If you are just starting out in the wonderful sport then you must have some questions about Cornhole and about the board that you are going to get.
So without any delay let’s get started on things you should know about Cornhole Boards before buying.
What To Look For:
It is an habit to go for the cheapest option available to us but that can also mean bad wood/plywood and having a tough time to play the game. If you are tight on budget you can build your own corn hole boards.
They are not that difficult to build and to enjoy at home with families and are a good option.
Now the type of board you need depends on the level you play, as this game can range from enjoying in your lawn with family to playing in professional leagues and competing on international level in cornhole tournaments.
Different Levels Of Cornhole Players
The sport has become popular enough that it now warrants different levels of players and rightfully. Cornhole is just too much fun and can be played and enjoyed in different scenarios.
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[su_spoiler title=”Beginner/Enjoyer” style=”fancy”]
A enjoyer or a beginner is basically who plays this in his lawn or in a bar after few beers with his buddies. They don’t care if they are good or not or maybe they think they are but they don’t take it seriously. They play it just for fun and challenges among friends. They also enjoy playing it with there kids or family members over the weekend as a great family activity.
They are decent pitchers and can get good at it overtime.
Maybe he was really good at ring toss when he was kid? And now has transferred his skills over to corn toss.
If you are a beginner or enjoyer you probably don’t have too many requirements and can get something cheap and well built to play in your backyard. All you really need are some bags and a board to start playing or just a decent cornhole set.
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[su_spoiler title=”Intermediate” style=”fancy”]
He is the guy who comes into the bar and shocks everyone with his cornhole skills. Maybe he wants to go pro or maybe they are just good at it and like keep getting better at it.
They like it so much that they are probably playing and practicing every single day. They might be thinking of going PRO but maybe they are busy and don’t want to. For them they need something that is ACA( American Cornhole Association ) approved and provides the right bounce, slide etc.
There pitching is very good, and it keeps getting better as they continue to play.
These are the guys you have to watch out for when playing a quick game of tailgate toss.
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[su_spoiler title=”Professional Players” style=”fancy”]
These are the guys who are researching every rule book, every update and anything related to cornhole to help them get better. They know a lot about there bean bags and playing techniques then they will like to admit.
They also travel all over the country taking part in various cornhole competitions. They love this sport, and are ready to play bag toss on a professional level with immense knowledge.
They probably have there own personal choice of boards or they know enough to not be researching but be able to make the decision on there own. Just incase they don’t know they need a ACA brand approved board that is straight forward regulation bag toss.
To a normal joe the sport of throwing a cornhole bag of beans might look very simple but for some it is an intricate art that they love and practice. The only point of difference between all three groups is how much they are ready to pay for there cornhole board.
They are the best pitchers you will come across.
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A enjoyer can just buy the cheapest non branded one or even build himself one while a pro will go for regulated board. Let’s look into what the board should be like.
Buying:
When buying a cornhole or a bag toss board there are certain requirements or certifications that you need to look out for. This ensures that you are getting a good quality board and that it is regulated with rules.
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[su_spoiler title=”Size” style=”fancy”]
The size has to be well regulated because in each match there are 2 boards, if either one of them is too big or too small it can throw off the entire game and make it unfair for one team/player.
Regulated Cornhole boards are 4×2 feet or 48″ x 24″ there entire surface. While the front of the board is sticking to the ground it is only 2-1/2 to 4 inches tall whereas the backside of the board is 12 inches in the air.
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Regulated boards are built from 1/2 inch plywood. This is regulated by ACA to ensure minimal bounce and slips while playing. When you are searching online you are definitely going to come across boards that are not made of this and are instead either plastic or some other material.
Other materials can cause the gameplay to change quite a lot and this is a major concern among players as if the board is not similar the entire gameplay has to be changed according to the board.
In some cases plastic boards can be fine but they are mostly avoided as they are not appreciated by the ACA. For regulation gameplay it is always a good idea to go with boards that are in ACA compliance and are made from half inch ply wood.
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ACA requires that they are no open gaps on the sides in the construction of the board, as this can lead to bags sliding off or being stuck in it. Which is why the only area open on the board should be the gap or the hole through which the bag falls under and nothing else.
Another reason for this rule is because when the bag is sliding off the sides, it can get stuck in the gaps and that can lead to an unfair point. This results in unfair game and is not at all fun.
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The surface is the key part of the game as this is where the bag either bounces off, slides off or falls flat. For it to land in a fair manner on the cornhole the entire surface has to be smooth. The surface has to be sanded to a smooth surface to be ACA compliant.
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The white color is preferred during professional bag toss matches but if you are getting one for your home you can paint it whatever you like or get it custom decal. If you do want to be compliant then they have certain colors other then white that are permitted.
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Different Custom Cornhole Boards
Since the basic design of the board is quite simple it can be customized to various colleges or teams. There are no regulations on the design aspect so you can be creative and design it however you like.
If it is for your family lawn you can custom it to your family name, or if it is for a professional team and you plan to use it while tailgating then they can put there logo or mascot on it.
This is much easier to do if you are building it yourself.