How Do Super Bowl Squares Work?
Super Bowl squares are a popular social betting game using a 10x10 grid. Here is how the grid works, how winners are picked, and which numbers are worth more.
By
Eric Pauly
Feb 8, 2026
5 min read
Super Bowl Squares: The Complete Explainer
Super Bowl squares are one of the most popular social betting games in the United States. Every February, offices, friend groups, and online communities set up grids and buy squares for a chance to win money based on the score of the Super Bowl. The format is simple enough for anyone to participate, which is why it appeals to casual fans who might never place a traditional sports bet.
I have run or participated in Super Bowl squares pools for the past five years, and the questions are always the same: how does the grid work, how are winners determined, and are some numbers actually better than others? This guide answers all of those questions. If you are looking for more structured ways to bet on the Super Bowl, our guide to types of bets covers everything from spreads to prop bets.
article Summary
Super Bowl squares use a 10x10 grid where each square corresponds to a pair of single-digit numbers (0 through 9) for each team. Numbers are randomly assigned after all squares are purchased. Winners are determined by the last digit of each team score at the end of each quarter. The numbers 0, 3, and 7 are historically the most favorable because NFL scoring patterns make those digits appear most often in final scores.
How the 10x10 Grid Works
Setting Up the Grid
A Super Bowl squares grid is a 10-by-10 chart with 100 total squares. One team is assigned to the columns (top) and the other to the rows (side). Participants buy individual squares at a set price. If each square costs $10, the total pot is $1,000. Once all 100 squares are sold, the numbers 0 through 9 are randomly assigned to each row and each column. This randomization is critical because it means no one knows which numbers they will get until after they have purchased their squares.
Why Random Assignment Matters
The random number assignment is what makes squares a game of chance rather than skill. You cannot pick your numbers in a legitimate squares pool. This keeps the game fair and prevents anyone from cherry-picking favorable number combinations. Some online squares generators handle the randomization automatically, while in-person pools typically draw numbers from a hat after all squares are filled.
Reading Your Square
Each square on the grid corresponds to a unique combination of two single-digit numbers: one from the column header (Team A) and one from the row header (Team B). If your square sits at the intersection of column 7 and row 3, you are looking for a score where Team A last digit is 7 and Team B last digit is 3. A score of 17-13, 27-23, or 7-3 would all hit your square.
How Winners Are Determined
Quarterly Payouts
Winners are determined at the end of each quarter (first, second, third, and final). At each checkpoint, you take the last digit of each team score and find the square on the grid where those two numbers intersect. The owner of that square wins the payout for that quarter. This means there are four chances to win during the game. Some pools also add a halftime payout, creating five total winning opportunities.
Common Payout Structures
The most common payout structure splits the pot as follows: 20% for first quarter, 20% for second quarter, 20% for third quarter, and 40% for the final score. This rewards the final score more heavily since it reflects the complete game. Other popular structures include an even 25% split across all four quarters or a graduated format (10/20/30/40). Some pools reverse the column and row numbers at halftime or after each quarter, giving every square a fresh set of numbers and more chances to win. I have found that the pools with quarterly number redraws are more fun but reduce any edge from favorable initial numbers.
What Happens with Overtime
If the Super Bowl goes to overtime, most pools use the final score (including overtime) for the fourth-quarter payout. Some pools add a separate overtime payout, but this is less common. Clarify the overtime rules before the game starts to avoid disputes. In the Super Bowl pools I have managed, spelling out the overtime policy in advance has prevented arguments every single time.
Which Numbers Are Favorable?
The Math Behind Good Numbers
Not all numbers are created equal in Super Bowl squares. Because NFL scoring happens in increments of 3 (field goal), 6 (touchdown without extra point), 7 (touchdown plus extra point), and occasionally 2 (safety) or 8 (touchdown plus two-point conversion), certain last digits appear far more frequently than others. Historical data across thousands of NFL games shows that 0, 7, 3, and 4 are the most common last digits in NFL scores. The digits 2, 5, 8, and 9 appear least frequently.
Best and Worst Number Combinations
The single most favorable square is 0-0, which hits frequently at the end of the first quarter when many games are still scoreless or at 7-7, 10-10, etc. Combinations involving 0, 3, and 7 are consistently strong. A square with 7-0 or 3-7 gives you a solid chance across all four quarters. On the flip side, squares like 2-5, 5-8, or 9-9 are historically weak because those score combinations rarely occur in the NFL. Understanding American odds and probability applies here too, even though squares are a casual game: the math behind scoring patterns determines your true chances.
Does It Actually Matter?
Since numbers are assigned randomly, you cannot control which numbers you get. Knowing which numbers are favorable is useful for understanding your odds after the draw, but it does not change the outcome. If you draw 0-7, you can feel good about your chances. If you draw 5-2, your odds are slimmer. Some pools allow square trading after numbers are drawn, and in those cases, understanding number value becomes directly actionable. If someone offers to trade their 0-3 square for your 8-5, take that deal.
Final Thoughts
Super Bowl squares are a fun, low-barrier way to have action on the big game without needing to understand spreads, moneylines, or props. The format is purely luck-based once the numbers are drawn, which is exactly why it works as a social game. Everyone has the same chance going in, and the randomness keeps it fair.
That said, understanding the scoring math behind favorable numbers adds an extra layer of appreciation for the game within the game. If your pool allows trading or if you are buying extra squares, knowing that 0-7 is significantly more valuable than 5-9 can inform those decisions. For anyone who wants to go beyond squares and explore more strategic NFL wagering, our guides to spread betting and prop bets are a good next step.
Super Bowl Squares FAQ
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