How Squares Scoring Actually Works
Four chances to win. Automatic updates. Zero math required.
Forget calculating anything yourself. With Sportsball, scores update live, winners get notified instantly, and you just watch the game. Here's what happens behind the scenes.
The 30-Second Explanation
Here's all you need to know: look at the score, take the last digit of each team's points, and that's your winning square.
Example:
Score is Chiefs 24, Eagles 17
Last digits: Chiefs = 4, Eagles = 7
Winner: The square where row 4 meets column 7 (or vice versa, depending on which team is on which axis)
That's literally it. No spreads, no complicated math. Just match the last digit of each score to the grid.
When Winners Get Paid
Most squares games check for winners at multiple points during the game. This means you have FOUR chances to win from a single square!
🏈 End of 1st Quarter
Scores are usually low. 0-0, 0-7, 3-0 are common. If you've got 0s and 3s in your square, you're in good shape early.
🏈 Halftime (End of 2nd Quarter)
Scores open up. This is usually when the most varied number combinations start appearing.
🏈 End of 3rd Quarter
The game is heating up. Momentum shifts can create interesting score combinations.
🏆 Final Score
The big one! Often the largest payout. Includes overtime if the game goes to OT.
How Payouts Are Split
Different games split the pot differently. Here are the most common structures:
Common payout structures:
Equal Quarters (25% each)
- Fair and simple. Every quarter winner gets the same amount.
Weighted Final (10/15/25/50%)
- Builds excitement toward the end. Final score winner takes half.
Halftime/Final Only (50/50%)
- Just two payouts, bigger prizes.
Final Only (100%)
- Winner takes all. Maximum drama!
When you create a game on Sportsball, you pick the payout structure. Most people prefer paying out each quarter - it keeps everyone engaged the whole game!
What About Weird Situations?
Same winner multiple quarters?
Yep, it happens! If the score stays the same or repeats the same last digits, that square owner wins again. Lucky them!
Overtime game?
OT counts toward the final score. Whatever score ends the game determines the final winner.
Game gets postponed?
The game just moves to whenever it's played. Your squares stay valid.
Not all squares sold?
If an empty square "wins," the prize usually rolls to the next quarter or follows a house rule. Check your game's settings.
Why Auto-Scoring Changes Everything
Paper squares are fun, but someone's always stuck tracking scores and calculating winners. With Sportsball's live auto-scoring:
Scores update in real-time - Watch your board change as the game progresses
Winners get notified instantly - No waiting to find out if you won
Everyone can follow along - Mobile board means everyone sees the action
You just watch the game - Zero work for the host!
Seriously, this is the way squares should be played. No spreadsheets, no arguments about the score, no manual anything.