Football Squares Rules: Ultimate Guide Explained

Football Square Pools is one of the most popular forms of football betting to play in, especially during the Super Bowl. What makes Football Square Pools so popular is that anyone can play, regardless of football knowledge. 

As mentioned it is a very popular Super Bowl game for this reason, as the Football Square Pools allow for more friends and family members to play as opposed to a gaming style that requires research. 

What Are Super Bowl Squares? The Rules

The rules for Football Squares Pools, or Super Bowl Squares, are pretty simple – another reason for the game’s popularity. In a nutshell, you are picking one or more squares from a given 10 by 10 grid. Typically, there are four winners per game with a winner at the end of each quarter. Let’s go through it in more detail below, with the given visual as well.

1. Start with a 10 by 10 grid

The example above is a 10 by 10 grid, with the numbers 0 through 9 going both vertically and horizontally. The vertical numbers are ‘columns’ while the horizontal numbers are ‘rows’. Depending on your pool rules, numbers 0 through 9 might not be assigned until all squares have been filled by participants. 

2. Choose one team for the columns and one for the rows. 

Once you have your Super Bowl 10 by 10 squares, label each of the Super Bowl teams on the grid. One team should represent the column numbers, while the other team should represent the row numbers.

In the example above, the Chiefs have been marked as the row numbers while the Rams have been marked as the column numbers. 

3. Gather your players and let them pick their squares.

Once your 10 by 10 Super Bowl Squares are set, gather your friends to play and let them pick a square. Depending on your pool rules, you might be able to pick more than one square. 

In the example above, you can see which players have selected which squares.

4. What does each number mean?

Let’s use Steve’s pick as an example. Steve selected ‘Rams 4, Chiefs 4’ as his only square. In order for Steve to win, the Rams and Chiefs would have to see their team total scores last digit equal their grid numbers.

So if Steve has ‘Rams 4, Chiefs 4’ then he would need a 14-14 score at the end of a quarter. He could also win with a 24-24 score, a 24-14 score, a 34-24 score… Any score at the end of each quarter that sees the Rams with their last score digit as ‘4’ along with the Chiefs last score digit as ‘4’ is a winner for Steve. 

Let’s use Kyle’s Super Bowl Square as an example now. Kyle has the Square ‘Rams 0, Chiefs 8’ which means he needs the last digit of the Rams final score total at the end of each quarter to be 0, and the Chiefs to be ‘8’. 

Scores that would see Kyle win include ‘Rams 10 Chiefs 28’, ‘Rams 30 Chiefs 18’, ‘Rams 0, Chiefs 8’… Notice how the last digit for each of the Rams’ scores is ‘0’ while the Chiefs is ‘8’.

5. Wait for the game to be played and find the winners! 

Once all squares have been assigned, simply sit back and watch the game! Most pools award four squares winners, once at the end of each quarter. Other pools only do the final score of the game. So make sure you check your Football Squares Pool rules before joining.

How To Win Super Bowl Squares?

This game requires more luck than skill, but the old adage goes ‘better lucky than good’. If your Football Squares Pool rules require boxes be filled out before numbers are randomly generated, then there really is no skill to the Super Bowl Squares.

However, if playing in a pool where the box numbers are known before selecting then there are a few different strategies to consider. The first is to pick numeral digits that are common in football games. Knowing most touchdowns are seven points and field goals are three points, look for dividends of those numbers.

Since touchdowns see seven total points most of the time, numbers such as ‘4’, ‘1’ and ‘8’ become popular. Why? Two seven point touchdowns equal 14, three touchdowns equals 21 and four touchdowns equal 28. Also note that if two touchdowns and a field goal are scored then ‘7’ is typically a winner too.

Seven is the most important number in the Football Squares Pool because it is the most common number to be associated with almost all scoring types. 

What Are the Best and Worst Football Squares?

Knowing which numbers are associated with seven are typically the best squares to go with, as it narrows down ones to target. Scores such as 7-7, 14-7, 14-14, 21-7, 28-14 are all good starting points. 

Go with any square that has two numbers divisible by seven, and you should be in good shape. The worst squares include any square with the number ‘2’ in it. Numbers ‘2’, ‘12’ and ‘22’ are almost impossible to hit in NFL scoring. ‘32’ and ‘42’ are more likely but still very rare, especially early in the game.

Although the above rules and examples feature the most basic setting of Super Bowl Squares, there are advanced versions and rules commissioners use. Sometimes the box numbers are randomized, while other times team scores are replaced with players stats at the end of quarters. 

Whatever your Super Bowl Square pool style is, RYP has you covered! Our pools are fun and easy to connect with friends, co-workers and family members. Start hosting yours today!