How to play Super Bowl Squares 2025

The Super Bowl is just around the corner, and whether you’re rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles, or simply enjoying the commercials and halftime show, adding a Super Bowl squares game to your party can bring extra excitement to the big day. This guide will explain how to set up and play a Super Bowl squares game, along with tips on using a spreadsheet to make managing the game easier.

What Is a Super Bowl Squares Game?

Super Bowl squares, also known as "box pools," is a fun and easy game of chance that requires minimal preparation and guarantees engagement throughout all four quarters of the game. It works by filling a 10x10 grid with 100 squares, each representing a potential score combination for the game. Participants buy squares, and the winners are determined by the last digit of each team’s score at the end of each quarter and the final score.

Setting Up Your Super Bowl Squares Game

1. Create the Grid

The first step is creating the 10x10 grid. You can do this on paper or, better yet, use a spreadsheet for ease of organization. Here’s how it works:

• Label the rows from 0 to 9 across the top (representing the last digit of the Philadelphia Eagles’ score).

• Label the columns from 0 to 9 along the side (representing the last digit of the Kansas City Chiefs’ score).

Each square in the grid represents a unique combination of the teams’ scores. For example, the square at row 3, column 7 corresponds to an Eagles score ending in 3 and a Chiefs score ending in 7.

I've already taken care of this step and made it as easy as possible to play. First, choose which of my spreadsheet templates you want to use:

• 2025 Super Bowl Squares - 54 Ways to Play

Released in 2021, this is the more "classic" and straightforward way to play. When you first open the sheet, it has a nice clean look with only one sheet visible. You select the options for how you want to play, click Generate Squares, and it sets up the sheet exactly for the version you want to play. The way it works is all the scoring systems are already built into the sheet. If you go to the Squares or the Manager sheet you will find many hidden rows or columns. The Generate Squares macro simply hides or unhides the data based on the user’s selections.

• Super Bowl LVIII Squares Unlimited

54 ways to play apparently wasn't enough as I still received numerous requests for customizations and more features. This lead to the creation of a new approach to the template: Super Bowl Squares Unlimited. The main difference in how it works is there are no pre-built scoring systems. Instead, they are built on the fly by macros based on the user's input; therefore there are an infinite number of ways to play.

2. Sell the Squares

Invite your friends, family, or colleagues to buy squares in the grid. You can set a price per square (e.g., $1, $5, or $10), which will determine the total prize pool. Participants can claim squares by writing their names in the chosen boxes if using paper, or you can type their names into the cells of your spreadsheet.

3. Assign Numbers Randomly

To keep the game fair, wait until all the squares are filled before assigning the numbers 0-9 to the rows and columns. This ensures no one can strategically pick a square based on the scores. Since my spreadsheets are macro-enabled, just click the "generate random numbers" button. Easy!

Playing the Game

Once the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles kicks off, here’s how the game unfolds:

1. Check the Scores Each Quarter At the end of each quarter (first quarter, halftime, third quarter, and final score), take note of the last digit of each team’s score. For example, if the Eagles are leading 17-14, the numbers to look at are 7 (Eagles) and 4 (Chiefs).

2. Find the Winning Square Locate the square where the row for the Eagles’ last digit intersects with the column for the Chiefs’ last digit. The name in that square is the winner for that quarter.

3. Distribute the Prizes Divide the prize pool among the winners. A common distribution is 20% of the pot for the first three quarters and 40% for the final score. However, you can adjust the percentages as you see fit.

Why Use a Super Bowl Squares Spreadsheet?

Using a spreadsheet offers several advantages over a paper grid:

• Organization: A spreadsheet keeps all the names, squares, and scores neat and tidy, reducing the chance of errors.

• Accessibility: If your participants are remote, you can share the spreadsheet via Google Sheets or email so everyone can follow along.

• Customization: You can add features like automatic highlighting of winning squares or formulas to calculate payouts.

• Eco-Friendly: Going digital eliminates the need for printing paper grids..

Tips for Hosting a Successful Super Bowl Squares Game

• Keep It Fun: Make sure everyone knows it’s a game of chance and keep the focus on having fun.

• Communicate Clearly: Share the rules and payout structure before the game starts.

• Engage Everyone: Include participants who might not be big football fans—this game is simple enough for anyone to enjoy.

Start Playing 2025 Super Bowl Squares Now!

Playing a Super Bowl squares game is a fantastic way to enhance your watch party for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles showdown. Using a spreadsheet simplifies the setup and management, allowing you to focus on the game, the snacks, and the company. So, gather your friends, set up your grid, and get ready to cheer for every touchdown, field goal, and winning square!

Download 2025 Super Bowl Squares here

*If you’re using iOS or cannot enable macros you will not be able to use this sheet, sorry. There is a simple printable PDF in the download and there is a Google sheet.

You also might need to make sure the folder the spreadsheet is downloaded to is a Trusted located in Excel. See this article for how to check.

Let me know in the comments below what version of the squares template you'll be using and what team you're rooting for! Man, I wish we had the Detroit Lions or Washington Commanders to root for...

2024 College Football Bowl Pick'em and Playoff Bracket

It's the most wonderful time of the year - college football bowl season! The college football conference championships were played this past weekend which means the 2024 NCAA college football bowl season is here again. It’s time to make your picks and predictions about who you think will win each bowl game. One of the best times of the holiday season is being able to talk trash to your relatives about their terrible bowl picks.

This year has the added bonus of the new, expanded college football playoff - growing from four to twelve teams. As such, I've included a college football playoff bracket within this Excel file. There is the option to play just the bowls, just the playoff bracket, or both! If you've used my Super Bowl Squares template, you'll be familiar with how it works - there is a setup screen where you pick your options then click a button and the spreadsheet adjusts to how you want to play.

The bowl prediction sheets include the football helmet designs for every team (taken from my college football helmet schedule spreadsheet), their win-loss record, and the logo for all bowl games. I added the helmets so those players who aren't big college football fans can pick a winner based on their favorite helmet design!

There are multiple ways to play college football bowl pick'em. What I call "regular" is every game is worth 1 point. The other way I call Confidence Picks: each player "bet" points 1 to 35 on each game based on how confident they are their choice is correct. Player with the most points wins                 Example: player bets 35 points and gets it correct = 35 points. Bets 25 points on another game, gets it wrong = 0 points awarded.

For the college football playoff bracket, the pool manager can decide if each game is worth the same amount (1 point) or if each round the points increase: round 1 = 1 point, round 2 = 2 points, etc.

Download the 2024 CFP Bowl Prediction Pool Manager.xlsm file here

2024 College Football Bowl TRIVIA

• First year of 12 team playoff bracket
• 35 bowl games with 70 teams
• No teams with a losing record
• Best record: Oregon 13-0
• There are only 2 teams left in the Pac-12
• The Alamo Bowl features two teams from the same conference (Big 12 vs Big 12)
• 18 teams with 6-6 record (21 teams last year)
• 21 teams with double digit wins (23 in 2023,  16 in 2022, 23 in 2021, in 2020 there were 5, 22 in 2019)
• One loss teams: Army, Indiana, Notre Dame, Boise State
• Lopsided matchups (in terms of records): Memphis 10-2 vs WMU 6-6, UNLV 10-3 vs Cal (6-6)

Download the CFP Pool Manager and Single Entry Form here

Have fun! As always, I welcome any feedback or ideas for improvement.

Generate A Random Number In Google Sheets

I was thinking about trying to transfer one of my most popular spreadsheet templates, Super Bowl Squares, from Excel to Google sheets. However, macros do not work in Google sheets. I was thinking about trying to recreate at least some of them, and the first problem to solve was how to make a random number generator script in Google Sheets.

Here's how you can create a Google Apps Script to generate random numbers between 0 and 9 in cells A1 to A9 without any repeats. 

Steps to Create the Google Apps Script:

1. Open your Google Sheet.
2. Click on Extensions in the menu.
3. Select Apps Script.
4. Delete any existing code in the script editor, and paste the following code:

function generateRandomNumbers() {
  // Create an array with numbers 0 to 9
  var numbers = Array.from({length: 10}, (_, i) => i);

  // Shuffle the array
  for (var i = numbers.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
    var j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
    var temp = numbers[i];
    numbers[i] = numbers[j];
    numbers[j] = temp;
  }

  // Get the active spreadsheet and sheet
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();

  // Place the shuffled numbers in cells A1 to A9
  for (var k = 0; k < 9; k++) {
    sheet.getRange(k + 1, 1).setValue(numbers[k]);
  }
}

5. Save the script by clicking the disk icon or pressing Ctrl + S. You can name it something like RandomNumberGenerator.
6. Close the Apps Script editor.
7. Back in your Google Sheet, go to Extensions -> Macros -> Import and then select your generateRandomNumbers function.

How to Run the Random Number Generator Script:

• To run the script, go to Extensions -> Macros -> generateRandomNumbers.
• The script will place random numbers between 0 and 9 in cells A1 to A9, with no repeats.

If this is your first time running the script, Google Sheets may ask you for permission to run the script. Approve the permissions to proceed. 

In my templates, I make macros easy to use by running them from a button click. Yes, you can run the script from a button in Google Sheets too! Here’s how you can set it up:

Step 1: Create the Script

1. Open your Google Sheet.
2. Click on Extensions in the menu.
3. Select Apps Script.
4. Delete any existing code in the script editor, and paste the script provided above.
5. Save the script by clicking the disk icon or pressing Ctrl + S.

Step 2: Add a Button to Google Sheets

1. Insert a Drawing (for the Button):

   • Go to your Google Sheet.
   • Click on Insert -> Drawing.
   • Click on the Text Box icon in the Drawing toolbar and draw a text box.
   • Type in a label for your button, such as "Generate Numbers."
   • Format the text and shape as you like.
   • Click Save and Close. The button will now appear on your sheet.

2. Assign the Script to the Button:

   • Click on the drawing (the button) you just created.
   • Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the button, and select Assign script.
   • In the text box that appears, type the name of your script function, which is generateRandomNumbersInRow.
   • Click OK.

Step 3: Use the Button

• Now, whenever you click the button, the generateRandomNumbersInRow script will run, and random numbers will be placed in the cells G3 to P3.

This provides a user-friendly way to trigger the script without needing to go through the menu every time. The first problem is solved! Onto the next one...

Weighted Olympic Medal Count 2024

In honor of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games currently being held Paris, France, I've updated my Microsoft Excel spreadsheet template for the medal count as I did for the 2022 Winter Games, 2020 (2021) Summer Olympic Games, 2018 Winter Olympics, 2016 Summer Olympic Games, 2014 Winter Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics. 

There are two primary methods most websites appear to be ranking the 2024 medal count. Most sites rank countries by the total number of Olympic medals won. Other sites, like the International Olympic Committee (or IOC) rank countries by their gold medal count. And others rank by other factors like per capita or GDP.

Pictured below is a bar chart showing all medals won for the top countries (as of the time of this posting on 2-14-22). The bar chart is created in Excel by highlighting the data then going to Insert>Bar>Stacked Bar chart. Change the colors of the bars by right clicking on them then use the drop down menu to select the data you want to change.

See the latest official medal count here.

I’ve devised my own ranking system to give each Olympic medal a weight where the silver is worth half a gold medal and a bronze is worth only a quarter of the gold. Based on this new scoring system, previous Olympic results suddenly became quite interesting. However, for the 2024 Summer Games not too much actually changes (so far, will revisit after more events are completed). The first five countries ranking is unchanged. It gets really interesting in the 25-35 range.

Download the 2024 Olympic Games medal count spreadsheet and see for yourself. 

I’ve shared my Olympic Medal Count spreadsheet and listed out the Olympic medals by country. How would you weight each medal against the others? Comment below and share any of your Olympic medal rating systems!

NFL 33 Pool Template

If you've been following me for any amount of time you know I love a good football spreadsheet game, like Super Bowl Squares or College Football Bowl Pick'em. Recently a reader made me aware of a new game I had never heard of before and I just had to turn it into an Excel template to play this fall.

Introducing the NFL 33 Pool spreadsheet!

Here's how to play: players are assigned an NFL each week of the 18 game season and if your team scores 33 points, you win!

But that's not all. If that was the only way to play the spreadsheet would have been far too simple to make. My Excel template allows the pool manager to select different options so you can play how you want to. 

First, select the number of players, which can be between 1 and 32. 

Second, choose if you want the target score to be the same every week, or change every week. 

Next, choose if the winner requires hitting the exact target score, whoever gets closest on a weekly basis, or add up the scores for the whole season. 

Finally, choose if you want players to keep the same NFL teams all season or to be assigned a different team every week.

How to Play NFL 33 Game

Watch the video below to learn how to play football 33 and see how the spreadsheet works:

How the NFL 33 Pool Spreadsheet Works

In the Pool sheet from column C to T a random number is generated. Each number corresponds to team on the Lists sheet. Change the numbers manually if you want to manually change the teams. Uses conditional formatting to turn cell green if scores exactly match. This sheet uses macros. Macros must be enabled. Document must be saved in trusted location. Go to Trust Center settings to modify if needed.

Download the NFL 33 Pool template here. 

Have you ever played a NFL 33 Pool game before? Is this your first time hearing about it? Let me know in the comments below.

Facebook Marketplace Sales Tracking Template Updated

 I've sold 227 items on Facebook marketplace. Here's what I've learned:

The day of the week when I make the most sales on Facebook marketplace is Wednesday, followed by Tuesday and Sunday. The worst day of the week for sales is Friday, followed by Saturday and Monday.

I've been selling on Facebook Marketplace since July 2020 and by far the best months for most sales have been November and December, with February and April being the worst.

56% of my sales have been picked up by the customer in-person, while 44% paid for shipping on top of the cost of the item.

The average length of time to sell an item on Facebook Marketplace is 112 days. The longest sale took 828 days (or 2.2 years)!

54% of customers will try to barter or negotiate a lower price than what you have initially listed the item for. On average, customers will try to reduce your price by 20%, so you should account for this when listing your items.

Example: if you want to make $50 off a product, list it for $60.

Do you want to track this data for yourself? 

Download my free Facebook Marketplace Sales Tracking spreadsheet here.

I recently updated my template. You can now use this one spreadsheet to track sales for various marketplaces, such as Mercari, Ebay, Craiglist, Whatnot, etc. Previously you had to manually drag down formulas and added new listings at the bottom. Now you simply click a button and a new row is automatically added via VBA macro at the top for you to add the listing info. All the data is in the Summary sheet and update automatically via Excel formulas.

Have you ever sold anything on Facebook Marketplace and if so do you track your sales? Have any tips for me or questions? Let me know via comment or email!

NFL Helmet Schedule 2024 Spreadsheet

 The 2024 NFL schedule was released yesterday and since I used my Excel skills to automate the creation of this spreadsheet I was able to create the NFL Helmet Schedule in less than a minute! All 32 teams, all 18 weeks of the season (now 17 games plus one bye week), all in one spreadsheet. But instead of looking like this boring mess:

You can see all 544 helmets!

Get the 2024 - 2025 NFL Schedule with Helmets here

Watch the video below to see just how easy it is to update the NFL helmet schedule spreadsheet since it has been automated:

As you can see, the NFL helmet schedule is printable too. You can save the spreadsheet as a PDF file or print it out and pin it up in your cubicle at work. If you do, please email or tweet me a picture of it hanging up - I'd love to see it!

Please note, an email is required to download it. I do this so you will be automatically updated you if changes or additions are made and will update you when the next year’s schedule is ready. I do not use your email for anything else.

As always, I welcome any comments or suggestions about how to fix or improve the sheet! How can I improve this football spreadsheet into something you’ll use all the time during pro-football season? What future features would you like to see?