Cornhole, a popular lawn game also known as sack toss. This game is popular in North America and enjoyed by people of all ages at gatherings, picnics and parties. The goal of the game is to score points by throwing and landing a bag on the board or putting the bag through the hole. To enjoy a fair competition, it is essential to ensure that the cornhole board are spaced suitably. But, before diving into the specifics of corn hole spacing, you need to understand the basic rules of cornhole and how it is played.
Cornhole is a simple game which is played by both adult and kids. Small bags filled with corn kernels or beans thrown into a raised platform with a hole in it. The goal of the game is to score point by throwing them into that rising platform. You will get on point by landing the bag in the platform and you will score three points if you can put the bag in the hole. It is a game that combines skill, accuracy and a bit if strategy to play. Group of two or four players take turn pitching bags into opposing cornhole platforms. The first team or player to reach 21 points wins.
The distance between two cornhole boards is a critical aspect of the game. Because, if the boards are placed too close together, the game can become too easy for everyone, if that so there will be no excitement to play the game. On the other hand, if the boards are placed far away, it will become extremely difficult for players. In that case people will lose the interest and it will make the game less enjoyable for both adults and kids. So, striking the right balance is the key to enjoy the cornhole game for players of all ages.
If we look back, many have claimed to inventing the cornhole game. In fourteenth century a cabinet maker by the name of Mr. Matthias Kuepermann created the game after watching children toss rocks into groundhog’s hole. He was concerned about the safety of the children, so he designed a safer game for the kids to play. And if you have the question where does the ‘corn’ come into play? During this time corn was utilized often as a weight rather than food. Kuepermann determined a bag of corn was much safer to throw than a stone. Day by day cornhole has grown in popularity. Leading to the establishment of regulations and recommendations for board spacing in organized tournaments. This aim to maintain fairness and consistency in the game. Some rules are not necessary of casual game. But they can serve as a useful guideline for the game.
- American Cornhole Association: The American Cornhole Association is also known as ACA, is one of the most recognized authorities in cornhole. The ACA specifies that the frond edges of the board should be placed 27 feet apart of adults for professional and competitive play. For kids, the distance should be 21 feet apart.
- International Distance: in some part of the world the distance is 8 feet for adults and 6 feet for kids.
If you consider adult gameplay, the regulation distance is 27 feet standard, this distance is looked challenging but achievable for most of the top players and it provides a fair competitive gameplay. At the same time it is important to remember that the game is meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone so you can adjust the distance based on players skill level. So, if you are introducing someone new to the game in a friendly gathering, you can set the boards at a distance of around 20-22 feet. This distance is suitable to enjoy the game and make it more fun to play for new players. If the player is more experienced, you can set the distance for a competitive edge.
If the game is played by the kids, you have to consider their age and skill level. Younger children might struggle if the distance is too long. As mentioned before the ACA recommends the distance 21 feet for kids, you can adjust the distance based on their age and ability. For younger kids you can reduce the distance for 15 feet to make the game more enjoyable for younger kids to play. As the kids grow and develop their skill, you can gradually increase the distance to the standard 27 feet by time.
There are some boards spacing consideration you have to keep in mind before adjust the distance to play the cornhole game. They are discussed below:
- Space Availability: The available playing space can influence the spacing cornhole boards. If you have smaller areas to play the game you have to adjust distance according to that.
- Age and Skill Level: You have to consider the age and skill level of the players. It is important to ensure that everybody got a fair chance to enjoy the game. If the skill of a player is low, you need to adjust the boards according to their skill level.
- Fun Factor: The ultimate goal of the cornhole game is to have fun with everybody. Casual gathering should prioritize enjoyment over strict regulation.
Cornhole game gain popularity over the time. Bars and Pubs across the United States now host regular cornhole tournaments. Some custom cornhole boards are used in weddings and family parties, which makes the game even more enjoyable. It is a versatile and enjoyable game that can be played by people of all ages, staring from kids to adults. All ages of people seem to enjoy the cornhole game. That is why proper spacing of cornhole boards are important to maintain a fair and enjoyable experience for both kids and adults. The regulation exists for competitive play. But they should serve as a guideline rather than strict rules. If you are playing the game on a casual parties, it might make the game less fun to play. You have to remember that the game has grown in popularity because of its portability, easy to understand. You don’t have to be a star athlete to play a good game of Cornhole.
