How Squares Work

What's a Squares Game?

A 10x10 grid with 100 boxes. Everyone claims their boxes—one, five, ten, however many they want. One team gets assigned to the rows, the other to the columns. That's it.

How Numbers Work

After everyone picks their boxes, numbers 0 through 9 are randomly assigned to each row and column. Your box now has two numbers—one from each axis. The randomness keeps it fair.

How You Win

At the end of each quarter, look at the last digit of each team's score. Match both digits? You win.

End of Q3
Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs
24
San Francisco 49ers 49ers
17
Your box 4 7
= Winner!

Reverse Winners

Some squares offer reverse payouts—an optional twist that doubles the winning chances. If your numbers match but are flipped (you have Chiefs 4, 49ers 7 but the score ends Chiefs 7, 49ers 4), you win the reverse payout. It's a fun way to add more excitement without changing the core game.

Payouts

Four quarters means four chances to win. At the end of each quarter, whoever owns the box matching that score gets paid. The host decides how the pot splits—most setups weight the final score heaviest.

Here's a standard split for a $1,000 pot:

$10/box × 100 boxes

$1,000
Winners
$1,000 (100%)
1st Quarter $125
Halftime $250
3rd Quarter $125
Final $500

Running a fundraiser? Hosts can allocate a percentage to their cause:

Fundraiser Example

$1,000
Winners
$500 (50%)
1st Quarter $62.50
Halftime $125
3rd Quarter $62.50
Final $250
Goes to Cause
$500 (50%)

Not playing for money? Squares work just as well for bragging rights—trash talk is always free.

Why It's Fun

Everyone has the same odds. Your friend who doesn't watch football suddenly cares about that third-quarter field goal. That's the magic.

Ready to Try It?

Your first square is free. Pick a game and share the link.

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