33 Escape Room Tips to Win Every Time

You’re gearing up for your next escape room adventure, but where should you start?
Don’t worry — we’ve condensed the best of our blogs into 33 essential escape room tips to get you ready for success. Whether it’s about how to prepare for, how to get better at, or even how to play an escape room, these tips are designed to help you get the most out of your experience.

Our Ultimate Escape Room Guide is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about the world of escape rooms.

If this is your first escape room, make sure to read what to expect from an escape room and check out some frequently asked questions about escape rooms before your game.

Escape Room Tips: How to Prepare for an Escape Room Experience

Before stepping into an escape room, preparation is key. These tips and tricks will help you get ready mentally, physically, and as a team.

1. Build a Balanced Team with Diverse Skills

Assemble a team with a mix of strengths, such as problem-solving, observation, and communication. Whether you’re playing with family, friends, or colleagues, knowing each other’s abilities is crucial since you're going to work together to solve puzzles and escape. For example, if someone is great at spotting hidden objects, let them lead the search, while a logical thinker can focus on puzzles.

2. Assign Roles Based on Strengths

Everyone has their own strengths, so assign roles based on each member’s abilities. Some might be great at finding clues, while others excel at cracking codes. Assigning tasks will help you solve challenges faster. Don’t know what role to choose? We got you, check out this article we made about escape room player types and stick to what feels true to you.

3. Leverage Your Team’s Unique Skills

Play to each member’s strengths. If someone is great at spotting hidden clues, let them lead the search. If another excels at logic puzzles, assign them to riddles. A diverse skill sets will boost your chances of success.

4. Dress and Prepare for Movement

Comfort is key in an escape room! Wear clothes that allow you to move freely—tight or bulky outfits can make crawling, climbing, or quick movements tricky. Opt for comfortable, closed-toe shoes, as you’ll likely be on your feet for a while, and there’s always a chance of dropping something. Avoid wearing rings, bracelets, or necklaces that could get caught on objects or distract you during the game. Dressing smartly ensures you can fully focus on solving puzzles and making your great escape!

5. Dress the Part for Immersion

Some rooms might ask their players to dress a certain way to fit the theme of the game, whether it is very fancy or silly, try and play the part! Our room The Vault actually invites people to dress as art collectors, so make sure to bring your best outfits to match with the room.

For outfit inspiration and advice, take a look at our detailed blog on what to wear to an escape room.

6. Agree on Communication Signals

To make sure that you understand each other during the game, agree on signals or codes to share information efficiently. You might want to yell every time you find something new or clap your hands to draw attention to a particular element of the room, the details are up to you as long as you communicate well!

7. Familiarize Yourself with the Theme

Before stepping into an escape room, take a few minutes to learn about its theme and storyline. Understanding the setting can help you immerse yourself in the experience and think like the characters in the story. Some themes may have recurring puzzle elements, so knowing the background might give you an edge in recognizing patterns and solving challenges more efficiently.

8. Practice with Online Escape Games

Warm up your brain with online escape games. These digital puzzles mimic the logic and problem-solving skills required in real escape rooms. They train your brain to think critically, spot hidden clues, and connect seemingly unrelated details. Even a short session before your game can help you sharpen your skills and get into cracking the codes.

9. Manage Your Expectations

Every escape room game is unique—some are puzzle-heavy, while others emphasize storytelling and atmosphere. Difficulty levels can also vary, so don’t assume every game will follow the same format. Go in with an open mind, ready to adapt to different styles of challenges. The key is to enjoy the experience, whether you’re solving intricate riddles or uncovering an immersive narrative!

10. Stay Hydrated and Energized

Have a light snack and drink some water before your game to stay sharp. Avoid heavy meals that might slow you down, and if you’re doing a longer or high-intensity room, consider bringing a small water bottle to stay hydrated between puzzles. A well-fueled brain is your best tool for escaping in time!

How to Play an Escape Room

Once inside the room, these next tips will help you navigate puzzles, collaborate effectively, and make the most of your time.

11. Share Every Clue and Discovery

During the game, communication is key. Avoid confusion and share every clue and discovery with your team. If you find a hidden object or solve part of a puzzle, don’t hesitate to say it out loud! You must work together to solve the puzzles and escape.

12. Split Up to Save Time

Trust us — splitting up is not dangerous! Searching in different areas can save time and let everyone work on their own piece of the puzzle. Just remember to regroup and share your findings. Escape rooms are designed to challenge you, so staying organized is vital.

13. Search the Room Thoroughly

As soon as the door closes, take a good look around and search the room like your life depends on it. Leave no corner unchecked, check inside of all the drawers, look behind doors, inspect every object… Looking for hidden clues is the first step to piecing together the mystery. You don’t want to miss anything, and sometimes the most obvious aspects of the room are the most important. It's no secret that in an escape room, you're allowed to channel your inner child and approach the room with curiosity. In fact, this is the perfect moment to do so.

14. Balance Thinking and Acting

Escape rooms are meant to balance thinking and action. Taking time to reflect on what is in front of you in the room is great. Analyse, investigate, connect the dots… but don’t forget to act. Be confident to touch things, to try things, being wrong and making mistakes is part of the game! So try a mix of thinking and acting and your method should be perfect.

15. Not Everything is a Clue

Avoid overcomplicating things. Sometimes, when looking for clues, light bulbs are just… light bulbs. Be careful while touching wires as well and if you receive a call from your game master telling you to keep your fingers out of the electricity socket, do it. If you’ve spent time examining something ordinary, discard it and move on. Feeling stuck? It’s time to try another approach.

16. Break Down Complex Puzzles

If an escape room puzzle seems too big for one person or if it is taking too much time, break it down into smaller tasks and tackle them one by one with your team. Work together! Collaboration is the key to unlocking the mysteries of the room and ensuring your team's success.

17. Ask for Hints When Stuck

If you’re completely stuck or you're not sure about something, don’t forget that your host is here to help. If you have spent more than 15 minutes on the same puzzle, it may be time to ask your game master for hints so you can move on. Sometimes, only a few words can enlighten you. But try to only ask when necessary, so that you still have the satisfaction of solving the riddles yourself.

18. Keep an Eye on the Clock

It is very easy to lose track of time in an escape room so make sure to check the clock from time to time, especially if you feel like you have been stuck on a puzzle for a long time. Time management will enable you to have clearer ideas and avoid a rush towards the end of the time span.

19. Actively Listen to Your Team

Pay attention to what your team is saying and don’t speak all at the same time. Everything you have to say will probably prove itself worthy of attention and everybody sees things differently, so make sure to listen to what everyone has to say or you might miss important details. Listening actively to everyone is a skill that all successful teams share.

20. Read Clues Out Loud

There might be a few things to read in a room. Remember to read things out loud so that everyone can have the same information in real-time. If you ever get separated and read things for yourself, you should always find a way to communicate what you found out to the rest of your team, to stay on the same page.

21. Use Simple, Clear Language

Clearly articulate your thoughts to avoid unnecessary complexity and ensure clear communication. Try to use simple words to describe what you are doing and seeing to your team this will save you a lot of time and energy as well.

22. Stay Calm Under Pressure

Stay calm and composed, even when faced with escape room challenges. Yes, the clock is ticking but you will need to remain calm and cool when solving a number of clues and enigmas. Stressing and acting restless will only make you lose time and could also make you miss important things!

23. Distribute Tasks Evenly

Distribute tasks evenly to prevent one person from becoming overwhelmed. You should also not all be focusing on the same thing, every lead needs several brains to see the end of it, and some elements of the room might be too much for one person.

24. Switch Roles if Stuck

You’ve been working on a clue for what it seems like forever and you can’t see the end of it? Switch roles with your teammates, pass it on! Being stuck on the same thing for too long will only make you feel frustrated, better to let someone else have a fresh look at it so you can try something else in the meantime.

25. Celebrate Small Wins

Share what you did with your team, acknowledge achievements as a team, and enjoy the victories! Some of the elements of the escape room might not include all players so make sure to keep everyone updated when you resolve or find out something. This is teamwork!

26. Pay Attention to Details

Examine everything closely for potential clues, search every corner of the escape room thoroughly, and make sure you don’t miss anything. If you notice several repetitive patterns, they probably mean something, if you keep hearing the same sound over and over, dig into it!

27. Listen for Audio Cues

Certain clues and puzzles might require audio cues to be solved. Keep an open mind. Listen closely to your environment, what can you hear? Is there music? Repetitive sounds? Puzzles can be heard, so be prepared for anything.

28. Organize Found Items

Keep clues organized, try to place them in a centralized area, in the middle of the room for example. This will save you a lot of time and effort as well, as some escape rooms will ask you to use the same objects numerous times. This way, you won’t have to run around and try to remember where you put your keys and trinkets.

29. Experiment with Combinations

Don't be afraid to experiment and explore various possibilities. Some enigmas might be more challenging than others and require more than just intellectual capacities. Push and pull, speak out loud, turn things around, get physical! The solutions are almost never what you thought they would be, so get creative.

30. Stay Focused on the Game

Avoid distractions and stay immersed in the game, even when you think you’ve come to a dead end. There is always something to do, something to look at, or someone to help. If you’re in doubt, call your host and ask for some advice.

How to Be Better at Escape Rooms

Improving your escape skills takes practice and reflection. These tips will help you grow as a player.

31. Learn from Each Experience

Every escape room is a learning opportunity! After each game, take a moment to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Did your team communicate effectively? Were there moments where you could have worked more efficiently? Maybe you missed a clue because you weren’t thorough enough. Discussing these aspects with your team can help sharpen your skills for future games and enhance your overall team building. Some players even keep notes of strategies that worked, making each new escape attempt even smoother!

32. Challenge Yourself with Harder Rooms

The best way to improve is to keep pushing your limits! If you’ve successfully escaped beginner rooms, it might be time to step up to intermediate or advanced-level challenges. These often include more intricate puzzles, multi-layered clues, and higher-pressure scenarios. Pay attention to the difficulty ratings when booking your next room, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself—you might surprise yourself with how much you’ve improved!

33. Observe Experienced Players

One of the best ways to level up your escape skills is by learning from experienced players. If you’re playing with seasoned escapers, watch how they approach puzzles and problem-solving. Do they search for clues in a particular order? How do they communicate with the team? If someone solves a puzzle quickly, ask them how they did it—you might pick up new techniques or patterns you hadn’t noticed before. Even watching online escape room streams or walkthroughs can give you valuable insights to use in your next game!

Reflect, Recap, and Conquer

How to Prepare for an Escape Room

Your experience starts before you arrive. Dress comfortably, minimize distractions, and bring a team that works well together. Stay open-minded, think outside the box, and be ready for an adventure!

How to Play an Escape Room

The game starts the moment you walk in. Search thoroughly, share discoveries with your team, and approach puzzles with logic and creativity. Stay organized, communicate constantly, and tackle challenges with a mix of patience and urgency. These experiences are about both thinking and doing—so stay engaged and keep the momentum going.

How to Be Better at Escape Rooms

Success in escape rooms hinges on teamwork, sharp observation, and adaptability. Build a well-rounded team with diverse strengths and ensure clear, open communication. Pay attention to small details, work methodically, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re stuck. Every mistake is a lesson—embrace them, refine your approach, and level up your skills.

How to Win Any Escape Room

Winning isn’t just about intelligence; it’s about strategy. Assign tasks based on strengths, keep all findings centralized, and maintain a structured approach. Manage your time wisely, stay positive, and keep moving forward—progress often comes from trial and error. Don’t let setbacks slow you down if you want to win; they’re just stepping stones to victory.

Time to Try: You are Now Ready to Ace Your Next Escape Game

These experiences are meant to be challenging, but whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned escape room enthusiast, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the thrill of working together with your team. So, gather your friends and book your next adventure inside the best escape rooms in Amsterdam!

Remember to stay spontaneous and have fun! These are the two last pieces of advice that we can give to make sure that your games will be a fantastic and exciting experience for everyone. Should you need more extensive tips for solving and escaping an escape room, check out some escape strategies to solve puzzles faster.