Super Bowl Squares: How They Work & How To Bet

Picture this: a 10-by-10 grid where rows and columns are numbered 0 to 9. One of the Super Bowl competitors is listed across the top of the columns and the other along the rows.

Although the numbers can be randomly assigned in more casual settings, let’s pretend they’re listed in standard counting order (0, 1, 2, etc.).

In this scenario, the intersection of the second row and the second column would be 1:1. The intersection of the sixth row and sixth column would be 5:5.

Following so far?

Each square relates to an outcome at a significant juncture in the game, either at the end of a certain quarter, half or the full game (depending on the chosen market — there should be a description at the top of the betting menu).

To participate, all a bettor needs to do is pick the square that you believe will win. It could be 4:9, 8:2, 7:7 or anything their heart desires.

Any number that isn’t the final (or right-most) digit in the score is irrelevant — all that matters is that the number in the bettor’s square matches the last digit on the scoreboard. The catch is that both teams must match the selected square’s score for the bet to cash.

Let’s look at Super Bowl LVII as an example. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles were tied 7-7 after the first quarter, so anyone who chose a first-quarter square of 7:7 won their square.

If the score had been 17-17, the bet still would have cashed since the last digit in each score matched the 7:7 square. The same goes for 27-27, 37-37 and yes, 107-107 (which would be entertainment in its purest form).

If Philadelphia had made a field goal and ended the quarter leading 10-7, then a square with Eagles 0:7 Chiefs would have won instead of the 7:7 square. The same goes for Eagles 20-17 Chiefs, Eagles 0-47 Chiefs and so on.

The Eagles were winning 24-14 at the end of the first half, meaning a 4:4 bet would’ve cashed for all end-of-first-half squares. The same would apply if the score were 4-4 (an eight-safety thriller), 14-14, 34-34 – you get the idea.

Remember the New England Patriots’ wild comeback from 28-3 down against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI? Even the strongest Falcons supporters could have offset the heartbreak from the loss by cashing in on Super Bowl squares.

The game ended 34-28 in favor of the Patriots. Based on that, all end-of-game squares that corresponded to Patriots 4:8 Falcons cashed. However, all squares corresponding to Patriots 8:4 Falcons were graded as losers since the numbers were correct but were assigned to the wrong team.

Prizes can vary in amount and method of dissemination.

One way to determine the prize structure is to charge a flat amount for each square and award the winner the cost of every square once the entire board is filled. For example, if a square costs $10, there are 100 squares available and 100 participants, the prize would be $1,000.

Another way to determine the prize for Super Bowl squares is to add the total amount of wagers placed, split them into four (one for each quarter of the game) and give each end-of-quarter winner their 25% split of the whole pot. These methods are common in office parties, friendly get-togethers and unofficial contests.

However, sportsbooks often don’t take such a balanced approach. Instead, squares either differ in cost or have different payout odds depending on the likelihood a particular square wins, just like they would for a standard wager in a major market.

For example, a square involving the number two (an unusual outcome) might have longer odds than a square with seven — the most common scoring denomination in the NFL.

The payout method should be specified by a sportsbook (if not implied by betting odds).

Sharp sports bettors will know that the number assigned to a spread can make all the difference in the world. A line of +2.5 isn’t that significant in NFL betting since there are rarely two-point scores (safeties), but a line of +3.5 is important since three points (field goals) is a common scoring denomination.

The three critical numbers in NFL betting are three, six and seven — the most common scoring outcomes. Ten, 13, 14, 17 and 20 can also be considered important (but not quite critical) since they are combinations of common scoring denominations.

The same rule applies for Super Bowl squares — three, six and seven are common occurrences. Zero, one and four are more common than three, but less common than six and seven.

Traditional logic suggests that betting a square with a combination of those numbers gives a bettor the best chance to win. However, those squares typically have shorter odds than others, meaning there’s less bang for your buck. That’s part of the risk-reward factor bettors must consider before selecting their squares.

History and Trends

Below is a complete breakdown of how frequently a number between 0 and 9 appeared in an end-of-game Super Bowl square (meaning it was the final digit in a team’s score) leading up to Super Bowl LVIII.

• 0 – 15 (13.2%)
• 1 – 16 (14%)
• 2 – 4 (3.5%)
• 3 – 12 (10.5%)
• 4 – 15 (13.2%)
• 5 – 6 (5.3%)
• 6 – 10 (8.8%)
• 7 – 20 (17.5%)
• 8 – 7 (6.1%)
• 9 – 9 (7.9%)

Statistically, the most common Super Bowl square is 7:7. A 17.5% chance that one seven occurs means there’s a 3.1% chance of a 7:7 square. That introduces a new variable, however, since end-of-game squares with the same number cannot be produced in tied games.

Therefore, all scores of 7-7, 17-17, 27-27, 37-37, etc., would not be included in that Super Bowl square since the Super Bowl cannot end in a tie.

These numbers look different for every quarter. Zero is the most common outcome for first-quarter squares, with nearly half of the teams that played in the Super Bowl registering a scoreless first quarter.

Recent Super Bowls also strayed from the usual standards. Of the last 10 Super Bowls, the most common end-of-game square was three, which hit five times (25%), while eight hit four times (20%).

Seven, the most common outcome in Super Bowl history, did not hit once. Zero, one and four all hit three times (15%).

Betting on squares can be more than a shot in the dark. In fact, oddsmakers will tell you their favorite square based on the spread and Over/Under.

The Kansas City Chiefs are facing the San Francisco 49ers in this year’s Super Bowl. The spread is 49ers -1.5 with an Over/Under of 47, so the oddsmakers expect the game to finish 49ers 24.25, Chiefs 22.75 (49ers win by 1.5 in a game with 47 total points).

The implication is that the most likely Super Bowl square to win is either 49ers 5:3 Chiefs or 49ers 4:3 Chiefs. There’s no guarantee either square will win, but it can serve as a reference point for bettors when they make their picks.

Squares are a fun way of placing atypical yet simple bets that aren’t determined by which team wins the game. They depend on the final digit in each team’s score and allow bettors to try to pick the final score (but with less risk than an exacta).

The best way to be competitive in squares betting is to remember the value of critical numbers, follow the trends and use the information provided by the oddsmakers.

Now that you’re armed with the tools you need to bet on Super Bowl squares, go out there and win.