Football squares, also known as a football pool or football boxes, is a way of placing bets for a group of people using a basic X-Y axis (remember algebra?) Players enter their names (usually initials) into as many squares as they wish to buy into. Each square represents a score. How to run a 100 Square Football Pool; There is no difference between the gird above and the Super Bowl Squares that you use every year for the big game. The grid above allows you to edit the team names, so it can be used for any game of the season.
This is a fun, random betting game for a large Super Bowl party. If you're hosting friends and family for a fun Super Bowl viewing party, you'll want to include this as part of the fun. Everyone (even the grandams, aunties, and non-football fans) will rave about how much fun this is. It'll take some convincing at first. But the people who toss $5-$20 into this fun Super Bowl betting game will be happy they did. And your hardcore sports betting friends won't have an advantage. This isn't an over-under bet. You're not choosing sides. It's pure random fun.
How Super Bowl Betting Squares Work
All the money put in the pot will be distributed by the end of the game. So all $100 that goes in will end up in random players' pockets. This means Grandma might win $15, and niece Lily could be the big winner with $35. Big John might only get $5, and many will win nothing. But when you see you Grandma rooting for a Chiefs field-goal in the 3rd quarter because it means she'd win another $5, you'll know you've just upped your Super Bowl Party level to Pro. Here's how to create a fun 10×10 square Super Bowl betting squares chart that's fun for everyone who plays.
Materials
- Poster board
- Magic marker (black, permanent)
- Deck of cards (or random numbers 0-9)
- Basket, hat, or bowl (for the money)
Set-up
- Draw lines dividing the poster board into 11 x 11 squares (draw 10 lines horizontal, and 10 vertical).
- Pro-tip: Leave a little space on the top and left edge to write the team names.
- Write the team names. On the top edge write one Team Name (49ers), on the left edge write the other Team Name (Chiefs)
- Have people ‘buy squares' for $1 each. The total pot will be $100 if you fill up the board.
- Pro-tip: Try really hard to fill-up the board. Buy all the empty squares leftover for yourself if you have to. If you don't fill up the board it's okay. If an empty square wins, then nobody gets paid. Everyone will be disappointed and maybe they'll buy more squares next year! 😉
- People write their names in any of the inside 10×10 squares (it's random). Just write your name in any square. $1/square.
- Pro-tip: Fill the squares before kick-off. If people will arrive after kick-off, call them beforehand. Have them commit $5 or $10 to squares and you can write their names in for them beforehand. Remember, it's random anyway, so there's no disadvantage. They could still end up big winners! This is fun for everyone.
- Add the numbers to the top row and left column. IMPORTANT: the numbers are filled in AFTER all the names are written in the squares. This keeps it random, and allows everyone to have an equal, random chance of winning. Use the deck of cards to draw random numbers for each square in the top row and left column. Fill them in with numbers 0-9 (yes, include 0). Don't do it in order. Make it random!
How to Pay Out for the Betting Board
There are a few different ways to pay out for the betting squares game. Regardless of whether you want to pay out less frequently, or more frequently, you're going to pay out the chart based on the random numbers (0-9) that match a square (and person's name in that square). As the score gets higher, you'll use the one's digit of the score to determine the number. See the detailed example pay out below.
Some people like to pay out only at the end of each quarter. This means the total pot can be divided by 4. So if you sell 80 (of the 100) squares, you could pay out $20 at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. You could also weight the final score (4th quarter) more heavily. Pay out $10 for the score at the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, while saving the highest pay out for the final score.
My preferred method is to pay out $5 for every score change. Whoever had the numbers for half-time got $10. Then, whatever was left in the pot at the end of the game got the rest for the final score! The benefit of this more frequent pay-out schedule is that more people win and end up interested in the game. Even your Aunt who just came for the gossip and commercials will be rooting for a team to kick a field goal. haha This was the way that I played growing up at my Godfather's Super Bowl party.
Make sure everyone knows that whoever has square 0, 0 wins $5 at kick-off! Then, when the score changes, whoever has the square for that score wins $5! This happens each time there's a field goal, a touchdown, a point-after touchdown, a safety, or a 2-point conversion. Each time the number changes, somebody gets paid.
Yes, a touchdown should result in two $5 pay outs. Five dollars for the 6-point change (touchdown), and $5 for the 1-point change (PAT)! This way touchdowns are more exciting than field goals. Just like in the game. And whoever has the number with the PAT will be pissed if the kicker misses. haha
Example Pay Out
If the 49ers score a field goal first (3 pts), then whoever has 49ers 3, Chiefs 0 wins $5 (Sally in the pic)!
Then, let's say the Chiefs reply by scoring a touchdown (6 pts). Whoever's name is written in the square with 49ers 3, Chiefs 6 wins $5. Naturally, the Chiefs will likely kick a PAT (point after touchdown, 1 pt). So whoever has 49ers 3, Chiefs 7 ALSO wins $5!
This style of Super Bowl betting pool is fun because many people can win money! People who may not have been interested in the game become interested when there's a chance that one of their squares might win!
At my Godfather's Super Bowl party, it's always funny to see some old lady (who doesn't usually care about football) rooting for one team to kick a field goal, because the resulting score will win her $5! It's fun for all ages, makes the game a little more interesting, and is not too difficult to set-up! So, create a Super Bowl betting pool for your Super Bowl party and get everybody involved!
Like this article? Explore more.
Thanks for stopping by. If you like this article, explore some more. I also write about saving moneyandinvesting for your future. Come on back after the Super Bowl and I'd love to help you become a millionaire with all your Super Bowl winnings! Oh yeah, good luck and have fun.
Related posts:
Super Bowl 2020 is almost here and I'm sure that the football fans among you can't wait for the big game. One of the best ways to add extra sauce to the event is by playing Super Bowl squares.
If you plan to challenge your buddies or your colleagues for money and the bragging rights for the next year, I'm here to help with a free printable Super Bowl squares template. In fact, there's more than one option for you to choose from.
This post includes the classic Super Bowl square grid and several alternative options. I will explain how to use each of them, so all you need to do is print them and fill in the Super Bowl boxes.
Classic Printable Super Bowl 2020 Squares Templates
Let's start with the templates for the classic Super Bowl squares that feature 100 X 100 boxes. The first one is without numbers, so you can have a draw and add them after all squares are taken.
If you prefer the version with numbers, we've got you covered as well.
In this one, you have a choice, so there's some strategy involved. According to the results in the previous editions, the best numbers for Super Bowl squares are 0 and 7, while 2 and 5 are the worst.
Of course, the past doesn't have to repeat necessarily. The Super Bowl squares odds are roughly the same for most numbers.
Alternate Printable Super Bowl Squares Template for 2020
You can also pick another Super Bowl 2020 squares template for different variations of the popular game.
Gambling Squares For Super Bowl
First in line is the 10 line squares template.
The main difference to the classic Super Bowl squares rules is that each player only has one number instead of two. For that to work, you need to add up the scores of each team at the end of each quarter and use the last number to determine the winner.
For example, if Team A has 9 points after the first quarter and Team B has 7, the total is 16 and the player who has the number 6 in his square wins. The same logic applies to each quarter.
This variation of the Super Bowl 2020 squares is perfect for 10 people or you could use it with 5 and each can pick two boxes.
25 Line Super Bowl Squares Template
The next option features 25 squares, as you can see from our printable template below.
Once again, the rules are similar to the classic version but with a slight twist. There are two numbers in each square, so every player has a higher chance to win.
This variation of Super Bowl square grid works well if you don't have enough people for the bigger one.
This one is a mix between the 25-line Super Bowl pool grid and the classic option.
As you can see, you will have only one number for one of the teams but two numbers for the other.
That way, you have a higher chance of hitting a prize and once again, this version of football squares is designed for fewer people.
Super Bowl Squares Template with Quarter Lines
Finally, we have my personal favorite – the version that includes quarter lines.
This variation works like the classic squares but your numbers are different for each quarter.
I would say that this adds a lot more fun to the whole experience.
As you can see, you will have only one number for one of the teams but two numbers for the other.
That way, you have a higher chance of hitting a prize and once again, this version of football squares is designed for fewer people.
Super Bowl Squares Template with Quarter Lines
Finally, we have my personal favorite – the version that includes quarter lines.
This variation works like the classic squares but your numbers are different for each quarter.
I would say that this adds a lot more fun to the whole experience.
Don't worry if you don't know how to play Super Bowl squares. The rules are really easy. You only need to pick one or more squares from the grid, while the other players do the same.
Once all squares are taken, there's a draw for the numbers between 0 and 9. You get two numbers for each square you possess, one for each of the Super Bowl teams.
At the end of each quarter, the player that has the numbers that are the same as the last number of the score of each team wins.
For example, if the score is 23-17, you need the number 3 for Team A and the number 7 for team B to win the game. There are four winners for each quarter, so you have multiple chances to win.
Usually, people place money on this game and the classic distribution is 20% of the prize pool for each of the first three quarters and 40% for the winner of the final score.
You can vary with that, though, and pick another way to distribute the awards.
If you want an in-depth guide on how to play Super Bowl squares 2020, I recommend you to check our dedicated page.
Play Super Bowl Squares Online
Super Bowl Squares Gambling
If you don't have a large enough number of players or simply want to play online, there are plenty of options. Some of the top Super Bowl betting sites run football squares throughout the whole season and then offer them for the grand finale too.
Betting Squares Super Bowl
A good example is MyBookie and I just added a post on all of the advantages of using the sportsbook for betting on Super Bowl 2020. It also includes a section about the bookmaker's squares contest, so make sure to check it out.
