipment, right bag, and best filling that will bring out that winner in you.
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