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Super Bowl football squares (often called Super Bowl Squares, football squares, or box pools) are a popular betting/party game where participants buy or claim squares on a 10×10 grid. The grid corresponds to the last digit of each team’s score at various points in the game (commonly the end of each quarter and the final score). Winners are determined by matching the last digit of each team’s score to the numbers assigned to the grid’s rows and columns.

Important note: Depending on where you live, squares pools can be considered gambling if money is involved. Many people play for fun or prizes instead of cash. Check local rules if you’re organizing a paid pool.

How Super Bowl Squares Works

1) Create the 10×10 grid

• You draw or print a grid with 100 squares (10 rows × 10 columns).
• One axis is assigned to Team A (e.g., the AFC team), and the other axis to Team B (e.g., the NFC team).
• Each square can be “sold” for a set amount (e.g., $1, $5, $10, $20 per square), or assigned for free.

2) Participants choose squares

• People write their name/initials in one or more squares.
• Once all squares are filled (or at a cutoff time), the organizer assigns numbers 0–9 to the rows and columns.

3) Randomly assign the 0–9 digits

• The key to fairness is that the digits are assigned randomly after squares are chosen.
• Typically, the organizer writes digits 0–9 in random order along the top (columns) and left side (rows).
• These digits represent the last digit of each team’s score.

4) Determine winners by score digits

• At the end of each quarter (or at other checkpoints), look at each team’s score.
• Take the ones digit (last digit) of each score.
• The winning square is at the intersection of those two digits.

Example (How a Winning Square Is Found)

Let’s say the Super Bowl teams are:

• Kansas City (columns across the top)
• San Francisco (rows down the side)

Assume the organizer randomly assigns digits like this (simplified illustration):

• Columns (Kansas City): 3, 1, 7, 0, 9, 4, 6, 2, 8, 5
• Rows (San Francisco): 8, 2, 0, 5, 6, 1, 7, 9, 3, 4

Now suppose at the end of the 1st quarter the score is:

• Kansas City: 10 → last digit is 0
• San Francisco: 7 → last digit is 7

You’d find:

• The column labeled 0 (Kansas City)
• The row labeled 7 (San Francisco)

The square where row 7 meets column 0 is the winner for that quarter.

Common Payout Structures

Squares pools often pay out at the end of each quarter and/or final score. Here are common formats:

Option A: 4 payouts (end of each quarter)

• 1st Quarter: 20%
• Halftime (2nd Quarter): 20%
• 3rd Quarter: 20%
• Final: 40%

Option B: 3 payouts (Q1, Q2, Final)

• 1st Quarter: 25%
• Halftime: 25%
• Final: 50%

Option C: Winner-take-most (final emphasized)

• Final: 70–100%
• Smaller prizes for earlier quarters

Example with money: If squares cost $10 each and all 100 squares are sold, the pot is $1,000. Using a 20/20/20/40 split:

• Q1: $200
• Halftime: $200
• Q3: $200
• Final: $400

Why Random Number Assignment Matters

If digits were assigned before people choose squares, participants could “game” the system by picking squares likely to win (for example, certain score endings happen more often than others due to common scoring increments like touchdowns and field goals). Randomizing digits after squares are selected helps keep the pool fair.

Common scoring notes:

• Football scoring comes in increments of 2, 3, 6 (plus extra points), and 7, which makes some last digits more common than others.
• This is why many organizers insist on random assignment after squares are filled.

Variations of Football Squares

1) Reverse Squares

Some pools flip which team is on rows vs. columns, or they use “reverse” winning rules. Be sure everyone knows the orientation.

2) Halftime/Final Only

Instead of paying each quarter, some pools only pay at:

• Halftime
• Final score

3) Multiple Grids

For large parties, organizers may run:

• One grid at $5 per square
• Another at $20 per square

4) “Second Half” Grid

A separate grid starts at halftime, using only 3rd quarter and final payouts.

5) Online/Digital Squares

Many people use spreadsheets or dedicated websites for automatic randomization and easy sharing (especially for remote groups).

How to Run a Squares Pool Smoothly (Practical Tips)

• Set rules upfront: cost per square, payout schedule, and tie-handling (ties usually aren’t possible because digits are unique, but clarify any special rules).
• Lock the grid before assigning digits: assign digits only after squares are chosen (or after a deadline).
• Use a transparent random method: e.g., draw numbers from a hat, use a random number generator, or shuffle number cards.
• Share a clear photo or digital copy: so everyone can see the final numbered grid.
• Plan for unfilled squares: decide whether the organizer keeps them, they’re “house squares,” or they’re removed and refunded.

References / Further Reading

• Wikipedia: Squares (game) (overview of the squares/box pool concept)
• NFL Rulebook (Scoring) (helps explain why certain score endings occur more often)

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If you tell me the number of players, whether you want cash or prizes, and how many payouts you want (quarters vs. halftime/final), I can generate a ready-to-print grid layout and a recommended payout structure.