Running a football pool is a classic way to amp up game day, whether you're hosting a casual gathering or organizing an office party. At its core, the game is simple: you don't need to know a single thing about football strategy to win. All you need is a blank 10x10 grid, some random numbers, and a bit of luck when the quarters end.
If you're looking to set one up quickly, grabbing a free printable football squares PDF is the easiest route. You print the sheet, hand out a pen, and let participants claim their spots before drawing the digits. This guide covers how the grid works, how to set up the numbers fairly, and the actual math behind which squares hit most often.
How Football Squares Work
The game uses a 100-square grid arranged in 10 rows and 10 columns. One team occupies the columns (horizontal axis), while the opposing team occupies the rows (vertical axis).
Participants purchase or claim individual squares on the blank grid before anyone knows what numbers correspond to the rows and columns. Once every square is filled, numbers from zero to nine are randomly assigned to each row and column.
Winners are determined at the end of each quarter (or halftime) based on the last digit of each team's score. For example, if the score at the end of the first quarter is Chiefs 14, 49ers 7, you look at 4 for the Chiefs and 7 for the 49ers. The person whose name sits at the intersecting square wins that quarter's payout.
If you want to read more about official NFL game rules and scoring structures to keep your pool accurate, check out the NFL Official Rules.
Setting Up Your Printable Grid
Starting a pool takes just a few minutes if you follow a clean setup process.
- Print the Grid: Download and print a standard 10x10 squares sheet. Make sure the axes have enough blank space to write numbers later.
- Collect Names: Have participants write their initials or names in their chosen squares. Set a strict deadline—usually kickoff—so everyone gets settled.
- Draw Numbers: Once the grid is full, write the digits 0 through 9 on small slips of paper, put them in a hat, and draw them randomly for the columns. Repeat the process in a separate draw for the rows.
- Mark the Grid: Write the drawn numbers clearly along the top and left side of the grid, aligning them with each respective row and column.
Keep the completed grid visible to everyone in the room. Taking a clear photo of the final grid with your phone and texting it to the group ensures nobody can dispute who claimed which square later on.
The Math Behind Winning Squares
Not all squares carry equal weight in football pools. Because standard football scoring happens primarily in increments of 3 (field goals) and 7 (touchdowns plus extra points), certain numbers appear far more frequently on the scoreboard than others.
Historical NFL data shows that combinations ending in 0, 3, 4, and 7 hit significantly more often than digits like 2, 5, or 8.
- The Best Numbers: Zero and seven are historically the most valuable digits. A score ending in 0-0, 7-0, 0-7, or 7-7 is common at the start of games and after standard scoring plays.
- The Worst Numbers: Two and five are notoriously low-probability digits because teams rarely score safety-plus-field-goal combinations or odd point spreads without standard conversions.
If you get stuck with a bad row-column intersection like 2 and 5, don't throw away your ticket just yet. Defensive shutdowns, missed extra points, and late-game safeties can still land an awkward score combination out of nowhere.
Common Pool Variations to Try
Sticking to the traditional end-of-quarter payout is fun, but mixing up the structure keeps participants engaged even if a blowout happens early in the game.
Reverse Score Payouts
Flip the digits for a secondary prize. If the score is Chiefs 17, 49ers 10, the standard winner is 7 and 0. However, you can award a smaller prize to the person holding the 0 and 7 square. This keeps people with trailing scores interested until the final whistle.
Changing Numbers Every Quarter
Instead of keeping the same row and column numbers for the entire game, draw new numbers from the hat after every single quarter. This wipes out any early statistical advantage and gives every single player a fresh shot at a payout as the game progresses.
Multi-Sport Adaptations
You can use the exact same 10x10 grid concept for high-scoring basketball games or baseball runs. Just remember that the underlying digit probabilities shift depending on the typical scoring cadence of the sport you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the score lands on a number that nobody claimed?
Most pool organizers roll that quarter's prize pool over into the next quarter, or award it to the closest adjacent square using a predetermined rule set before the game starts.
Can I run a football squares pool with more than 100 squares?
Standard grids are strictly locked to 10x10 because numbers range from 0 to 9. If you have more than 100 participants, you can either run multiple separate grids or let people buy fractional shares of a single square.
Do I need to collect money before drawing numbers?
Yes. Chasing participants for entry fees after the game starts is stressful. Always enforce a "no pay, no square" policy to keep the pool clean and straightforward for everyone involved.
