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Q: How are the winners squares marked? Is that done automatically?
A: There are a wide variety of options for declaring winners, and therefore we do not automatically mark winning squares. Instead, we give you the ability to mark winning squares however you'd like. Once the event assigned to the grid starts, you'll be able to click on a square and enter a brief message declaring it a winning square.
Q: How can I change my name that appears in the grid?
A: Entry names for our squares format can be changed on the 'My Pool Memberships' page using the 'Options' drop down on the right hand side.
Q: When do the numbers get generated on my grid? How can I show them now?
A: At any time, you can go to your grid settings (the gear icon on the grid), select the 'Show Grid Numbers NOW and lock grid' option and click Save Grid Settings. This will prevent any additions or changes to the grid and show the numbers along the horizontal and vertical axes. Note: This automatically happens when the event your grid is for begins. However, if your grid fills early or you know you will be getting no more squares filled, you can use this option.
Q: Once squares are picked and the grid is full, do the numbers that are generated change each week?
A: Yes. If you create a grid series, the horizontal and vertical numbers will be different every week. That way, while members retain the same boxes for the whole season, they will not have the same numbers the entire year.
Q: How do people pay to enter my pool?
A: While we have many people use our site for fundraising, we do not collect or distribute any money from participants ... we simply charge a small fee to you, the pool commissioner, for hosting the pool. Any fundraising you do will need to be collected outside of our website (possibly through PayPal or another service). You will have the ability to keep notes for each member on our website and can deactivate/delete members at any time. Just make sure you are in compliance with your local fund raising laws.
Q: How can I track payments on my squares grid?
A: If you are running a fundraiser using our Squares format and want to track donations, go to Grid Options -> Grid Settings and turn on the 'Track Fundraising Donations' setting. You can then return to the grid and toggle the $ icon.
Q: Do people need to join my pool in order to pick their squares?
A: The short answer is No. As the commissioner, you can manually enter squares for people by simply clicking on a square and selecting the "Assign to a Guest" option.
While it is preferable to have people register and join your pool to manage their own squares, we give you the option to skip this step, if you prefer.
Q: Is there a public version of the grid to which I can send to non-members?
A: Yes, we provide a link to your grid which does not require users to log in to our service. You can find this under the information (i) icon at the top of your grid.
Q: How does the payment work? How do members pay for squares and how does the commissioner pay out the money?
A: While we have many people use our site for fundraising, please be aware that we do not collect or distribute any money from participants...we simply charge a small fee to you, the pool commissioner, for hosting the pool.
Any fundraising you do will need to be collected outside of our website (possibly through PayPal or another service). You will have the ability to keep notes for each member. Just make sure you are in compliance with your local fundraising laws.
Q: What happens if all my squares aren't filled?
A: If you end up with empty squares make sure you formulate a plan in the case that a blank square wins (e.g. no one wins, first to the right wins, etc.). There are no settings for this. Just make sure to communicate your decision to your members.
Q: Can we pick a series of games or does it have to be 1 single game?
A: Any NFL game or game series—Run a grid for any NFL game, including the playoffs and Super Bowl. You can also set up a grid series automatically (e.g. all games for a specific team, every Monday Night game, etc.) with the option to copy picked squares from one grid to another.
Q: What are the number assignment options?
A: Grid numbers can be randomly assigned or custom assigned by the Administrator for each grid. The numbers will show automatically when the game assigned to the grid starts, or you can force them to show sooner under your grid settings.
Q: How can you see who won in the grid?
A: Once the game assigned to the grid starts, the pool commissioner can highlight a square as a "winning" square and enter a brief message.
Q: Are their different size grids that I can use?
A: Set your grid size (25, 50, or 100 squares), choose a single set of axis numbers or 4 sets (different numbers for each quarter), limit the number of squares members can pick, number the boxes, track fundraising donations, and more.
Note: Once picks are made on a grid, you can only increase your board (go bigger) and, you cannot create a smaller board with picks (go smaller). Members will need to remove their picks if you want a smaller grid.
Q: How does NFL Squares work?
A: The name of this type of pool comes from the 100 squares (10x10 grid) that comprise the pool's board (25 and 50 square grids are also available). Each row and column are assigned a number from 0 to 9, and pool members claim a square by putting their name in a box. While we provide flexibility in determining winning squares, most declare winners for each quarter of the NFL game, where the last digit of both NFL teams' score is compared to the grid to determine a winner.
Here is an example from Super Bowl XL between Seattle and Pittsburgh. The following is each teams score after each quarter:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
SEA | 3 | 3 | 10 | 10 |
PIT | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
In an NFL Square pool that only has one winner (for the final score of the game), the winner would be the member in the square where Seattle column with the #0 (the last digit in 10) intersects the Pittsburgh row with the #1 (the last digit in 21).
Note: The Pool Commissioner determines whether there are winners for each quarter, just the end of the game, or some other format.
Q: Does the grid go by 1 set of numbers?
A: You can customize this option within your commissioner console --> pool settings --> grid setting:
Q: Where can I find how to manually assign X & Y axis numbers or do it randomly?
A: You will go into your commissioner console --> pool settings --> grid settings --> numbers on the grid are:
Q: Can I edit how many users can pick a square?
A: Yes, you will go into your commissioner console --> pool settings --> grid settings --> max number of squares per member:
Note: You can choose from unlimited or up to 10 squares
Q: How can I view my current grid? How can I add a new grid?
A: You will go to your ribbon within your pool --> grid management --> view current grid to view your current grid.
You will go to your ribbon within your pool --> grid management --> add a grid.
Q: When does my pool lock?
A: Your pool locks when you have 10 squares picked within your pool. Once payment is made, your pool will be unlocked for you and your members.