If you ask us, a game of cornhole is already a blast. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add your unique spin to a game of cornhole to spice things up. Here are some quick ways you can make games more intriguing:

1. Adjust the distance between boards. Some people attach a 27’ string to their boards so it’s easy to measure the standard distance. And there’s nothing wrong with this. But if you want to spice up a game and increase the difficulty factor, adding some distance between the two makes for a higher-stakes game.

2. Make the surface extra slick.

Some people ignore the surface of their cornhole boards. Ideally, a cornhole board is smooth and sanded, giving plenty of slip to the cornhole bags. This makes the game even trickier. It makes for a nice rule of thumb: the slicker the board is, the more slip there is, which can change the strategy of every toss.

How do you make it extra slick? In addition to sanding down the surface, you can finish it with a coat of polyurethane, also known as poly. (Keep in mind, however, that an oil-based solution will take longer to dry, which means you’ll want to do this well in advance of using the board).

3. Put something on the line.

We won’t deny it: in the hands of adults of age who are drinking responsibly, a game of cornhole can fast become an entertaining drinking game. But that’s not the only way you can spice up a game of cornhole.

You can add all sorts of elements to the competition to make each game count more:

• Create a tournament. If you have a lot of time to pass on your next tailgating party, consider creating a tournament with a first prize for the winner. This way, each game has something riding on it.
• Buy a scoreboard. There’s a little extra energy when you can physically see your score tally. It adds something to the competition and makes everything feel a little bit more official.
• Add foul lines. There are specific rules to cornhole. This leaves you with a decision: does sticking to the rules of “official” fair play make the games more competitive and fun? Or do you prefer a loose, casual approach? If it’s the former, adding foul lines is one way to make things more interesting.

4. Play with teams.

As we explain in our guide, “How to Set Up and Play Cornhole ,” there are two ways you can play this sport: as individuals, or in teams of pairs. Feel free to pick whichever version you like. However, if there’s anyone self-conscious about their skills, it’s a good idea to pick pairs, because they won’t feel as if they’re being singled out for lacking experience with the game.

5. Add stakes to the rules of cornhole.

Typically, the aim of the game is to get to 21 points or higher. There are two variants here you can use to spice up the competition:

• Play to exactly 21. If one team gets to 22 points or more, they can “bust,” reverting back to the score they had at the beginning of the round. This forces a team to use more creativity to get the exact amount of points they need.
• Play to 5 points. This is a version of “sudden death” cornhole that’s great if you don’t have a lot of time. If you play to exactly 5 points, you’ll quickly be in the “final round” of cornhole, which lends a lot of fun and intrigue to each toss.

Want other great ways to spice up a game of cornhole? Make it your own by browsing the bags and boards available here at All American Tailgate.