Football squares is a popular game played during large football events, such as the Super Bowl, where participants purchase random squares on a grid and hope to win money based on the score outcomes of the game.
Football squares are often played during the Super Bowl, but can also be used during other large football games, such as college football playoff games, and is often used for school or sports fundraising.
While participants can’t choose the “numbers” they get when picking squares, as the numbers are generated after all the squares have been purchased, there are still numbers that are considered the best and worst when playing.
Here’s why getting a lucky number 7 or 3 might end up in a big payout – and why a 2 might leave you with worse odds of a win.
How Does Football Squares Scoring Work?
Football squares usually begin with a blank 10×10 grid of squares, and participants will choose and purchase their desired amount of squares, choosing squares randomly on the grid. Although the choice seems blind, some players may opt to choose specific squares such as a middle square or end squares for luck.
Once all of the squares have been selected by participants, numbers 0 through 9 are randomly assigned to each row and column on the grid. The columns will represent one of the playing football teams, and the rows will represent the other. The numbers 0 through 9 along the row and column will coincide with the last digit of the respective team’s score.
For example, if at the end of the Super Bowl the Kansas City Chiefs score is 24 and the Philadelphia Eagles score is 27, the square which is located at the intersection of the 4 in the Chiefs column/row and the Eagles 7 column/row will win.
Many football squares games will have more than one winner, with someone winning at the end of each quarter based on the teams’ scores.
What Makes a Good or Bad Number in Football Squares?
Even though technically you never know what number(s) your square(s) will end up with when playing football squares, there are still statistically good and bad numbers when it comes to winning that you can look out for once the grid has been set and numbers have been randomly assigned.
Good numbers in football squares are based on the frequency of score endings in football based on historical scoring patterns. If you look at football game scoring, the typical increments are 3 and 7 – 3 for a field goal, and 7 for a touchdown including the PAT, point after touchdown (touchdowns are worth 6 points, and a PAT is worth 1 point).
This means that increments and combinations of 3 and 7 often result in the best last digit numbers for football squares.
What Are the Best Numbers for Football Squares?
Based on historical trends, the best numbers to have in football squares are: 0, 3, 4, and 7. These numbers reflect some of the most common football game scores, which include 10, 13, 14, 17, 31, 30, and 24.
Some example football squares winning combinations include:
- 7–0
- 0–7
- 3–0
- 0–3
- 7–3
- 4–0
If you end up with squares that have numbers which often represent multiples of typical football scoring such as 3 and 7, luck is on your side!
Winning Probability Chart of Football Squares Number Combinations
What Are the Worst Numbers for Football Squares?
Unusual scoring can definitely happen during a football game – a 2 point safety, a 6 point touchdown and a 2 point conversion, a 6 point touchdown and a missed PAT, for example – however, these occurrences are less common.
Based on historical data, the least favorable numbers you can have in football squares are 2, 5, 8, and 9. These numbers are considered the worst football squares numbers because they are harder to achieve due to more unusual scoring increments.
But don’t sweat it – if your square ends up with a 2-5, don’t give up just yet! Weird scoring combinations do occur during major football games more often than you think.
Ununsal Super Bowl Final Scores in the Last Decade
| Super Bowl | Year | Final Score | Note |
| LIII | 2019 | Patriots 13, Rams 3 | Lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history |
| LIV | 2020 | Chiefs 31, 49ers 20 | Chiefs’ comeback from a 10-point deficit in the 4th quarter |
| LVII | 2023 | Chiefs 38, Eagles 35 | First Super Bowl to feature a score combination of 8 and 5 |
| LIX | 2025 | Eagles 40, Chiefs 22 | Only the second occurrence of a 40-22 score in NFL history |
How Has Modern Football Scoring Changed Trends?
Even though you may have received a square with “bad” numbers historically, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance at winning.
Modern football scoring trends have certainly increased scoring variability and made it more possible for unlikely scoring combinations to occur in major football games.
For example, the increase in teams opting for 2 point conversions rather than settling for a 1 point PAT, or the uptick in the amount of PAT attempts that are blocked by opposing teams have made it much more plausible for unlikely last digit numbers to take the win.
Strategies for Choosing the Best Football Square Numbers
When you choose football squares, you’re in the dark about which numbers you’ll receive, as numbers are randomly assigned after all grid squares are filled. This can make it difficult to come up with a strategy that is sure to get you a win.
However, here are a couple of ways which you can (hopefully) increase your winning adds when it comes to football squares:
- Purchase multiple squares to increase your odds
- Choose squares in different rows/columns on the grid for more variability
- Try for corner or middle squares, which statistically may give you a better chance at winning!
The Best and Worst Football Squares Numbers
| Category | Numbers | Why |
| Best 🏆 | 0, 3, 4, 7 | Common scoring patterns |
| Decent 👍 | 1, 6 | Moderate Frequency |
| Worst 😬 | 2, 5, 8, 9 | Rare score endings |
Anything Can Happen in Football Squares!
Remember – football squares are largely a game of chance, so anything can happen. Even if you end up with a square with the “worst” numbers, you really never know!
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