Football Squares Strategy Guide: Tips for Winning Your Pool
Football squares is a game of chance—but like any game, understanding the structure can give you a small edge. In this guide, we'll cover strategic considerations for selecting your squares and what makes certain numbers more favorable once they're revealed.
Understanding the Basics
Before we get strategic, let's make sure we're on the same page with how football squares works:
- A 10x10 grid creates 100 unique squares
- Players pick squares without knowing the numbers assigned to rows and columns
- Once all squares are selected, numbers 0–9 are randomly assigned to each axis
- At the end of each quarter, the last digit of each team's score determines the winning square
Why Some Numbers Are Better Than Others
Once the numbers are revealed, you'll notice some combinations look more promising. That's because certain digits appear more often in football scores. Here's what to know:
High-Value Digits (0, 3, 7)
These show up frequently due to how football is scored:
- 0: Common in rounded scores like 10, 20, 30
- 3: Field goals are worth 3 points
- 7: Touchdown + extra point totals 7
Medium-Value Digits (1, 4, 6, 9)
These numbers are fairly common but a bit more situational.
Low-Value Digits (2, 5, 8)
Rare scores like 2-point safeties or quirky endings make these less likely.
Strategic Positioning: Picking Squares Before Numbers Are Known
Since you don't know the digits ahead of time, the key is distribution:
1. Spread Your Picks
Avoid clustering your picks together. Spread them across the board to increase your odds of hitting a good number combo.
2. Go for Corners or Diagonals
While the actual numbers are random, corner and diagonal squares often give a more even spread across scoring possibilities.
3. Avoid Clustering with Other Players
If you're playing competitively, it can help to avoid crowding the same rows/columns as others—especially in prize-based setups.
After Numbers Are Revealed: Assessing Your Chances
Now you can analyze your positions:
- Squares with 0, 3, or 7 in either axis are generally strong
- Combos like 3-0, 7-0, 7-3 are golden
- Use past NFL scoring patterns to estimate likelihoods
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Most Common Ending Digits |
|---|---|
| 1st | 0, 3, 7 |
| 2nd | 0, 3, 7, 4 |
| 3rd | 0, 3, 7, 1 |
| 4th | 0, 3, 7, 6 |
| Final | 0, 3, 7, 4 |
Final Thoughts: It's Still Luck—So Have Fun
No matter how strategic you get, football squares still comes down to chance. That's what makes it fun. Pick smart, but don't overthink it.
Want to learn more or share your own tactics? Join our community and swap ideas with fellow players.
Ready to put these strategies to the test? Create your own football squares board and start playing today!
