7 Cornhole Drinking Games for Backyard Entertainment

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Among the vast array of classic backyard games, cornhole holds a special place in our hearts. There is something satisfying about the simple act of throwing a bean bag through a hole in a board.

And what’s also satisfying is having a nice cold beer in your other hand as you throw, especially on a warm summer’s day.

Cornhole itself isn’t a drinking game. In fact, it’s quite a serious game that some even consider a professional sport. But that doesn’t mean we can’t tailor this game such that it becomes a fun drinking game.

Below, you will find seven of the best cornhole drinking games around, tried, tested, and approved by yours truly. Play one of these games, and your backyard barbeques will be the stuff of legend!

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If you haven’t played cornhole for a while, read through my cornhole rules guide for a refresher. And for a bit of secret practice, check out my guide explaining the best cornhole bag throwing technique to be better prepared for your next game.

1. Drink As You Go

This cornhole drinking game keeps you and your mates drinking as you play, and how it works is simple enough. When a team scores a hole-in-one, the opposing team must take a sip. The game can’t continue until they drink.

Cornhole game

You might think this isn’t much different from sipping a beer on the side as you play a game of regular cornhole. However, skilled players can force their opponents to drink more and faster. More drinks means worse hand-eye coordination and a better chance for your team to win.

That said, this game is most suitable for beginner players who are less likely to score holes in one. Otherwise, you know…

2. Knock the Bag

This cornhole drinking game is similar to the previous one, but instead of drinking after your opponent scores a hole-in-one, you drink when your opponent knocks one of your bags off the board.

This adds a fun element to a regular game of cornhole, but it’s best to combine this game with one of the other games on this list to avoid players solely focusing on tossing other bags off the board!

3. Losing Team Drinks

This is a basic cornhole drinking game that doesn’t require too much brainpower. Simply play through a regular game of cornhole, and when a winner emerges, the other team gets to drink.

Cornhole equipment

Once a game is completed, calculate the total points for each team. Then, the losing team takes one drink for each point they fall short. For example, if the winner has 21 points and the losing team has 15, then the losers have to take six drinks (21 – 15 = 6), shared amongst the players in the team.

Depending on the intensity of the game and crew, you can decide whether you’re doing sips, shots, or full drinks. The points do add up, so don’t blame me when you’re face-down in the dirt after the first match!

4. Raise the Stakes

Everyone likes a friendly bet now and then, right? Well, Raise the Stakes is a fun twist on cornhole that satisfies the inner gambler in all of us.

This game is pretty straightforward to play. Gather both teams and decide on how many drinks you want to wager before the game starts. Once it’s been decided, simply play through a regular game of cornhole.

Once the game finishes, the losers of the match have to take the number of drinks they wagered at the start of the game. When you’ve already got a beer in your hand as you toss the sack, those extra drinks at the end are a doozy.

5. Round of Shots

After a regular cornhole match ends, everyone takes one drink, followed by a special mini round of cornhole.

Cornhole in action

In this extra round, the Round of Shots, both teams need to throw three bags each. The team that loses in this mini-round will need to drink one shot before continuing to the next regular match.

Of course, it doesn’t need to be shots; you can also choose beer for this game if you prefer. It just adds another element of fun to each round of cornhole.

6. Holes-in-One Race

This cornhole drinking game is similar to the first one on the list, but the main difference is that this is not a regular cornhole game with normal point scoring.

Instead, this is a race to the most holes in one. Each team throws 20 bags onto the board with the aim of scoring a hole-in-one. The team with the most holes-in-one wins, and the losing team gets to drink; either shots or beers.

7. Drinks for Fouls

Now, this one can be a bit cruel for the cornhole-uninitiated. As you might be able to tell by the name, Drinks for Fouls involves taking a drink every time you mess up a throw, like not landing on the board.

And you know what that means? Each time you take a drink, you’re more likely to mess up again, leading to more mistakes and more drinks.

This game is best played after a couple of practice rounds. Otherwise, your whole party might be hammered before the first game ends.

As you can tell, this list of cornhole drinking games can go on and on. With a bit of creativity, there are endless variations to come up with.

But keep in mind that this is about having fun. Don’t overdo it, be sure to have breaks in between games, and drink enough water throughout the party.

 
 

7 Fun cornhole drinking games for the backyard

 

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Author:

Thomas Dunnett

The backyard is the perfect place to bond with family and friends or to simply relax with a bit of sunshine and some fresh air. I've been passionate about the backyard lifestyle ever since my childhood, and with this website, I hope to share that passion with you.

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