The Origins of Cornhole by:Dave Roth
The Cornhole game.
Either 1) you love the game or 2) you've never heard of it. Yes, Cornhole is that addicting. A couple corn tosses and you're begging your friends for information on where to buy or build your own Cornhole game boards and beanbags.
If you really haven't heard of Cornhole, it's relatively simple game. There are two teams, each with 4 beanbags, and two boards. The cornhole boards are set facing each other, 27 feet apart. Team 1 stands at Team 2's board and tosses the beanbags to their own board, trying to toss the beanbag into the cornhole. Next, Team 2 takes their turn, tossing towards their board, trying to get more points than Team 1.
A bag that lands on the board is worth one point; a bag in the hole is worth 3 points. When both teams have thrown their 4 bags each, the lower team's score is subtracted from the higher team's score. The difference in scores are the points that the higher team gets. For example, if Team 1 scores 4 points and Team 2 scores 7 points, then Team 2 gets 3 points for that round (7 points minus 4 points.) Twenty-one points wins the game.
But just where did this simple game with the odd name get started? Many debates have ensued about who actually started this corn-filled-bag tossing game.
The two most heavily debated theories of origin are Germany and Cincinnati, Ohio.
One story says Cornhole was invented in the 1300s by a German farmer. The Cincinnati story says it was started on that city's west side.
Still others suggest Cornhole really did start in Germany, but was brought to Cincinnati, a theory supported by a large German population there.
All very plausible suggestions.
Is it really plausible that it wasn't until the 1900s that people started tossing a bag or rock into a hole? It might even have roots farther back than Germany, actually, but perhaps in a slightly different version.
It would seem even the most ancient of civilizations around the world could have created a similar tossing game. After all, when you don't have a Toys R Us store to go to, where do you find competitive entertainment? Mancala is another popular American game that has ancient roots, requiring only rocks and holes dug into the ground.
After all, Cornhole is known by several different names. The "Cornhole" name is offensive to some, as it is also a derogatory word in some places. They call it Bags, Baggo, Corn Toss, Bean Bag Toss, and even Hillbilly Horseshoes.
Wherever the truth of Cornhole's origin lies, it's American roots do seem deep into Cincinnati, Ohio. Now it's a popular tailgating game and has spread around the country and is even being taken into other countries like the UK and South Africa!
You'll find Cornhole at many a family picnic, reunion, backyard BBQ or holiday gathering. It is also popular at company picnics, bars, and tailgate parties. And for the diehards, you can even find tournaments in many cities.
No matter who tossed the first bag into the first cornhole, the game is taken very seriously. Try it, and we know you'll be addicted, too.
About the author
Dave Roth runs SC Bean Bags, a website devoted to the game of cornhole. The site offers Cornhole bags, sets, and directions for building your own set.
Top 10 Gifts for a Baby Shower for a Boy by:Don Ryan Personalized Wedding Gifts: Flutes, Frames, and More by:Shannon McCoy Relocating Tips - How to Find the Right Neighborhood for Your Family by:Carla Alvarez The Most Effective Way To Pick Out Avehicle Seat For Your Child by:Chris Zend Why Pest And Building Inspections Matter by:Dave Judge Learning the Foreign Language of Cornhole by:Dave Roth To Steam Clean or not to Steam Clean by:David Roth Housewarming Gifts For Prosperity and Joy by:Kate Schaffer Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Function by:Mary Hubbard Out of the House and Into the Unknown: Helping Individuals with Autism Cope in a Social World by:Jennifer Krumins 8 Ways to Survive (and Maybe Even Enjoy) a Family Holiday with a Child with Autism by:Jennifer Krumins Christmas Gifts For Mom by:John Marshall Unusual Gift Ideas by:John Marshall