10 Football Squares Rules to Settle Before Kickoff
October 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Almost every argument in a squares pool is about a rule nobody agreed on. Settle these ten before the game and you will not have a single one.
- Is it for money? Decide first. Many groups play for prizes, a trophy or bragging rights. If money is involved, follow the laws and any workplace rules that apply to you. SquaresBets never holds anyone's money.
- How much is a square? Pick a price everyone is comfortable with, including the people who will take only one.
- How many squares can one person take? Many hosts cap it at 5 or 10 on a 100-square board so it stays fair. Announce the limit when you share the link.
- When does the board close? Set a deadline, such as the day before the game, and say when the numbers will be drawn.
- When are the numbers drawn? After every square is claimed, and before kickoff. Never earlier.
- How is the pot split? Common splits are 25/25/25/25, 20/20/20/40 and 20/30/20/30. Use the payout calculator to work out the amounts.
- Does overtime count? The usual rule is that the final prize goes to the score at the end of the game, including overtime.
- What if the board does not fill? Options: the host takes the leftover squares, the price per square goes up, or the board is cancelled and everyone is refunded. Decide before you start.
- Who pays whom, and when? Agree a payment date for squares, and when winners will be paid after the game. A host who tracks payments in the host panel avoids the "I paid you" conversations.
- Who is the host? One dependable person who can edit squares and enter scores. Keep the host link safe, and remember that the host can fix any score or square at any time.
Put the rules where everyone sees them
Write them in the board's host note, which is shown to everyone at the top of the board. A two-line version is enough: price, deadline, payouts and overtime.
Ready to run one? Make a free board or read how to play football squares.
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