Break Free: 8 Escape Room Tips to Solve Puzzles Faster

Still stumped from that last escape room? Step up your game! Solve puzzles quicker with these must-have escape room tips.

10:29 31 July 2019

Escape rooms have popped up all over the nation over the last few years — there are more than 2,000 of them nationwide — and tons of people are still flocking to them every weekend.

 

Are you getting ready for your first escape room? Do you want to increase your chances of getting out on time and avoid embarrassing yourself in front of your fellow participants?

 

If you're feeling a little anxious about your first escape room experience, keep reading. Listed below are some escape room tips that will help you break free in no time at all.

 

1. Avoid "Bunching"

One of the most common mistakes people make when they go into an escape room is "bunching." They break up into little clusters and don't work together with the entire team.

 

When this happens, it becomes harder to solve the entire puzzle because people aren't communicating with each other.

 

Instead of breaking up into smaller groups right away, try to get everyone to communicate together.

 

This is easier when you attend to escape room with people you know. If you're in a room with strangers, it's harder to bridge that gap and get on the same page.

 

2. Don't be Afraid to Ask for Clues

A lot of people wait until the last minute to ask for clues. They often do this because they assume it makes them "weak" if they ask for help at the beginning.

 

Asking for help right from the start allows you to begin the game on the right foot, though. If you get help at the beginning, you'll avoid wasting time and will be more likely to solve the puzzle before the clock goes off.

 

It's okay to put your ego aside and take advantage of the hints given to you. Remember, the host isn't going to judge or laugh at you for asking for the hints they have to offer.

 

3. Consider the Design of the Room

Be sure to keep the basic design of an escape room in mind.

 

In most cases, escape rooms are designed with "one lock, one use" policy. Basically, this means that, once you've found a use for a particular key or another clue, you won't have to sue it again. You can set it aside and move on.

 

Remember, too, that it's unlikely that you'll have to do anything super labor-intensive, such as looking at every page of a book or taking apart a piece of furniture.

 

The goal of these businesses is to get people in and out within an hour. It's not an efficient business model to make participants do super time-consuming projects that a worker will have to undo before the next round of guests arrives.

 

4. Choose a Project Manager

It's a good idea to elect a project manager when you first arrive at the escape room.

 

This person will not look for clues like the rest of the group. Instead, the other members will bring their clues to this person. They will then work on solving the clues and calling out instructions to the rest of the group. 

 

Having a project manager will help to move the game along and ensure no clues get left out or forgotten.

 

5. Conduct a Thorough Search

A lot of people make the mistake of overlooking certain hiding places during their search for clues. Some common places where clues tend to be hidden include:

• On top of bookshelves
  
  
• Inside of books
  
  
• Inside coat pockets
  
  
• Behind doors
  
  
• Attached to pillars
  
  
• On top of ledges
  
  

It's also common for there to be hidden compartments within walls or shelving units. Be on the hunt for signs of trap doors or secret storage spaces.

 

6. Don't Play Drunk

Don't go out for a round of cocktails and then arrive at the escape room facility. You'll have a much better and more successful experience if you do those things in reverse order.

 

Arrive sober and you'll be much more likely to solve the clues and get out of the room on your own. Then, you can go out for drinks after to celebrate your victory!

 

7. Choose the Simplest Solution

When it comes to escape room riddles and challenges, the simplest solution is often the correct solution.

 

Escape rooms are meant to be challenging, yes, but they're not meant to be impossible. Sometimes, people find themselves trapped inside a room because they make things harder than they have to be.

 

When it doubt or when you're struggling to choose between two options, pick the simpler one. More often than not, it's going to work in your favor.

 

8. Wear a Wristwatch

You won't be able to use your phone or smartwatch in the escape room (for obvious reasons). You still ought to have something on you that can help you keep track of the time, though.

 

Wearing a regular old wristwatch will make it easier for you to check the time without having to crane your neck to see the clock or wait until you hear time warnings from the host.

 

If possible, try to wear a watch with a glow-in-the-dark face or a light. That way, you'll be able to see the time even in dimly lit rooms.

 

Test These Escape Room Tips Today

 

The idea of trying to get out of an escape room might seem daunting at first, especially if you don't consider yourself to be someone who's good at puzzles.

 

If you keep these escape room tips in mind, though, you'll have an easier time escaping and beating the clock.

 

An escape room is a fun activity that gives you an opportunity to shake things up and do something different with your friends, family, or coworkers. They're not the only things worth doing, though.

 

Check out the entertainment section of our website today to learn about some other great activities you can try out with your loved ones.