Football squares, also known as football blocks or Super Bowl squares, is a popular betting pool that many people enjoy during the NFL season, particularly on Super Bowl Sunday. Managing a football squares pool can be a daunting task, but with a printable football squares template in Excel, you can make the process much easier and more enjoyable. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to create and manage a football squares pool using an Excel template.
The Basics of Football Squares
Before we dive into the Excel template, let's cover the basics of football squares. A football squares pool is a type of betting pool where participants buy squares on a 10x10 grid, with numbers 0-9 on each axis. At the end of each quarter, the score of the game is used to determine the winner of that quarter. The winner is the person who owns the square that corresponds to the last digit of each team's score.
For example, if the score at the end of the first quarter is 14-7, the winner would be the person who owns the square that corresponds to the number 4 (for the 14) and the number 7. This process is repeated for each quarter, with the winner of each quarter receiving a payout.
Creating a Football Squares Template in Excel
Now that we have covered the basics of football squares, let's create a printable football squares template in Excel. To start, open a new Excel spreadsheet and set up a 10x10 grid using the following steps:
- Select the entire spreadsheet by pressing Ctrl+A.
- Go to the "Home" tab and click on "Format as Table."
- Select the "Grid" option and choose a style that you like.
- Go to the "Layout" tab and click on "Gridlines."
- Make sure that the gridlines are set to "Display gridlines."
Once you have set up the grid, you can add the numbers 0-9 to each axis. To do this, follow these steps:
- Select the first row of the grid by clicking on the row number.
- Go to the "Home" tab and click on "Number" in the "Number" group.
- Select the "Number" option and choose the "Custom" format.
- In the "Type" field, enter "0" and click "OK."
- Repeat this process for each row, entering the numbers 1-9.
Repeat the same process for the columns, entering the numbers 0-9.
Adding a Header Row
To make your football squares template more readable, you can add a header row that includes the following information:
- The name of the pool
- The date of the game
- The teams playing
- The payout structure
To add a header row, follow these steps:
- Select the first row of the grid by clicking on the row number.
- Go to the "Home" tab and click on "Insert" in the "Cells" group.
- Select the "Insert Sheet Rows" option.
- Enter the information you want to include in the header row.
Adding a Footer Row
You can also add a footer row that includes information such as the pool administrator's contact information and the rules of the pool.
To add a footer row, follow these steps:
- Select the last row of the grid by clicking on the row number.
- Go to the "Home" tab and click on "Insert" in the "Cells" group.
- Select the "Insert Sheet Rows" option.
- Enter the information you want to include in the footer row.
Managing the Pool
Once you have created your football squares template in Excel, you can start managing the pool. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure to keep track of who owns each square and how much they paid for it.
- Use the template to keep track of the score and the winner of each quarter.
- Use the payout structure to determine how much to pay out to the winner of each quarter.
- Consider using a random number generator to assign the numbers to each square.
Example of a Football Squares Template in Excel
Here is an example of what a football squares template in Excel might look like:
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
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0 | | | | | | | | | |
1 | | | | | | | | | |
2 | | | | | | | | | |
3 | | | | | | | | | |
4 | | | | | | | | | |
5 | | | | | | | | | |
6 | | | | | | | | | |
7 | | | | | | | | | |
8 | | | | | | | | | |
9 | | | | | | | | | |
Image: Football Squares Template in Excel
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to keep in mind when creating and managing a football squares pool:
- Consider using a different payout structure, such as a progressive payout or a winner-takes-all format.
- Use a random number generator to assign the numbers to each square.
- Consider adding additional rules, such as a "push" rule for ties or a "minimum score" rule to ensure that the pool is not too dependent on a single game.
- Use the template to keep track of the score and the winner of each quarter.
- Consider using a spreadsheet formula to automatically calculate the winner of each quarter.
Common Questions
Here are some common questions that people have when creating and managing a football squares pool:
Q: How do I determine the winner of each quarter? A: The winner of each quarter is determined by the last digit of each team's score. For example, if the score at the end of the first quarter is 14-7, the winner would be the person who owns the square that corresponds to the number 4 (for the 14) and the number 7.
Q: How do I manage the pool? A: You can use a spreadsheet to keep track of who owns each square and how much they paid for it. You can also use the spreadsheet to keep track of the score and the winner of each quarter.
Q: Can I use a different payout structure? A: Yes, you can use a different payout structure, such as a progressive payout or a winner-takes-all format.
Q: How do I assign the numbers to each square? A: You can use a random number generator to assign the numbers to each square.
FAQ Section
What is a football squares pool?
+A football squares pool is a type of betting pool where participants buy squares on a 10x10 grid, with numbers 0-9 on each axis. At the end of each quarter, the score of the game is used to determine the winner of that quarter.
How do I determine the winner of each quarter?
+The winner of each quarter is determined by the last digit of each team's score. For example, if the score at the end of the first quarter is 14-7, the winner would be the person who owns the square that corresponds to the number 4 (for the 14) and the number 7.
Can I use a different payout structure?
+Yes, you can use a different payout structure, such as a progressive payout or a winner-takes-all format.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to create and manage a football squares pool using an Excel template. With these tips and variations, you can create a fun and exciting betting pool that everyone will enjoy.