Tournament to showcase popular backyard game

Published 9:00am 19 September 2024

Words by Ashleigh Howarth

A simple backyard game that has exploded in popularity across the world will take over the Big Fish Tavern in Caboolture next month, with two big days of competition scheduled.

Dozens of interstate competitors are expected to travel to the region to take part in the first ever Caboolture Cornhole 5000, which will be held on October 19 and 20.

Cornhole is played by two or four players attempting to throw square beanbags into the hole of a sloped board to score points.

Organiser Dean Drumm says this will be one of the largest tournaments ever held in Queensland.

“This will be the first time it has been held at Big Fish, but I plan on making it an annual event,” Dean says.

“I have been getting a fair bit of interest from players, with the first few people who have entered coming from Victoria and New South Wales.

“They will be playing for over $5000 in prize money and trophies to take home.

“Anybody can enter, or you can just come down and watch.

“The event will also be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube, so you can also watch at home.”

While cornhole has long been a popular game for Americans, in recent years it has taken the world by storm, including Australia.

“The reason it’s taking off here in Australia is because more people are aware of it due to the coverage of games from America and other major events shown on Kayo and online,” Dean says.

“It’s a lot of fun and very addictive once you start playing.

“If you would like to have a throw, come on down to the Big Fish Tavern every Wednesday night at 6.30pm.”

To join the Caboolture Cornhole 5000, send an email with your details to [email protected]

How to play

Cornhole is a fun, easy-to-learn game played by people of all ages and physical ability.

“It is played with two teams, each consisting of one player (singles) or two players (doubles),” Dean says.

“Players pitch their bags in an underhand motion from the pitcher's box next to each side of the board.

“Players alternate turns tossing their cornhole bags toward the opposite board.

“After each team has pitched four bags, players take score, and resume pitching to the opposite board.

“The team who scored points in the previous inning goes first in the next inning. If it was tied, the team who went first in the last inning gets to go first again.

“A cornhole bag that goes through the hole is worth three points, whereas a bag that lands on the board and stays there is worth one point. If it bounces off the board or lands on the ground, you get no points.

“Cornhole uses cancellation scoring, meaning you receive the points you score, minus your opponent’s points. For example, if team A throws one bag in the hole and lands one on the board, and team B lands only one bag on the board, the score for that round is three for team A.

“The first team to reach 21 points wins.”