| 100% | ODDBALL | 7 | Eccentric sort … or a "sport" where one might make the plays at 19-, 27- and 44-Across? |
| 38% | SWORDSWALLOWING | 15 | Activity one might see at a circus ... or in the Across answers containing circles? |
| 38% | INJEOPARDY | 10 | At risk … or where one might hear the clue-and-answer pairs at 17-, 23-, 39-, 41- and 53-Across? |
| 36% | TRYOUT | 6 | Where one may or may not make the cut |
| 34% | FINISHINGSCHOOL | 15 | Where one might learn etiquette ... or a hint to the answers to starred clues |
| 33% | LUGE | 4 | Winter Olympic sport which is also a small one or two person sled that rhymes with "huge" and was first played in the 1870s |
| 33% | BADMINTON | 9 | Sport played with a shuttlecock where players hit it back and forth in an attempt to make the other side miss |
| 32% | DOH | 3 | Cry from Homer … or a phonetic hint to the ends of 18-, 27-, 48- and 62- Across |
| 32% | HAUNTEDHOUSE | 12 | Halloween attraction, or what 19-, 27-/32-, and 42-Across all might be a part of? |
| 32% | POOLPARTY | 9 | Gathering where one might make a splash |
| 31% | CARDHOLDER | 10 | One with credit ... or a literal hint to 17-, 27- and 44-Across |
| 31% | SURFING | 7 | Beach sport where one may "catch a wave" |
| 31% | SIDESALAD | 9 | Dish that may accompany a main course, and what can be found at the start of 17-, 25-, 38-, or 53-Across? |
| 31% | BACKROOM | 8 | Where shady deals may be made, and a hint to the ends of the starred answers |
| 31% | DODGEBALL | 9 | Gym sport where teams throw a spherical plaything at the opposite team to eliminate them, often played at 14d |
| 30% | BASEBALLGAME | 12 | Where one might witness a hit and run? |
| 30% | KARAOKEBAR | 10 | Where one might have a mic and a Michelob |
| 30% | RST | 3 | Where one may watch a play in Stratford: Abbr. |
| 30% | CANYOUBELIEVEIT | 15 | "Isn't that mind-blowing?!" … or a question one might ask about 17-, 28- and 44-Across |
| 30% | ARENA | 5 | Where one might enjoy a match or a music concert |
| 30% | ORGANIST | 8 | One may play at a ballpark |
| 30% | DELI | 4 | Where you might find the starts of 18-, 26-, 44- and 59-Across |
| 30% | BOUNDTOHAPPEN | 13 | Inevitable ... or a hint for 19-, 27- and 48-Across |
| 29% | ARCADE | 6 | Locale where one might play "Donkey Kong" or air hockey |
| 29% | PENDANT | 7 | One might have a cameo at the end |
| 29% | SEAL | 4 | One may have a ball at the circus |
| 29% | USER | 4 | One may have a password at the ready |
| 29% | IMONYOURSIDE | 12 | Words of full support, or a hint to the ends of 20-, 27-, 35- and 48-Across |
| 29% | THATSMYJAM | 10 | “I love this song!” . . . or a hint to the starts of 17-, 27-, 39-, and 52-Across |
| 29% | THREEON | 7 | Bases loaded ... or a hint to the contents of 17-, 26-, 44- and 56-Across |