How to Play Football Squares: A Complete Guide to Gridiron Gambling Fun

Football Squares, also known as Super Bowl Squares or simply ‘the squares,’ is a wildly popular and easy-to-learn game enjoyed by friends, families, and coworkers during football season, especially around big games like the Super Bowl. It’s a fun and accessible way to add a little friendly competition and excitement to watching football, without the complexities of traditional sports betting. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to set up and play football squares, ensuring you’re ready to join the fun this season.

What is Football Squares?

At its core, Football Squares is a grid-based game of chance that involves predicting the final scores of a football game. The game board is a 10×10 grid, resulting in 100 individual squares. Each column and row is assigned a number between 0 and 9. Participants purchase (or are assigned) squares, and the final digit of each team’s score at the end of each quarter (or the game) determines the winner of that round.

Setting Up a Football Squares Game: Step-by-Step

Let’s break down how to set up a football squares game, from creating the grid to choosing winners.

1. Create or Find a Grid

The first step is to create or obtain a 10×10 grid. You can do this in several ways:

• Hand-Drawn Grid: The most basic method is to use a piece of paper and a ruler to draw a 10×10 grid. Make sure the lines are clear and distinct to prevent confusion.
• Spreadsheet Software: Programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets allow you to easily create a grid. You can even add formatting to make it look cleaner and more professional.
• Online Generators: Numerous websites and apps offer free football squares grid generators. These tools often provide options to customize the grid with team names or other details. Some can also handle payments and square selections. A quick search for “football squares generator” will yield many results.
• Pre-Printed Grids: You can sometimes find pre-printed football squares grids at local party supply stores or online. These are a convenient option if you don’t want to create one yourself.

The grid should have 10 columns and 10 rows, resulting in 100 total squares.

2. Assign Numbers to Rows and Columns

Once you have your grid, you need to assign numbers 0 through 9 to both the rows and the columns. Traditionally, one team is assigned the rows, and the other team is assigned the columns. It’s important that this assignment is done randomly after all squares are purchased. Here’s how you typically do this:

• Method 1: Random Drawing: Write the numbers 0 through 9 on separate pieces of paper. Place them in a hat or container and draw them out one by one, assigning them to each row (top to bottom) and then repeat the process for the columns (left to right). Be sure to label the team names next to the respective rows and columns.
• Method 2: Using a Random Number Generator: An online random number generator can quickly produce a sequence of 0-9. Use the first sequence for the rows and the second sequence for the columns.

Important Note: The numbers should not be assigned until all or most of the squares have been claimed. This ensures fairness and adds an element of unpredictability. Assigning the numbers before the squares are chosen would lead to participants picking squares based on pre-assigned numbers, thus circumventing the game’s design.

3. Determine the Entry Fee and Payout Structure

This is crucial for making the game engaging and rewarding. Here are some considerations for establishing your entry fee and payout structure:

• Entry Fee: The cost per square should be decided upon by the group playing. A dollar or two per square is common for casual games, but this can be raised for larger groups or more serious wagering.
• Payout Structure: You can choose a variety of payout structures. The most common is to pay out the winner of each quarter and the final score. For instance:
• Quarter Winners: Award a smaller payout to the person whose square matches the last digit of each team’s score at the end of the first, second, and third quarters.
• Final Score Winner: Award the largest payout to the person whose square matches the final score of the game.
• Other Variations: You could award a payout for halftime scores, or for the score at other specific points in the game. Some variations may only payout the final score. You could also create payouts for ‘reverse squares’ where the digits are switched. For instance if the final score is 27-14, the winner of the 7-4 square would win as well. Be sure that your participants understand all payout structures prior to filling the squares.
• Setting a ‘House Take’: Some organizers might choose to take a small percentage of the pool to help cover the cost of administration or additional prizes. This should be transparent and agreed upon by all participants.
• Pot Accumulation: You can also set up a pool that builds over several weeks if you are playing for multiple games or an entire season, with the final squares having larger prizes. This can build excitement and engagement over time.

It’s important to decide on the payout structure and collect all entry fees before the game starts.

4. Selling or Assigning Squares

Now that you have your grid ready and payout structure set, it’s time to assign or sell squares. Here are some methods:

• First-Come, First-Served: Allow participants to choose their squares in the order they sign up or pay their entry fees.
• Random Assignment: If you prefer a completely random approach, you can assign squares without any participant input. This is useful for large groups or when you want to avoid anyone feeling they were not able to pick the square they wanted.
• Online Selection: If you are using an online grid generator, you may be able to allow participants to choose or be assigned squares directly through the platform, simplifying the process significantly.

Regardless of the method used, keep a clear and updated record of who has which square to prevent any confusion later on.

5. Filling the Grid

As people claim squares, fill in the grid using initials, names, or other identifiers. You can also use different colored pens or markers to make it clear who has each square.

6. Determining Winners During the Game

Once the game begins, keep track of the scores of the game. Here’s how to determine the winners:

• Using the Last Digit: At the end of each quarter (or the selected payout points), take the last digit of each team’s score.
• Finding the Matching Square: Locate the square on the grid where the row and column numbers match the last digit of the scores. For example, if team A has a score of 13 and team B has a score of 27, the winning square would be the intersection of the ‘3’ row and the ‘7’ column.
• Announce the Winner: Clearly announce the winner of each quarter and the final score, ensuring that everyone is aware of the result.
• Pay Out the Winners: Distribute the agreed-upon prizes to the winners promptly.

Tips for a Successful Football Squares Game

Here are some tips to ensure your Football Squares game runs smoothly and everyone has a great time:

• Transparency is Key: Clearly communicate the rules, entry fees, and payout structure to all participants before the game. This prevents any disputes or misunderstandings.
• Early Setup: Start setting up your grid and collecting entries well before the game to avoid last-minute scrambling.
• Keep It Social: Football Squares is a great way to bring people together. Encourage friendly competition and make sure everyone feels included.
• Use a Digital Tool: For larger games or when playing remotely, online generators or spreadsheet software can greatly simplify the process.
• Clearly Mark Winners: If the game has multiple payouts, you may want to mark the winners of the squares as you go.
• Have Fun: Most importantly, remember that Football Squares is about having fun and adding a bit of extra excitement to the game. Don’t let it get too serious.

Variations on Football Squares

While the standard 10×10 grid with quarter and final score payouts is the most common, there are a few variations you might consider:

• Different Grid Sizes: While uncommon, you could alter the grid size, though 10×10 is the most widely used and easily understandable size.
• Bonus Squares: You could offer a bonus for squares matching ‘reverse scores’ or specific scores like 7-0 or 14-0.
• Progressive Prizes: As mentioned before, build the prize pool over time, adding extra payouts for final scores or other milestone moments over the course of a season.
• Charity Game: Use the game as a fundraiser for a good cause by designating a portion of the funds for a specific charity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people have about Football Squares:

Q: What happens if a game goes into overtime?

A: The final score at the end of overtime is used for determining the final score winner.

Q: Can I play more than one square?

A: Absolutely! You can play as many squares as you’d like, provided there are squares available.

Q: What if a game is cancelled?

A: If a game is cancelled, it is customary to refund the entry fees or to roll over the entries into a future game. The decision should be made before the game by the organizers and communicated to all participants.

Q: Is Football Squares legal?

A: Football Squares is generally considered a friendly game of chance and is not typically subject to gambling laws, especially when played amongst friends. However, if you are organizing a large-scale game with significant prizes, it’s always wise to consult local regulations.

Q: How do I keep track of who has what square?

A: A spreadsheet or a simple list is useful. Make sure to update it promptly as participants claim squares. Online tools can also keep track of this automatically.

Q: Can I use a different sport for this game?

A: Yes! While it’s commonly associated with football, the game can be adapted for almost any sport with a numeric score. Basketball, baseball, and hockey are some good alternatives.

Conclusion

Football Squares is a simple yet engaging game that can make watching football even more exciting. Its straightforward rules and flexible setup allow it to be played by people of all ages, regardless of their knowledge of football. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to organize a successful and fun Football Squares game for your friends, family, or colleagues. So gather your group, set up your grid, and prepare for some friendly gridiron gambling fun!