What Does ‘Circled Game’ Mean in Sports Betting?
A “Circled Game” is a game that a sportsbook has flagged as having a lot of uncertainty.
The sportsbook’s main way of protecting itself from this uncertainty is by lowering the betting limits.
If the normal limit for an NFL game is $5,000, a “circled game” might have its limit dropped to $500.
Why Do Sportsbooks “Circle” a Game?
It’s all about risk. If some major piece of information is still up in the air, the sportsbook doesn’t want to get stuck with a bunch of big bets on a “bad” line.
The most common reasons are:
- A Key Player’s Injury: This is the #1 reason. If a star quarterback (like Patrick Mahomes) is a “game-time decision,” the sportsbook will circle the game. The line with him playing is completely different from the line without him.
- Bad Weather: A major, unpredictable blizzard or a high-wind storm is forecast for an outdoor game, making the outcome (especially the Over/Under) a total guess.
- Suspensions or Other News: A last-minute suspension, a sudden trade, or any other breaking news that could dramatically change the matchup.
In the past, books in Las Vegas would literally draw a circle around the game on their big chalkboards to alert the ticket writers. Today, you’ll just see the lower limits on your app.
Once the uncertainty is gone (the star QB is officially ruled IN or OUT), the sportsbook will “un-circle” the game and restore the normal betting limits.