Cornhole

Best with 2-4 throwers

Traditionally this game is played to exactly 21, but can be played just as easily to “X”. What sets this game apart is the unique scoring method. After one player from each team throws, the lower score is subtracted from the higher score, and the difference is awarded to the team with the higher scoring throw.

For example: Steve gets a 6, Sally gets a 1; Steve is awarded 5 points (6 minus 1).

Notes:

• Matchups matter! Players with similar skill levels will score similar points, making the game progress more slowly/competitively
• It matters who throws first, since there is a point subtraction involved. Traditionally, whichever player or team scored most recently throws first (even if they have a lower point total). It is recommended to switch who throws first each turn.

Around the World

2-12 throwers

Each team must hit every number on the board from low to high, in order, and then again in reverse, in reverse order. In other words, each team must hit a 1, 2, 3, 4, B, 4, 3, 2, 1, K. First team to complete the loop wins.

Humans vs Zombies

4-12 throwers

Similar to Cornhole, Humans vs Zombies is played via the difference in scores between throwers. The objective for the human team is to reach +15 points and the zombies want to reach -15 points. The humans always generate points in the positive direction and zombies in the negative direction (ex. Humans hit 3, Zombies hit 6, the difference is 3 in the negative direction and the zombies now have -3 points).

Horse

2-4 throwers

Players from competing teams throw head to head. The lower cumulative score total receives a letter. The first team to have HORSE spelled out loses. Ties result in 1 additional overtime throw. If the score is still tied after overtime, no letters are awarded and the next 2 throwers step up.

Variants:

Closer to Horse

• The second thrower needs to match the point value of the first thrower, rather than beat it. If the second thrower fails to match the point value of the first thrower, they get a letter. If They succeed in matching it then no letters are awarded, and it becomes the second thrower’s turn to throw first.

Closest to Horse

• The first thrower must call the point value they are aiming at (or even more specific spatially, if they’d like [ex. 3 on the left half of the target]). If they hit what they called, their opponent must stick the same throw, or else they get a letter. If their opponent sticks the throw then no letters are awarded, and the lead throw switches teams.

Landmines

2-12 throwers

Teams start at 0 points and play to 50. The landmine numbers are set along the way at 10, 20, 30, 40 (You can change these numbers but make sure they all have the same final digit. (ex. 15, 25, 35, 45). Landing on a landmine sends the thrower’s team back by 10 points from the number they started at (ex. Starting at 23 and hitting a landmine sends the team to 13). Landmines are common to both teams. Once a landmine is hit, it is safe to hit for the rest of the game (like real landmines, they can only blow up once!).

Baseball

Best with 4-8 throwers

Each “inning” is comprised of one team “batting” and the other “fielding,” and then vice versa. Players cycle through their rotation so that the same “pitcher” and “batter” throw against each other until the batter is out or gets on base.

The pitcher always throws first, always aiming for a bullseye. The batter throws second, attempting to beat the score of the pitcher. This results in three possible scenarios:

• The pitcher has the high score – the batter is out. Both the pitcher and batter rotate out, the next 2 throwers step up
• The batter has the high score – The batter advances the number of bases that is the difference between the scores (*bullseyes count as 5 points in this game). This advances any other runners already on base the same number of bases. This concludes the turn, the next two throwers step up.
  • Example 1: There is a runner on 2nd base, pitcher throws a 2, batter throws a 3. The batter “hits a single” and goes to 1st base, the runner on 2nd base advances to 3rd base.
  • Example 2: There are runners on 1st base and 3rd base. The pitcher throws a 3, the batter throws a bullseye (5 points). The batter “hits a double” and goes to 2nd base, the runner on 1st base advances to 3rd base, and the runner on 3rd base comes home and scores a run.
• The batter ties the score of the pitcher – This counts as a strike, both players throw again. If this happens three times in a row the batter is out, and the next two throwers step up.

Notes:

• This game is not for everyone! It can go very quickly or be extremely tedious. Exercise good judgment when deciding whether to play this game or not with a group, and don’t commit to too many innings (3 is generally a good place to start, you can always add extra innings from there).