Cornhole is a classic yard game that people of all ages and ability levels can participate in, making it a fun addition to any outdoor event. While the standard rules are always sure to keep players lining up for their turn at the boards, we wanted to share a few variations on cornhole that we enjoy.
There’s something for players of all skill levels here, so read on to learn the basic rules for these cornhole modifications.
- H-O-R-S-E: Much like the classic basketball game, this variation on cornhole involves players choosing a spot to toss from and then calling their shot (behind the back, eyes closed, non-dominant hand, etc.) and then attempting to make it. Then, the remaining players attempt to make the hole from the same spot and with the same technique as the first player. For each shot a player makes, they receive a letter, and the winner is the first to make five shots and achieve HORSE. This version is fun for novice and experienced players alike.
- Around the World: Instead of attempting to sink their bags in the hole, players will try to get bags on all four corners of the board. Opposing teams can try to either land their bag on top of the bag on a corner (the topmost bag has claim over the corner) or attempt to knock off their competition’s bag to clear the area. The first team to conquer all four corners of a board wins, or you can up the stakes by requiring teams to conquer both boards.
- Non-Cancellation: Traditionally, cornhole players can cancel out their opponent’s points during a round by landing bags of their own, but this can lead to games that last many rounds. To speed things up, modify the scorekeeping so that points do not cancel out, and simply add up the total number of points each team scores for each round.
- Captain’s Game: This version is fun for larger groups since you can adapt it to allow for teams of more than two people. Each team picks a Captain, who is the first to throw their bag each round. The players who follow the Captain attempt to get their bags as close to the Captain’s bag as possible, with 3 points awarded for bags that touch or land on top of the Captain’s bag, and 1 for being within a few inches.