The Best Cornhole

Buying Guide

Cornhole can be a pretty serious game for some players, and the official governing body here in the U.S. is the American Cornhole Association. There are rules, tournaments and official gear. Casual players enjoy playing the game inside or outside, and it makes for some fun, friendly competition.

Cornhole games can be bought in sets, or the pieces can be purchased separately. Kits usually include the boards, beanbags, rules and carrying cases. You can find tabletop boards, beach-friendly boards, wood, fiberboard and fabric.

Regulation-sized cornhole boards measure 4 feet by 2 feet, and tailgating cornhole boards measure 3 feet by 2 feet. They can be quite heavy, especially if made from solid wood. The holes on regulation boards measure 6 inches. Regulation beanbags measure 6 inches by 6 inches and weigh 1 pound each.

There is nothing like playing with regulation-size cornhole board and cornhole bags, but it may not be worth the investment if you are not that serious. It might make more sense to start with a smaller, more inexpensive version first and upgrade if your friends and family are becoming serious players.

• Determine how you want to use the cornhole set. If it is for professional-level play, you will want to choose a top-quality set.
• Playing occasionally with friends and family is a different story; find one that is well-made enough to make it enjoyable.
• If young children will be playing, look for cornhole sets that are smaller, otherwise, the kids may become frustrated.
• You may see that some cornhole boards are made with “MDF.” This stands for medium-density fiberboard.
• If you want your cornhole boards to last longer, do not leave them outside for too long. They are weather-resistant, not weatherproof. Remember, they can be large and heavy, so make sure you have somewhere to store them.
• If you do not have a lot of storage space, look for foldable boards.