Football Squares Office Pool
A football squares office pool takes about 10 minutes to set up and gives the whole team a reason to follow the game. This guide covers grid size, prizes, remote staff and the rules that keep it fair.
What is a football squares office pool?
It is a football pool that needs no football knowledge. Coworkers take squares on a grid, numbers are drawn at random, and the score at the end of each quarter picks 4 winners. Everyone has the same chance, so new fans and experts play on equal terms.
How do you run a football pool with squares at work?
Pick a game, choose a grid size that fits your headcount, and share the grid. Let people take squares until it is full, then draw the numbers where everyone can see. Post the winners after each quarter. One person should act as host and keep the rules in one place.
- Check that your workplace allows a pool, and whether it must be free.
- Choose the game and tell people the date.
- Pick the grid size from the table below.
- Share the grid: send a link from the online generator, or pin a printed grid in the break room.
- Post the rules and the prizes next to the grid.
- When every square is taken, draw the numbers.
- Announce the winner at the end of each quarter.
Which grid size fits your office?
Match the grid to the number of players, so every square gets filled. A 25 square grid suits a small team. A 50 square grid suits a department. The full 100 square grid works for 25 people or more, with each person taking between 1 and 4 squares.
| People playing | Grid | Squares per person |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 | 25 squares | 2 to 5 |
| 10 to 25 | 50 squares | 2 to 5 |
| 25 to 100 | 100 squares | 1 to 4 |
| More than 100 | 2 grids of 100 squares | 1 or 2 |
Should an office pool be free or paid?
Check your workplace policy first. Many employers do not allow paid pools, and state rules differ too. A free pool with small prizes is the safe choice at work, and it is just as much fun. If your office allows a paid pool, return all the money as prizes.
Prizes that work well at work: a team lunch, a gift card, a prime parking spot for a week, an early finish on Friday, or a small trophy that moves desks after each game.
How do remote and hybrid teams play football pool squares?
Use an online grid. The host shares one link in the team chat, and each person takes squares from a phone or laptop. Everyone sees the same grid, the numbers are drawn with one click, and the winners appear on the page when the grid is linked to an NFL game.
What rules keep an office pool fair?
Set a limit on squares per person, so a few people cannot fill the grid. Draw the numbers only when every square is taken. Post the rules and the prizes before the first square goes. Share the winner after each quarter, so nobody has to ask the host.
The football squares rules page has a short rules list you can copy into an email. For prize splits, see football squares payouts.
Can the office pool run every week?
Yes. A weekly pool keeps going all season with very little work. In the online generator, press New grid, same players after each game. The group standings then show who has won the most quarters, which gives you a season champion as well as weekly winners. Players need only the season link, which always opens the newest grid. The season-long football squares guide covers formats and prizes.
Football Squares Office Pool FAQ
Do you need to know football to play?
No. Players only pick squares. The numbers are random and the score decides the winners, so no skill is involved.
How many people do you need for an office pool?
As few as 2 and as many as 100 on one grid. Pick a 25 or 50 square grid for a small team.
How long does it take to set up?
About 10 minutes for the host. Filling the squares takes as long as your coworkers take to reply.
Is a football pool allowed at work?
That depends on your employer and on your state. Ask HR or your manager first. A free pool with small prizes is the simple choice.
What if not every square is taken?
Use a smaller grid, or let people take extra squares. Do not draw the numbers until the grid is full.
Who should be the host?
One person who keeps the grid, posts the rules and announces the winners. With an online grid, only the host can change it.
Can we use the same grid for college games?
Yes. The game works for any football game that is scored by quarter.
Start your football squares office pool
A football squares office pool works because it is quick, fair and open to everyone. Create a grid online for a remote team or print a grid for the break room. If you are new to the game, read how to play football squares first.
Football Squares Hub is an independent website. It is not affiliated with the NFL, the NCAA or any team.