What is the difference between Cornhole and the game Bags?
Here at Minte Sports we have played these games a lot. Some people call it Corntoss, Bean Bag, Bean Toss, Indiana Horseshoes, Cornhole, and we've always called it Bags.
In actuality, all these games are almost identical, but there are also some subtle differences that make some of them unique. Here at Minte Sports, we recognize & promote both Bags and Cornhole, and the rules associated with both sports.
Cornhole has been around for some time now, but the true origin of the game is still open for debate. Many argue the game originated on a farm in Kentucky, while others argue the game originated in Western Cincinnati. The game of Cornhole consists of two 4x2 boards with a 6in hole, as well as eight bags, four in each color. The game can be played in teams or singles. When Cornhole is played with teams, partners stand at opposite ends from each other. The bags start out on one end, and one of the partners throws the bag, trying to either land it on the board or make it in the hole. A player receives one point for landing the bag on the board, and three points for making the bag in the hole. The game continues by the opponent throwing next, and the two continue to alternate shots until all eight bags are thrown. The score shall be taken after all the bags have been thrown for that round. The team with the highest score adds the difference of the two scores to their game score. The next round begins on the other side, as the team who earned honors by scoring in the last round shoots first. First team to 21 or more points wins the game. (See official Cornhole Rules)
The game of Bags has a somewhat ambiguous history as well. The majority of people maintain that the game of Bags originated in the great city of Chicago, in and around Wrigleyville. Bags has the same set-up as Cornhole, with two 4x2 boards with a 6in. hole, and eight bags of each color. Bags can also be played in teams or singles. Game play is the same as Cornhole, as partners stand on opposite side, and alternate shots until all 8 bags are thrown. A player receives one point for landing the bag on the board, and three points for making the bag in the hole. The team with the highest score adds the difference of the two scores to their game score. The next round begins on the other side, as the team who earned honors by scoring in the last round shoots first.
Unlike Cornhole, Bags requires the winning team to score EXACTLY 21 points, without going over. If a team has 20 points and makes a bag in the hole, they have gone over 21 points. Any time a team goes over 21 points, they automatically go back to 15 points. The team who went over shoots first, as they are the team who earned honors by scoring last. The game continues until one team reaches exactly 21 at the end of a round. (See Bags Rules)
By teams having to score exactly 21, it makes the game more challenging at the end, and forces teams to have more discretion in their toss than the “go straight for the hole” strategy. Often times, it makes a game more competitive, as the winning team will struggle to get exactly 21 points, while the losing team continues to gain ground. This can lead to a lengthy & competitive match, where the best team is the team which can close the game.
Here at Minte Sports, we love both Bags & Cornhole, and are happy to promote both games.
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