You're sitting on the couch, beverage in hand, staring at a poster board covered in painter's tape and random numbers. It’s Super Bowl Sunday. Or maybe just a random Monday night matchup that suddenly feels like the seventh game of the World Series because you’ve got five bucks riding on a grid. Most people know how this works. You get a square, you hope the final digits of the score match your coordinates, and you win. Simple. But then someone mentions a football squares payout forward and backward rule, and suddenly, the math feels like it's spinning.
It’s basically a way to keep the game alive when the actual score is boring.
Let’s be honest. If you have the 2 and the 5 in a standard pool, you're usually cooked. When was the last time a game ended 22-15? Exactly. By introducing the "reverse" or "backward" payout, the pool organizer is essentially giving the "bad" numbers a fighting chance. It turns a static, often lopsided gambling tradition into something that feels more like a lottery where anything can happen until the final whistle blows.
Why a Football Squares Payout Forward and Backward Actually Matters
Standard pools are brutal. You get your numbers randomly assigned, and if you see a 9 and a 2, you might as well light your five-dollar bill on fire. Nobody wants to watch three hours of football knowing they have a 0% chance of winning.
The football squares payout forward and backward system fixes this by doubling the ways you can cash a ticket. In a traditional setup, if the score is AFC 17, NFC 10, the person sitting at the intersection of (7, 0) wins. Period. But with a forward and backward rule, the person holding (0, 7) also gets a slice of the pie. It’s a redistribution of wealth that keeps the room engaged.
Think about the psychology here.
Most office pools or bar grids lose half the "players" by the end of the first quarter because the score deviates too far from their numbers. If the score jumps to 14-0 quickly, anyone with a 2, 5, or 8 is mentally checking out to go grab more buffalo wings. By payout out both directions, you keep twice as many people staring at the screen. It’s better for the vibe. It’s better for the host.
The Math Behind the Reverse Payout
It isn't just "extra winning." It changes the payout structure entirely. Usually, a pool might pay out $25 per quarter. If you implement the football squares payout forward and backward, you’re likely splitting that $25. The "forward" winner (the actual score) might take $20, while the "backward" winner (the reverse score) takes $5. Or, more commonly in casual home games, it’s a 50/50 split.
Let's look at a real-world scenario.
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Imagine the score at the end of the half is Kansas City 13, San Francisco 10.
The "Forward" winner is the person with KC 3 and SF 0.
The "Backward" winner is the person with KC 0 and SF 3.
If the total pot for that quarter was $100, they each walk away with $50. Now, what happens if the score is 10-10? This is where people get confused. If the digits are the same—like 0 and 0 or 7 and 7—there is no "reverse" winner. Or rather, the forward and backward winner are the same person. In most house rules, that lucky soul just sweeps the whole pot for that period. It’s the ultimate "double dip."
Why Do People Call It "Reverse" Squares?
Terminology in the gambling world is never consistent. You'll hear it called "cross-overs," "mirrors," or "reverses." Regardless of the name, the intent is parity. According to historical scoring data from Pro Football Reference, certain number combinations like (7, 0), (0, 0), and (4, 0) appear with massive frequency due to the nature of touchdowns and field goals. Meanwhile, (2, 2) is a unicorn.
By allowing a football squares payout forward and backward, you are statistically smoothing out the "luck of the draw." You are making the (2, 5) square slightly less miserable because if the score hits 15-12, you're suddenly in the money.
How to Set Up the Payout Structure Without Losing Your Mind
If you're the one running the pool, you need to be crystal clear before the first kickoff. Nothing ruins a party faster than a dispute over twenty bucks. You have to decide: is the reverse payout equal to the forward payout?
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Honestly, most people prefer a 70/30 split. The person who actually "hit" the score feels like they deserve more than the person who won on a technicality.
- Write the rules on the side of the board.
- Use a sharpie.
- Explicitly state what happens during a "natural" double (like 0-0 or 7-7).
- Decide if this applies to every quarter or just the final score.
Some hardcore groups even do a "side pot" for the reverse. This means the main entry fee covers the forward score, and an optional extra dollar enters you into the football squares payout forward and backward pool. It adds a layer of complexity that some people love, while others—usually the ones who just want to drink beer—find it exhausting.
The "Inverse" Myth and Common Misconceptions
There’s a common mistake where people think "backward" means the score from the previous quarter. That’s something else entirely, often called "carry-over" squares. Backward strictly refers to the digits being flipped.
Another misconception is that this makes it easier to win. Technically, it doesn't change the odds of a square winning; it just changes which squares are viable. In a 100-square grid, there are 10 squares on the diagonal (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, etc.) that can't be "reversed." The other 90 squares all have a mirror image.
So, if you draw a diagonal square, you’re actually at a slight disadvantage in a split-payout game because you can never win the "reverse" half unless you're the primary winner. It’s a nuance that most casual players miss, but the "math guys" in your office will definitely complain about it if they draw the 7-7.
Real Examples of the Reverse Payout in Action
Let's take a look at Super Bowl LVII (Chiefs vs. Eagles).
The final score was 38-35.
In a standard pool: The winner is the person with Chiefs 8, Eagles 5.
In a football squares payout forward and backward pool:
- The Forward Winner: Chiefs 8, Eagles 5.
- The Backward Winner: Chiefs 5, Eagles 8.
Now, look at the end of the first quarter of that same game. It was 7-7.
- The Forward Winner: 7, 7.
- The Backward Winner: 7, 7.
In this case, the person holding the 7-7 square takes the entire pot for that quarter. They don't have to share. This is why the 0-0, 3-3, and 7-7 squares are the "Gold Mines" of the grid.
Is It Better for the Game?
Some purists hate it. They think it cheapens the win. "You didn't have the score, why should you get paid?" is a common refrain. But if you're running a game for a diverse group—family, coworkers, friends who don't know a nickel defense from a nickelodeon—the football squares payout forward and backward method is a savior. It keeps the "losers" interested. It prevents the mid-game slump where everyone stops looking at the board.
It’s also a great way to handle larger pots. If you’ve got a $1,000 pot, giving $500 to the winner and $500 to the reverse winner (or $750/$250) spreads the joy. It reduces the "all or nothing" saltiness that can sometimes perk up in high-stakes squares.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Square Pool
If you’re the organizer, don't just wing it. Complexity requires clarity. Use these steps to ensure the football squares payout forward and backward rules are a hit rather than a headache:
- Announce the Split Early: Tell everyone if it’s 50/50 or 75/25 before they buy in. This avoids the "I wouldn't have bought a square if I knew I had to share" comments.
- Clarify the "Double": Make it clear that if a score like 14-14 happens, the person with 4-4 gets both the forward and backward payouts.
- The "Final Score" Rule: Decide if the backward payout applies to the final score only or every quarter. Most successful pools do it for every quarter to keep the action moving.
- Visual Aids: If you’re using a digital spreadsheet, color-code the mirror squares. If you’re using a physical board, maybe draw a faint line connecting the mirrors (e.g., connect the 3-0 square to the 0-3 square).
- Handle the Money Instantly: In a split-payout game, pay out as soon as the quarter ends. It builds excitement and keeps people talking about the next "chance" to win.
The beauty of the football squares payout forward and backward system is that it turns a game of pure luck into a slightly more inclusive experience. It doesn't require any more skill—you're still just praying for a random digit—but it doubles the narrative threads you can follow during the broadcast. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or someone who just likes the commercials, having two ways to win is always better than one.
Next time you’re setting up the grid, try the reverse payout. It might be the thing that turns a quiet watch party into the loudest room in the neighborhood. Just make sure you’ve got enough small bills on hand to handle the splits.