How to Set up a Football Pool

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Organizing a football pool for big games, especially The Super Bowl, is a much-beloved pastime for many football fans. Whether you're having a football party, or just organizing an office football pool, this article will explain how to set up a football pool, determine who wins, and provide advice on how to split up the pot.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. In some American States, laws are in place banning any form of gambling , including pools that result in no profit to the organizer. If this is the case, you won't be able to do this for financial reward, or involving money. [1]
    • If playing for money is not permitted, play for something else, such as simply winning and being able to brag! It can still be a good excuse for a party.
  2. Draw a grid on thick cardboard that consists of 10 rows across and 10 columns high. Use a ruler to keep it straight. Make sure there is adequate space for names or initials in each of the squares. [2]
    • Alternately, print off a football pool grid. These can be found doing an online search (look for "printable football grid" to find one) and can be printed off on an 8-1/2 inch x 11 inch (21.5cm x 27.9cm) piece of paper, consisting of 100 squares.
    Advertisement
  3. Down one side of the grid, write one team's name, and write the other team's name across the top of the grid. [3]
  4. Decide the pricing and winnings . You'll need to decide how much to charge per square and how to pay out the pot.
    • Pricing the squares: A usual price is $1.00 per square, for a total pot of $100.00.
    • Paying out the pot: The most common way is to pay something at the end of each quarter. You can decide what percent of the pot will be paid out each time. For example, 25 percent after the 1st quarter, 25 percent after the 2nd quarter and so on until 100 percent of the pot is paid out. Large Super Bowl Pools cost can $100 per square,(for a total pot of $10,000) and pay $100 for every score change. For example, at the beginning of the game, the person with 0-0 gets $100. If the first score is a touchdown, then the person with the correct 6-0 gets $100. If the PAT is good, then the person with 7-0 gets $100, and so on. You can pay $500 for the first three-quarter scores, then pay the handsome balance to the person with the correct final score.
  5. "Sell" squares on the grid until all 100 squares are filled in with the buyer's name. Buyers can purchase multiple squares.
  6. Create 10 small squares of paper and then write one number (zero thru nine) on each piece of paper. Fold the 10 squares and put them into something to draw from, like a hat or an ice cream container.
    • Choose somebody to draw one number at a time.
    • As the numbers are drawn out, fill them in across the top, starting from left to right.
    • Fold them back up and do the same for the left side, top to bottom.
    • When finished, the numbers will be in random order across and down the grid.
  7. Place the original grid where everyone can see it, especially if you're having a party, and have someone responsible for keeping it updated.
  8. A very common way is to use the "last digit" method. Basically, take the last digits of each team's score and find where those numbers intersect on the grid. For example, if the final score is A's 19 and F's 12, line up the 9 from the 19 of the A's and the 2 from the F's side. The intersecting square when you draw your fingers down and across from 9 and 2 is the winner. (This is the exact same method used for reading a street map.)
  9. Enjoy the game and pay out the pot as decided.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I determine the winner of a tiebreaker?
    Community Answer
    Play the same game one more time and whoever wins out of the three or two is the winner. Or, play rock, paper, scissors.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 11
  • Question
    Does the home team go on the top?
    Community Answer
    Yes, the home team always goes on top. In the Super Bowl, the home team switches from AFC to NFC every year. Odd number Super Bowls are NFC home team, and for even number Super Bowls, the AFC is the home team.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 11
  • Question
    Does it matter which team goes on the side or top?
    Community Answer
    It used to be the winner of the prior seasons Pro Bowl. But recently Pro Bowl roster set ups were changed. This method is no longer a way to determine which team goes up top. Except maybe, for example, 2015 Team Irvin (Dallas) NFC, and Team Rice (retired a Bronco) AFC. So Team Irvin won making the top position the NFC, and Side AFC.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If there aren't enough of you to take all the squares on a 10x10 grid, make a 5x5 one instead. If you do this, draw two numbers per square across the top and down the side.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Markers
      • Thick cardboard or poster board
      • Ruler
      • Scissors
      • Paper
      • Hat or ice cream container
      • Poster tack for pinning up
      • Party snacks and drinks
      • TV

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play Football Squares
      How to
      Get Super Bowl Tickets
      How to
      Buy Liverpool Tickets
      How to
      Choose a Favorite Football Team
      How to
      Watch Football (Soccer)
      5 Ways to Remove Yourself from a Fantasy Football League
      How to
      Play Fantasy Football
      13 Perfect Outfits for Football Games
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.araglegal.com/individuals/learning-center/topics/in-trouble-with-the-law/is-participating-in-office-pools-a-safe-bet
      2. ↑ https://www.punchbowl.com/p/how-to-set-up-a-super-bowl-pool
      3. ↑ https://www.punchbowl.com/p/how-to-set-up-a-super-bowl-pool
      4. Original source of article Sandee Lembke from http://www.theme-party-queen.com , shared with permission.

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 299,747 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement