Sometimes is fun to mix things up a little. The same holds true for Cornhole! As the third of three guest blog articles from tednwv, we’re featuring Alternate Cornhole Games. These “Carnival Games” or “Skill Games” are often played by people in the downtime between their official rounds. They are a great way to help break up the day, and they’re quick and easy – so they don’t cut into your tournament play either! We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular alternate cornhole games that you might find yourself playing at a tournament. Enjoy!
Skill Games: Alternate Cornhole Games
7/21
- OBJECT: Closes score to 21 after tossing 7 bags wins. 21 is the max points to get if you sink all 7 bags in the hole.
- RULES: Players will get 7 cornhole bags. Player will toss bags from behind a line which is marked off 33’ 6” from center of hole on cornhole board. Player will pitch all 7 bags, trying to score as many points as possible.
- SCORING: 1 point for bag on board and 3 points for cornholes. Perfect game is 7 for 7 (21 points). Hence the name 7/21.
- GAME PLAY: You can play this by rounds of 5, 8, 10 or how many ever players you decide. The top 3 in the 1st round of a 5 person game advances to the next round. Second round, one person will be eliminated leaving 2 people to play for championship in round 3. Similar to Home Run Derby in baseball. Only so many players can advance from one round to the next. It can even be played as the highest points for the whole day! When people get time to come over and play, they throw their 7 bags and keep a bulletin board near the playing area with the totals right there. Tie’s will have to have a tie breaker or throw off.
- A normal fee for this is $5 or $10. You can split the pot so winner get’s half or winner takes all.
Air Mail
- OBJECT: Make as many “air mails” as possible pitching eight total bags.
- RULES: Player starts with eight bags and pitches them from 33’ 6” away at the air mail box. Player making the most out of eight bags is crowned the champion and get’s the money! You can also play this by rounds.
- A normal fee for this is $5 or $10. You can split the pot so winner gets half or do a winner takes all.
- ALTERNATE: A little different version with four throwing lines. 33ft.=4 pts. 30ft=3 pts. 27ft=2 pts. and 24ft=1 pt
High Score
- OBJECT: Highest score wins.
- RULES: Throw 10 bags (or less or more? up to you again). Whoever has the highest score wins! This can be done every 15 minutes or so with a small donation. Or it can be done as highest total for the day. The most points from throwing 10 bags will get the money. Playoff for tie breakers.
- NOTES: The key is to not make it extremely expensive to play so people will play several times throughout the day. You can even charge a $1! Or if you have a sponsor, make it FREE to play and winner get’s “blah, blah, blah from Joe Schmo Incorporated.”
Cornhole13
- OBJECT: Make 13 cornholes faster than any other player.
- RULES: Players will play as individuals. Each player will have 4 bags to pitch. Space boards 27′ apart (front to front). Have a stop clock ready.
- GAME PLAY: Players run back and forth trying to make cornholes as quick as possible. Players compete to have the day’s best overall time. The player with the best time will be the official winner of the game.
- OPTIONAL: This can also be done like a drag race. Have 2 players going at once. The first one to make 13 cornholes wins and advances.
- OPTIONAL: You can even change it to where players are going for 13 points instead of cornholes. Maybe even try to 21? Possibilities are endless!
- A normal fee for this is $5 or $10. You can split the pot so winner gets half or do a winner takes all.
- ALTERNATE: Let everyone throw for two minutes and thriteen seconds. Keep track of the highest scores, 13 being the cut off even if time is lef. At the end of the day have the players with the top four scores compete for two minutes and thirteen seconds at the same time to see who can score the most cornholes in the alloted time.
Long Toss
- OBJECT: Pretty self explanatory. Longest toss in the hole wins!
- RULES: However you want. Start with close boards and give people several bags. Anyone who tosses a bag in the hole moves on to the next round.
More?
We’ve listed a few games, but I’m sure there are a bunch we’ve missed! What are your favorite games to play? Do you play any of these, only a bit different? Please let us know! Use the comment box below to share your thoughts.
Guest article by Ted Dillon, Cornhole Forum member “tednwv“.Edited by Jeremy. Add’l information gathered in the Cornhole Players Forum.
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- One Hole Washers Game — "In a Nutshell"
- Ladder Toss Game — "In a Nutshell"
- Washer Players Could Learn from Cornhole Players
- Throwing Together A Cornhole Tournament
- Different Types of Touraments
