Last night, I competed in singles competitive cornhole. I didn’t play against any pros, but I faced some solid players, along with others who were at or close to my level. Going into the night, I had the lowest SPR at 46, but I wasn’t there just to compete against everyone else. I was there to challenge myself, improve my game, and see how far my practice has taken me.
Overall, I had a good night of cornhole. During rounders, I finished with a 7.37 PPR, including two games where I averaged an impressive 8.50 PPR. I also threw three four-baggers, which was a great feeling. In bracket play, I added another three four-baggers, making it probably the most four-baggers I’ve thrown in a single night. That’s something I’m proud of, especially as I continue to develop my game and become more comfortable on the boards.
My overall numbers weren’t quite where I wanted them to be, though. I was aiming to finish above a 7.00 PPR, but I ended the night at 6.93 PPR across 87 rounds and eight games. My record was three wins and five losses. While I would have liked to see that overall PPR come in higher, I’m not going to let the numbers take away from the positives. There was a lot to be proud of, and I’m choosing to look at last night as a great night of growth.
Bracket play brought some challenges. I came close to reaching the king seat, but I couldn’t quite get it done. Winning that game would have put me in the finals, so that was one match where the result definitely mattered to me. I had some tough games where I struggled to find my rhythm, and I know there were opportunities to score more consistently. Still, I was happy with how I handled myself and how I continued to compete, even when things weren’t going my way.
One of the biggest takeaways from the night was the progress I made mentally. I’m learning how to tell myself that every game is just another game and that feeling nervous is completely normal. Instead of fighting those nerves, I’m learning to accept them and keep throwing. That might not show up directly in my PPR, but it’s an important part of becoming a better competitor. The more comfortable I become in competitive situations, the more I can trust my game and focus on the next bag instead of worrying about the outcome.
Another lesson I reminded myself of is that throwing a four-bagger isn’t enough on its own. Of course, four-baggers are exciting, and I’m proud of the six I threw throughout the night. But consistency and scoring are what really matter. I can have a great round with four bags in the hole, but I also need to focus on putting together solid rounds throughout an entire game. I want to become the kind of player who can consistently score, not just someone who can put together a few big rounds. Those two 8.50 PPR games showed me what I’m capable of, and now the challenge is to bring that level of play into more of my games.
I also learned more about how I want to approach certain shots. There was a point where I went for an airmail, and although it didn’t work out particularly well, I was okay with taking the shot. Sometimes you have to trust your judgment and learn from the result. At the same time, I know I need to improve my decision-making when there’s a bag sitting in front of the hole and blocking my path. Rather than trying to force a shot straight through, I want to practice throwing more to the right of the blocking bag and learning how to cut around it. Having more confidence and control with that shot could help me turn difficult situations into scoring opportunities.
My blocking game is another area I want to work on. Interestingly, some of my best rounds came when I unintentionally left a block that worked in my favor. The game that would have sent me to the king seat was a good example of that. It reminded me how effective a well-placed block can be and how important it is to think about the opponent’s options, not just my own next shot. I need to get better at recognizing when a block makes sense, placing it intentionally, and making my opponent work for a scoring opportunity instead of giving them an easy lane to the hole.
As for my bags, I threw my Reynolds Thunder bags throughout most of the night. Overall, they played well, and I enjoyed using them. They felt consistent, and I was comfortable with how they performed. However, in some games, especially when I was trying to push and collect bags, I noticed that they tended to bunch up quite a bit. They’re getting to the point where they feel a little too loose and floppy, although they’re still manageable. They were also getting dirty, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Despite those observations, I felt good throwing them and was happy with their overall performance.
I believe I also played one game with my Warthogs, and they performed about as I expected. One thing I like about them is that they stay cleaner, and the fill inside helps them land softly on the board. I enjoy that feel, and it’s nice having another bag option that plays a little differently. I’ll continue paying attention to how both sets perform in different situations, especially when I’m working on pushes, collects, and blocks.
Something else I’m proud of is how I fought my way back in several games. I tend to struggle with scoring quickly during the first two or three rounds, which can put me behind early. That happened again last night, but I was able to settle in, find my rhythm, and work my way back into games. I still want to improve those opening rounds so I’m not constantly playing catch-up, but it was encouraging to see that I could recover instead of letting a slow start get into my head.
At the end of the night, I walked away feeling proud of how I played and, more importantly, how I felt while competing. I’m becoming more comfortable in competitive settings, learning to manage my nerves, and starting to see the results of the work I’ve been putting into practice. Six four-baggers, two games at an 8.50 PPR, and the ability to battle back after slow starts are all positives I can build on. Even though I didn’t reach my overall PPR goal or make it to the finals, I gained valuable experience that I can take into my next competition.
I’m glad I went out and threw last night. The wins and losses matter to a degree, especially when you’re one game away from reaching the finals, but they don’t tell the whole story. Sometimes the biggest victories come from what you learn about yourself and your game. Last night, I learned that I can compete through my nerves, recover from difficult starts, and trust the progress I’m making. My practice is starting to come together, and those two 8.50 PPR games reminded me that the potential is there.
Now it’s time to keep working. I want to improve my consistency, start games stronger, develop my blocking game, and become more confident working around bags that are in my way. I’ll keep learning what my Reynolds Thunder and Warthogs can do for me and continue building the mental side of my game. I may not have reached every goal last night, but I left with more confidence, more experience, and plenty to work on.
The goal isn’t just to throw a four-bagger. It’s to become a more consistent player, make smarter decisions, and keep improving one round at a time. And after last night, I feel like I’m moving in the right direction...for now.
