Cornhole is one of the fastest-growing outdoor games in Europe and the UK. Yet in search engines and on social media, you’ll see a lot of different spellings. Variants such as corn hole, cornholl, Corn Hol, Cornhall, corn hall, “Corn Spel” and terms like bean bag appear frequently—but they’re not the official name.
On this page we explain why there are so many variants, what the correct spelling is, which names are used across Europe and why it’s worth sticking to the official name.
If you’d first like to understand the game itself, have a look at: What is Cornhole?
What is Cornhole?
Cornhole is a tossing game where players throw small fabric bags—traditionally filled with maize, and nowadays often with plastic pellets—towards a slanted wooden board with a round hole near the top. You score points when bags land and stay on the board, and more points when they go through the hole.
The game originates from the United States and has evolved from a casual garden game into a recognised sport with leagues, tournaments and official rules. The official, globally used name is Cornhole.
You can find a full overview of the rules on: Cornhole rules.
Why is Cornhole so often spelt incorrectly?
Many variants such as corn hole, cornholl, Corn Hol, Cornhall, corn hall, “Corn Spel” or “bean bag game” have appeared for a few simple reasons:
1. The game is still relatively new in Europe and the UK
Because Cornhole is still a fairly new game here, many people don’t know the official name and instead search with generic terms such as:
- “corn hole game”
- “cornholl game”
- “corn board game with bags”
- “bean bag game”
- “throwing game with bags”
As a result, search engines fill up with incorrect spellings, even though people are almost always looking for Cornhole.
2. Literal translation and splitting the word
Many people split the word into “corn” and “hole”, because the name is originally English. This leads to forms like corn hole, Corn Hol or corn hall. Occasionally you’ll even see Cornhall, which looks more like the name of a place.
3. Mixing it up with bean bag games
In English, a variety of games with small bags are referred to as bean bag games. That’s why people search for terms such as “bean bag cornhole” or “bean bag board” and end up calling Cornhole simply a “bean bag game”. While related, the official sport name remains Cornhole.
The most common Cornhole spelling mistakes
Here’s an overview of the most frequent variants and why they are incorrect or confusing:
| Incorrect spelling | Why it’s incorrect or misleading |
|---|---|
| corn hole | Splits the word; looks logical, but it is not the official name. |
| cornholl | A phonetic variant, usually from pronunciation or fast typing. |
| Corn Hol | Incorrect capitalisation and spacing; not a recognised spelling. |
| Cornhall | Looks like a place name; changes the meaning completely. |
| corn hall | Sounds more like a building than a game. |
| Corn Spel | Loose translation; it doesn’t clearly indicate the game Cornhole. |
| bean bag | A generic term for bag games; Cornhole is a specific sport variant. |
The only correct and internationally recognised spelling is: Cornhole.
Cornhole in Europe: different names
Although the official name is Cornhole, you’ll find different local names across Europe. As the game spreads, each language tends to adopt its own label.
| Country / Region | Common name |
|---|---|
| Germany | Sackloch / Cornhole |
| France | Jeu de sacs / Cornhole |
| Belgium & Netherlands | Zakgooien / Cornhole |
| Scandinavia | Corn Toss / Cornhole |
| United Kingdom | Cornhole (most used) |
Regardless of local terms, Cornhole is increasingly used as the standard name in Europe, particularly for tournaments, federations and specialist shops.
Cornhole in a nutshell: how to play
The basic rules of Cornhole are very easy to learn:
- You play with two Cornhole boards and eight bags (usually four of each colour).
- The boards are placed opposite each other at a set distance.
- Players take turns throwing their bags towards the opposite board.
- A bag on the board scores points; a bag through the hole scores more points.
- The difference in points per round is added to the total. The first player or team to reach the target score wins.
All official measurements, scoring and rule variations can be found on: Cornhole rules.
Why the correct name “Cornhole” matters
Using the correct spelling has several benefits—for players, event organisers and shops:
- Professional image: clubs, tournaments and brands across the world use the same name.
- Online visibility: people searching for Cornhole will find accurate information and products more easily.
- Clarity: a single clear term avoids confusion with other bean bag games.
If you organise events or run a webshop, it’s a good idea to consistently use Cornhole, and perhaps mention once that people also search for corn hole, cornholl or Cornhall, so that search engines understand the connection without you looking spammy.
Buy Cornhole: official boards, sets and bags
Wicked Wood Games is a Cornhole specialist in Europe. We provide robust, high-quality Cornhole equipment, perfect for garden parties, team-building days or serious league play.
- Browse our complete Cornhole sets – two boards and matching bags so you can start playing straight away.
- Looking for separate bags or competition-grade equipment? Have a look at our Cornhole bags.
- Want to learn more about the game itself? Visit What is Cornhole?.
- Planning to play by the book? Check the Cornhole rules.
FAQ: spelling, naming and Cornhole products
1. Is it Cornhole or Corn Hole?
The correct spelling is Cornhole, as one word. Variants with a space such as corn hole or Corn Hol are incorrect, even though they appear frequently online.
2. Where does the name Cornhole come from?
The name comes from the original filling of the bags (maize, or “corn”) and the hole (“hole”) in the board that you try to throw the bags through. Combined, that gives Cornhole.
3. Why do I see spellings like “cornholl” or “Cornhall”?
These are phonetic variants or typos. People write the word as it sounds and end up with cornholl or Cornhall. They usually mean Cornhole, but those spellings are not official.
4. Does Cornhole have different names in Europe?
Yes. Some languages use local names such as “Sackloch” in Germany, “Jeu de sacs” in France or “Zakgooien” in the Netherlands. Even so, the international name Cornhole is increasingly used, especially for clubs and tournaments.
5. Is Cornhole the same as a bean bag game?
Cornhole is a specific type of bean bag game. All Cornhole games use bags, but not all bag games follow the official Cornhole board size, bag specs and rules.
6. Are names like Corn Spel, corn hall or Corn Hol official?
No. These are loose translations or misunderstandings. Terms such as Corn Spel, corn hall or Corn Hol show up in searches, but the official name remains Cornhole.
7. Why is the correct Cornhole spelling important for SEO?
Search engines recognise Cornhole as the standard term. If you use the correct spelling consistently and briefly mention that people also search for corn hole, cornholl or Cornhall, your page will rank better without looking like keyword spam.
8. Which spelling should I use on my webshop or event page?
Always use Cornhole. You can mention that people sometimes type variants such as corn hole or “bean bag game”, but they shouldn’t be your primary keywords.
9. What’s the difference between Cornhole bags and regular bean bags?
Official Cornhole bags have standardised size, weight and often specific fabrics—such as dual-sided bags with a slick side and a slower, more grippy side. Regular bean bags can vary a lot and are not always suitable for proper Cornhole play. Have a look at our Cornhole bags for game-ready options.
10. Where can I buy official Cornhole sets and bags?
At Wicked Wood Games you can buy complete Cornhole sets as well as individual Cornhole bags. Our products are designed to be durable and to offer great gameplay, whether you’re having fun in the garden or playing in a league.
11. What are the basic rules of Cornhole?
In short: players take turns throwing bags at the opponent’s board, scoring points for bags on the board and through the hole, usually playing to an agreed target score. Full rules are available on Cornhole rules.
12. Is Cornhole suitable for children and corporate events?
Yes. Cornhole is ideal for families, children’s parties, corporate events and summer gatherings. The rules are simple, physical impact is low, and the game quickly creates a fun yet competitive atmosphere. With a good Cornhole set you’re ready for almost any occasion.
Cornhole is growing in Europe and the UK – get involved!
From festivals and campsites to sports clubs and office socials, Cornhole is becoming increasingly popular across Europe and in the UK. Using the correct name helps the sport build a strong and recognisable identity.
Want to experience for yourself why Cornhole is so popular?
- Find out more on What is Cornhole?
- Read all the details on Cornhole rules
- Get started with our Cornhole sets
- Upgrade your game with official Cornhole bags
