# How to split a squares pool payout (the common structures)

A squares pool pays per period, and the split is the one rule to write down before the first square is claimed. The common structures below are what offices actually use; the tool keeps the grid and names the winner of each period, and never holds or moves what the group agreed.

## The three usual splits

- Equal quarters: 25 / 25 / 25 / 25 percent of whatever the group agreed, one winner per period.
- Final-heavy: 20 / 20 / 20 / 40 percent, the final worth double, the most common office split.
- Half and final: 25 percent at the half, 75 percent at the final; simplest to run, fewer winners.

## Variants worth writing down

- Reverse squares: a second, smaller prize for the mirrored square (away digit on the rows, home on the columns).
- Touching squares: the eight squares around the winner share a small consolation; popular when many squares stay empty.
- An empty winning square: say in advance whether it rolls over to the next period or to the final.

## What the host does

- Enter the cumulative score at the end of each period; the board names the holder of the winning square at once.
- Bikoosh Pools never collects, holds or pays out money and never sets stakes: it keeps the grid, the picks and the standings for people who already know each other. Whether a pool carries any stake, and whether that is allowed where you are, is the host's responsibility.

## Quick answers

**What is the most common squares payout split?**

20 / 20 / 20 / 40 percent for the first quarter, the half, the third quarter and the final, with the final worth double; equal quarters (25 each) is the second most common.

**What happens if the winning square is empty?**

Whatever the pool's rules said before the lock: most pools roll an empty square's share over to the next period or to the final; write it down in the pool's notes.

**Does the tool handle the payout?**

Bikoosh Pools never collects, holds or pays out money and never sets stakes: it keeps the grid, the picks and the standings for people who already know each other. Whether a pool carries any stake, and whether that is allowed where you are, is the host's responsibility.

Start a pool: https://bikoosh.com/pools/new
Bikoosh Pools is an independent tool, not affiliated with any league, team or broadcaster; team and event names are used to describe the game being followed. Bikoosh Pools never collects, holds or pays out money and never sets stakes: it keeps the grid, the picks and the standings for people who already know each other. Whether a pool carries any stake, and whether that is allowed where you are, is the host's responsibility.