March Madness Squares Rules

1. Pool Format
   March Madness Squares uses a 10 × 10 grid containing 100 total squares. Each square represents a unique combination of numbers from 0–9 across the top and 0–9 down the side. Players claim one or more squares before the tournament begins.
   
   The grid numbers are randomly assigned to the rows and columns. Depending on the pool settings, these numbers may be revealed immediately or hidden until the tournament begins.
2. How a Winning Square is Determined
   For each game in the tournament, a winning square is determined using the last digit of each team’s final score.
   • The winning team’s score corresponds to the numbers across the top.
   • The losing team’s score corresponds to the numbers down the side.
   The square where those two numbers intersect is the winning square for that game.
3. Winning Multiple Times
   Squares remain active for the entire tournament. A single square may win multiple times throughout the tournament if its number combination matches the final score digits of multiple games.
4. Tournament Games
   March Madness Squares pools typically include games starting from the Round of 64 through the National Championship. Play-in games are not included unless explicitly configured by the pool manager.
   
   Each game produces one winning square.
5. Prize Distribution
   The total prize pool is usually determined by multiplying the cost per square by the 100 squares on the grid.
   
   In a March Madness Squares pool, the prize pool is typically divided evenly across all games included in the pool. Each game awards a prize to the square that matches the final score digit combination for that game.
6. Square Selection
   Players may select available squares until the grid is filled or until the pool manager closes the board. Once a square is selected and confirmed, it cannot be changed unless the pool manager manually adjusts the board.
7. Grid Locking
   The pool manager may lock the grid before the tournament begins. Once the board is locked, no additional squares can be claimed or changed.
   
   Locking the grid ensures all participants have finalized squares before games begin.
8. Tracking Wins
   The pool standings track how many games each player’s squares have won throughout the tournament. Players may win multiple prizes if they own squares that match multiple game results.
9. Manager Control
   The pool manager may control various settings including:
   • Cost per square
   • When grid numbers are revealed
   • When the board locks
   • Which rounds of the tournament are included