How do you prevent players from “gaming the system”?
From: Dan – Houston, TX
Question: There's a lot of specific rules! How do you deal with players "gaming the system" or arguing about the intent of the rules? Are there referees/umpires?
Answer:
Great question, Dan! I’m not sure Four Square necessarily has more specific rules than other sports, but it’s definitely true that there are many different versions of the game and ways people play it. There isn’t really a single “right” or “wrong” way to play as long as everyone is having fun and the gameplay is fair and consistent.
When it comes to the World Championships specifically, because so many versions of the game exist, we try to be as clear and specific as possible with our rules. That helps prevent exactly what you’re referencing — players “gaming the system.” Four Square is just as strategic as it is athletic, and there are plenty of nuances that can come into play.
In fact, every year we tend to learn something new from the most recent World Championship. Sometimes that leads us to clarify an existing rule or occasionally add a new one. For example, heading into the 2026 World Championships we’re further clarifying the serving rules to prevent a server from aggressively slamming a serve at Square 1 in a way that goes against the spirit of the game.
That said, there are still aspects of the game that are difficult to regulate purely through written rules. A good example is “teaming up.” It can be very hard to determine a player’s intent in those situations. In cases like that, it becomes a judgment call by an official, similar to when an umpire in baseball has to decide whether a pitcher intentionally threw at a batter.
Speaking of officials, currently we have officials overseeing the Final Round of the World Championships in each division. Our hope is that as the event continues to grow, we’ll eventually be able to have more formal officials for earlier rounds as well.
Published: March 9, 2026
Could we host a casual Four Square event or try 9-square?
From: Joe - Lisbon, Maine
Question: Do you think we could create a Four Square event — not a championship, but more of a get-together — and attempt 9-square if there are enough people?
Answer:
That’s a great idea — and it’s exactly the kind of thinking we love to see. One of the biggest challenges with enjoying Four Square today is simply finding others to play. That’s why we created the Game Hub page on this site — be sure to check it out. The intent of the Game Hub is to help players connect, share ideas, organize casual meetups, and build local Four Square communities beyond the World Championship itself.
Informal events and get-togethers, including experimenting with larger and more unique formats like 9-square, are absolutely possible if there’s enough interest and space. The Game Hub already highlights some of these ideas, including our experiment with 8-square (Hardcore Rules).
Being based in Maine, there’s naturally a strong following of Four Square enthusiasts in the region, especially with the World Championship taking place nearby in Bridgton each year. That said, Four Square isn’t limited to one location. For example, where I’m located in central Massachusetts, we plan to host at least one open Four Square event every summer, welcoming anyone who wants to play.
Events like these are exactly how the game continues to grow, evolve, and bring people together. If you’re interested in organizing something similar in your area, the Game Hub is a great place to start — or try social media — and we’d love to hear about it.
Published: December 15, 2025
How many players can play at the same time?
From: Alex – Rochester, NY
Question: How many people can play in a game of Four Square at the same time?
Answer: Great question! A standard game of Four Square is played with 4 players on the court at a time — one in each of the four squares. When a player is out, they leave the court and go to the back of the line, while a new player steps into Square 1 (the lowest-ranked square), and everyone rotates up as the game continues. This rotation means that any number of people can participate over the course of a game.
That said, there are also fun variations! Some players use “Tag Team” rules, with two players sharing each square. Others create larger courts with 6 or even 8 squares, allowing more players to participate in each round. At major events like the Four Square World Championships, multiple courts often run simultaneously to make room for all the players.
Published: October 7, 2025