Buying guide for best cornhole game sets
Whether you’re having a barbecue, tailgating at your favorite sporting event, or just hanging out on a summer night, a fun lawn game can be a great way to pass the time. Cornhole is a classic option because it’s relatively easy to play – and even easier to set up on the go.
To play cornhole, you need the proper equipment: two regulation boards and corn or bean bags for tossing. Fortunately, these items are often sold in sets, so you can get everything you need to play in one convenient package.
Not all cornhole game sets are created equally, though, and it’s important to choose the right materials, size, and other features so your boards and bags are as durable and functional as possible. But with all of the cornhole sets on the market, it can certainly be tough to sort through all the options.
If you’re ready to buy a cornhole game set, check out our top recommendations in the product list above. For general tips on how to choose a game set, continue reading our shopping guide.
What is cornhole?
Cornhole is an outdoor yard game similar to horseshoes. However, instead of using metal stakes and horseshoes, you toss small bags filled with corn or pellets at an inclined game board that has a hole at one end. The goal is for the bags to fall into the hole – or land on the board surface surrounding the hole.
How do you play cornhole?
Cornhole can be played with two or four players. If you’re playing with four, divide into teams of two. Two cornhole boards are placed front to front on level ground, 27 feet apart. You should have eight cornhole bags in two different colors, with four in each shade so each team can be assigned a specific color.
If you’re playing with teams, station a player from each team at each board. If you’re playing singles, players should alternate throwing at each board. Players stand at the front edge of the board opposite the platform at which they’re aiming and take turns throwing at the hole until all of the bags have been tossed. Bags that go in the board’s hole earn three points, while bags that land on the platform earn one point. If a bag that lands on the platform is knocked into the hole by another bag, you get three points for it too.
Cornhole is played in innings. During an inning, each player tosses four bags. In an inning, your bags should all be thrown at the same board. At the end of the inning, you switch boards. Scoring is calculated at the end of each inning by subtracting the score of the lower-point team from that of the higher-point team. For example, if Team One scores nine points and Team Two scores five points, Team One would actually earn four points and Team Two would earn zero. The inning scores are added together as you go, and the game continues until a team reaches 21 points.
"Plastic cornhole boards are often a good choice for beginners. Experienced players, on the other hand, usually prefer wooden boards."
STAFF
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Cornhole game set features
Design
Many cornhole games feature a classic design with a simple wooden or solid color finish. However, you can also find sets that include boards with novelty designs, such as a flag pattern, colorful stripes, or even your favorite sports team’s logo.
Materials
Board
Cornhole boards are typically made of either wood or plastic. Wood is traditional, but plastic models can work very well too.
Wood
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Provides a classic, attractive look
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Offers more control when you throw because the bags don’t slide easily
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Tends to be heavier
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Requires more maintenance and protection
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Is usually more expensive
Plastic
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Offers lighter construction for increased portability
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Costs less
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Holds up well to the elements for increased durability
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Requires little maintenance
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Bags may slide off surface
Some cornhole boards are made of a thin polyester fabric, so they’re extremely lightweight and collapsible for easy transport. While the fabric is designed to be anti-skid to allow the bags to move easily over the surface, serious cornhole players usually aren’t fans of fabric boards.
Bags
Most cornhole bags feature a duck canvas exterior. It is a durable material that comes in a wide variety of colors, so the bags should last a long time. Some inexpensive bags may use nylon, which holds up to moisture well but isn’t as durable as canvas.
The filling material for cornhole bags can be either corn or plastic resin pellets. Corn is the traditional choice, but pellet filling has increased in popularity. Some players prefer corn because it emits a dust as the corn breaks down, which can be used to affect game play. However, plastic resin pellets are water-, mold-, and insect-resistant, so they last much longer than traditional corn-filled bags.
Size
A regulation cornhole board is 24 inches by 48 inches. Because the surface is on an incline, there should be three inches between the ground and the top of the playing surface at the front edge of the board and 12 inches from the ground to the top of the playing surface at the back edge. The hole that you aim the bags should be six inches in diameter and located 8 ⅞ inches from the top edge in the center of the board.
For more casual playing, you can also find sets with smaller boards. The smaller size makes storing and carrying the board easier. If you plan to travel with your set, you may prefer a junior board.
Pay attention to the size of the bags included in any set, too. They shouldn’t be any smaller than six inches by six inches because smaller bags may be too easy to toss into the board’s hole.
Portability
Many people who enjoy cornhole like to take the game with them when they tailgate, go on road trips, or visit the beach, so you’ll want to look for a set that offers the most portability. Keep an eye out for these features.
Did you know?
The American Cornhole Association hosts a variety of tournaments and events for serious cornhole players.
STAFF
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Cornhole game set prices
Cornhole game sets vary in price based on the size, materials, and other items included in the set, but you can expect to spend between $15 and $200.
Inexpensive: For a mini cornhole game set made of wood or plastic, you’ll usually pay between $15 and $30. For a junior-size cornhole game set made of fabric, you’ll usually pay between $30 and $45.
Mid-range: For a regulation-size cornhole game set made of plastic, you’ll usually pay between $60 and $100.
Expensive: For a regulation-size cornhole game set made of wood, you’ll usually pay between $100 and $200.
Cornhole game set tips
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Store it inside. To prolong the life of your cornhole game set, don’t leave it outside where it’s exposed to the sun, rain, and other elements. Keep it stored in an indoor location.
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Keep it protected. Store your cornhole game set in a spot where it won’t be exposed to sharp objects. A scratched or gouged board surface can affect play.
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Keep it dry. If you choose a wooden cornhole game set, be sure to store it in an area where it won’t be exposed to water or moisture, which can warp and damage the wood. Also keep cornhole bags filled with real corn cool and dry. They can easily grow mold in a warm, moist environment.
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Play on grass or sand. It’s best to play cornhole on the grass or in the sand. Placing the board on concrete, asphalt, or other paved surfaces can cause significant wear and tear.
FAQ
Q. What type of cornhole game set is best for travel?
A. If you’re going to be traveling with the game regularly, choose a set made with a lightweight material like plastic or even fabric. Look for a style that folds or collapses for increased portability, and consider a set that comes with a carrying case to keep the board and bags together.
Q. Can you use a cornhole game set indoors?
A. While cornhole is usually played as a lawn game, you can use a game set indoors if you prefer. You just need to be certain that you have enough to space to set up the boards properly and throw the bags according to game rules. Because soft bags are used rather than a ball or other hard object, you don’t have to worry as much about breaking items.
Q. What type of finish should you look for on a cornhole board?
A. The surface of a cornhole board should be slightly slippery, so the bags move across it when you toss them but don’t slide right off. Plastic often has a smooth, slick surface that works well, but wooden boards are usually finished with some type of high-gloss paint that makes the surface just slick enough.
