| 100% | CORNERSTORE | 11 | Local convenience ... or a hint to the words in the circled squares |
| 76% | HIDDENGEM | 9 | Masterpiece waiting to be found ... or a hint to the words in the circled letters |
| 73% | TENTOONEODDS | 12 | Big payout potential ... or a hint to the words in the shaded squares (and the clue numbers on which they begin!) |
| 72% | MILKSHAKES | 10 | Diner treats ... or a hint to what's happening to the words in the circled squares in this puzzle? |
| 70% | FOOLAROUND | 10 | Engage in some horseplay ... or a hint to the words spelled out in the circles |
| 70% | BEFOREHAND | 10 | Earlier ... or a hint to the words circled in 17-, 21-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 68% | ESCAPEACT | 9 | Houdini’s signature feat … or a hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| 67% | GREETINGCARDS | 13 | Hallmark products … or a hint to what to find in the circled squares |
| 66% | ROLLTHEDICE | 11 | Take a chance ... or a hint to the letters in the shaded squares |
| 66% | ONETWOTHREEKICK | 15 | Classic Xavier Cugat song ... or a hint to the invitation in the circled letters |
| 64% | ARTFORMS | 8 | Various creative mediums ... or a hint to variations found in the shaded squares |
| 63% | INNER | 5 | Private ... or a hint to the words spelled by the circled letters |
| 63% | ALLABOARD | 9 | Train conductor's cry … or a hint to each word in the answers to the starred clues |
| 62% | TNUT | 4 | Hardware fastener ... or a literal hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| 62% | PARTYDOWN | 9 | Really revel ... or a hint to the words formed by the circled letters |
| 62% | POSTOFFICEBOXES | 15 | Mail conveniences ... or a hint to eight squares in this puzzle |
| 62% | HIT | 3 | Success in the game 60-Across ... or a hint to interpreting the circled squares |
| 62% | SPREADTHEWEALTH | 15 | Redistributionist's catchphrase ... or a hint to the words formed by the circled letters |
| 61% | ITSALOTTOUNPACK | 15 | "So many layers here" … or a hint to the circled squares |
| 61% | SWITCHBLADE | 11 | Street weapon ... or a hint to the circled letters in this puzzle |
| 60% | COVERTOPERATION | 15 | Secret military mission ... or a hint to the circled letters in this puzzle? |
| 60% | NOWYOUSEEITNOWYOUDONT | 21 | Magic words … or a hint to the other long answers in this puzzle |
| 60% | DOUBLEORNOTHING | 15 | Risky wager ... with a hint to the letters in this puzzle's circled squares |
| 60% | MANSPREADS | 10 | Crowds one's seatmates, in a way ... or a hint to the circled letters |
| 60% | GREEKCROSS | 10 | Religious symbol resembling a plus sign ... or a hint to the three groups of shaded squares in this puzzle |
| 60% | UPLOADS | 7 | Puts on a server, say ... or a hint to the circled letters in this puzzle |
| 59% | BACKUPTHETRUCK | 14 | "Wait, what did you just say?," or a hint to the circled letters in this puzzle |
| 59% | BANANAGRAMS | 11 | Popular word game, or, read differently, a hint to the circled letters |
| 59% | ASABOVE | 7 | With 41-Across, philosophical principle in which Earth mirrors heaven … or a hint to the shaded squares |
| 59% | NAMECARDS | 9 | Labels at a dinner party ... or a hint to the circled letters hidden in the theme answers? |