How Football Squares Work

Football squares is a popular party game and sportsbook promotion. You’ll most likely play this game with friends on Super Bowl Sunday or for the College Football National Championship. Some sportsbooks also offer football squares as a promotion to existing players, allowing them to win bonus bets, cash prizes, or other rewards.

The following guide explains how to play the Football Squares party game. After, we’ll discuss how sportsbook Football Squares work, and how you can claim a football square when your sports betting site offers a Football Squares promotion.


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Table of Contents

How Football Squares Work

A 10×10 grid has numbers 0-9 randomly assigned in the top row for the home team. The away team has numbers 0-9 randomly assigned in the column on the lefthand side.

10×10 Football Squares Grid – Away team left, Home team top
x1325460978
7JimSusy
1SusyJim
4ToddMarcus
3JakeAdnan
5JoseSusy
9LisaJose
0MarcusAllen
2SusyBen
6AdnanTodd
8LisaAllen
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Object of the Game

The object of the football squares game is to own a square that corresponds to the last digit of each team’s score at the end of the selected game segment.

How to Play Football Squares

Time needed: 3 minutes

How to play football squares

  1. Add the Away team and Home team to the football squares grid

    Put the Away team on the lefthand side of the football squares grid. Put the Home team at the top of the grid.

  2. Randomly assign numbers 0-9 in the away team’s column and numbers 0-9 for the home team’s row.

    Randomly fill in numbers 0-9 in the away team’s column. Use each number once. Also do the same for the home team’s row, again using each number once.

  3. Distribute one or more squares to each player

    Assign one or more squares to each player. Players can purchase each square for a fee. Or, the squares can be assigned at random.

  4. Check each team’s score at the end of the game segment

    Check each team’s official score at the end of the selected game segment.

  5. Match the last digit of each team’s score to determine the winning square

    Find the row containing the last digit of the away team’s score. Find the column containing the last digit of the home team’s score. The square where the row and the column meet is the winning player.

Determining the Game Winner

The player who owns the square that matches the last digit of each team’s score wins a prize. Typically, players will purchase each square for a fixed fee. The game winner may win some or all of the total prize money.


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Game Variations

There are a number of Football Squares game variations. The following are just a few different ways to play football squares. Or, you can make up your own variation as well.

  • Free Football Squares – It’s not necessary to play for money. A winner could receive a gift, a grab bag, candy, peanuts, or some other non-monetary prize.
  • Random Football Squares – Assign squares randomly using a drawing before the game begins. This ensures fair play and makes the game closer to bingo, which is more about luck than skill or bankroll.
  • Power Squares – Some digit combinations are more likely to win than others. Increase the price of these squares in exchange for a smaller prize. You could also increase the prize money for squares that are statistically less likely to win.
  • Game Segment Multiplier – Pick two or more game segments to multiply a player’s potential prize money. For example, if the same square wins for the 1st Half and Game, the player wins all the money.
  • Bonus Squares – Select a couple squares in advance that win side prizes or other outcomes to keep your party lively. For example, a square that corresponds to the last 2 digits of someone’s birth year, street address, or phone number.
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Popular Events

The most popular football square events include the Super Bowl and the College Football National Championship game. You could also play football squares for the AFC and NFC conference championships, or individual college football conference championships like the Big 12, SEC, or Big Ten.

Of course, the game could be played for any football or basketball game as well. It’s meant to be a fun diversion among friends and a way to liven up an otherwise routine afternoon or evening of watching football.

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Looking for a FREE football squares grid for your next party or special event? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The following are free to download and use as you see fit. Make sure to review the game rules above before you play.

Excel Football Squares Sheet

Download our free Excel Football Squares sheet. You can print it out using any Windows device or Mac with software that can open Microsoft Excel documents. If you’d like an unlocked version, please contact us.

Printable Football Squares PDF

Download our free Printable Football Squares PDF. You can print it out using your mobile device or laptop to starting playing immediately.

Sportsbook Football Squares

Many sportsbooks offer customers football squares as special promotions. If your square wins, you’ll win bonus bets. The terms and conditions for your football squares bonus bets will be similar to other promotions. Make sure to note the expiration date, eligible leagues and wagers, and any other exclusions and limitations.

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BetRivers will occasionally display a squares icon next to a football game. In order to earn a square, you’ll need to bet $10+ on one or more Same Game Parlay for the matchup. The higher the combined total of your Same Game Parlays, the more squares you’ll earn. The upper limit is usually 3 squares for wagering $50 or more.

After the game, check if the last digits of each teams’ scores match the square BetRivers gave you. How much you win depends on your square:

  • Standard Squares – $20 Bonus Bet
  • Boosted Bonus Bet Squares – $25, $50, or $100 Bonus Bets
  • Booster Bonus Money Squares – $1,000 or $10,000 in Bonus Money

FAQs on Football Squares

How many squares are there in a Football Squares game?

A 10×10 football squares grid has a total of 100 squares. The top columns have numbers 0-9 randomly assigned for the home team. The away team has numbers 9-0 randomly assigned in the rows on the lefthand side.

What is the object of Football Squares?

The object of the football squares game is to own a square that corresponds to the last digit of each team’s score at the end of the game segment chosen by the game organizer.

Which game segments are best for Football Squares?

The most common game segment for football squares is the final game score. However, you can also play a game for the 1st half, 2nd half, or any of the 4 quarters.

What other sports work for Football Squares?

Another high-scoring sport like NBA basketball or College Basketball works best. You could also modify the grid for soccer, hockey, or baseball by crossing out numbers 7 or higher, as most team scores in these games rarely exceed 8.

What are the most popular Football Squares events?

The most popular football square events include the Super Bowl and the College Football National Championship game. You could also play football squares for the AFC and NFC conference championships, or individual college football conference championships like the Big 12, SEC, or Big Ten.

What prizes does BetRivers award for winning Football Squares?

BetRivers offers standard square winners a $20 bonus bet. Boosted bonus bet winners could collect anywhere from $25-$100, while boosted bonus money winners could win $1,000 or even $10,000 instantly.

NFL Betting Resources

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