How Super Bowl squares work
Football squares is a 10×10 grid. One team goes across the top and the other down the side. Players claim squares, and once the board is full, the numbers 0 to 9 are drawn at random for each row and each column. At the end of every quarter, take the last digit of each team's score: the square where those two digits meet wins that quarter's prize. If the top team leads 17–10, the winning square is top 7, side 0.
Because the numbers are drawn only after squares are claimed, nobody can pick the “good” numbers in advance, so everyone starts with the same chance.
How to run your pool with this tool
- Name the teams. They start as Home and Away; type in the real matchup once it is set.
- Add players. Paste one name per line and click Auto-fill board to place squares at random. Leave “Squares per player” empty to split the board evenly, or write “Jordan x5” to give someone five squares. You can also pick a name and click squares, or click any square to type a name.
- Set the money. Enter the cost per square and a payout split. The pot is squares sold × cost, and each quarter's prize updates as squares fill.
- Draw the numbers when the board is full. They stay hidden until then, and the board locks so no one can move squares afterward.
- Share it. The link holds the whole board (names, numbers, payouts and scores) in the URL itself. Send it to the group or print the board. There is no account and no server: opening the link shows a copy, so re-share after you enter scores.
- Enter the scores after each quarter. The winning square lights up and the Winners panel shows who won and how much.
Payout ideas
The most common split is 25% per quarter. Many pools pay more for the final (20/20/20/40) or reward halftime and the final (20/30/20/30). If the prizes add up to less than 100%, the rest is shown as unallocated, which is handy for a charity cut or rolling an unsold winning square into the next quarter. Agree on the rules for unsold squares and for a scoreless quarter before the draw.
Which numbers are best?
Since the numbers are random, every square has the same chance before the draw. After the draw, some squares are much better than others: 0, 7, 3 and 4 are the most common last digits in NFL scores because touchdowns with extra points (7) and field goals (3) dominate scoring. Pairs such as 0–0, 7–0, 0–7, 3–0 and 7–4 come up far more often than 2–2 or 5–5. That is exactly why drawing the numbers after squares are sold keeps the game fair.
Tips
- Use Print for a clean landscape board without the rest of the page, or save a PDF to text or email.
- Your board is also saved in this browser, so closing the tab doesn't lose it.
- Squares works for any football game, and for hockey or basketball too (using last digits of the score).
- Hosting a party? Try printable bingo cards, the wheel spinner for tie-breakers and door prizes, or the turkey calculator if football comes with a feast.
Squares pools with money may be regulated where you live. This tool only keeps score and does not handle payments.
Frequently asked questions
How do Super Bowl squares work?
The board is a 10×10 grid with one team across the top and the other down the side. Players claim squares, then the digits 0–9 are drawn at random for each row and column. At the end of each quarter, the square where the last digit of each team's score meets wins. For example, 17–10 means the top 7 / side 0 square wins.
When should the numbers be drawn?
After all the squares are claimed. Drawing late keeps the pool fair, because nobody can pick squares with the more common digits like 0, 7 and 3. This tool keeps the numbers hidden until you click Draw the numbers and then locks the board.
How are the numbers randomized?
Each row and column gets a random order of 0–9 using your browser's cryptographic random number generator, the same source used for security keys, so no one can predict or influence the draw.
How much does each quarter pay?
It is up to your pool. The pot is squares sold × cost per square. A 25% split per quarter is the most common, and many pools pay more for the final, like 20/20/20/40. Pick a preset or enter your own percentages; the prize for each quarter updates automatically.
What if the winning square is empty or the game goes to overtime?
The final score includes overtime, so enter the score after OT for the final. If nobody owns the winning square, the tool shows it as unsold; most pools roll that prize into the next quarter or give it back to the organizer, so agree on a rule before kickoff.
Can I share the board with my group?
Yes. Copy share link puts the whole board (names, numbers, payouts and scores) into the link itself, with no account or server. Anyone who opens it sees the same board. Send a new link after you enter scores so everyone sees the latest winners.
Can I print the squares grid?
Yes. Print gives a clean landscape page with just the board, payouts and winners, and PDF saves the same board as a file you can text or email.
Can one person buy several squares?
Yes. Set Squares per player for everyone, or add a count after a name, like “Jordan x5”, and Auto-fill places that many squares at random. You can also pick a name and click squares to place them by hand.