Escape Room Tips & Strategies: Your Ultimate Guide to Solving Puzzles Faster

Ah, the great escape room. A thrilling adventure that puts your brain, teamwork skills, and creativity to the test.

You’ve entered a room bursting with story, puzzles, riddles, and hidden clues. The clock is ticking, and you’ve got just one hour to escape. It’s like stepping into a real-life action movie—but instead of dodging bullets, you’re cracking codes and solving mysteries. And let’s face it, the race against time can feel just as intense. That’s why a few tips and tricks for escape rooms might just be your secret weapon to victory.

At Sherlocked, we’ve seen it all. Teams who charge in like headless chickens, those who deliberate endlessly like the Dutch government, and others who refuse to touch anything as if our puzzles were made of plutonium. Each team has its own unique style, but some strategies clearly work better than others.

By understanding the way escape games are designed and mastering teamwork, you can tackle puzzles faster and have a great time doing it.

P.s. If you're planning on doing an escape room in Amsterdam, our Ultimate Escape Room guide can help!

Escape Room Strategies: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Let’s dive into some strategies people use to beat any escape room—and what you can learn from them.

1. The Headless Chicken "strategy"

This approach involves running around inside the room, touching everything you find, and hoping for a miracle. While this might lead to uncovering hidden clues, don’t waste time on irrelevant things. This chaotic method often results in overlooking related objects that might be useful.

Instead, focus on every challenge and look for patterns in the environment of a puzzle room. Dividing the room into sections and assigning tasks to your teammates can help you find hidden puzzle pieces more efficiently.

As Mark Robert points out in his video on the subject, this strategy is like playing a game of "Where's Waldo?" with a blindfold on.

2. The Polder Model strategy

Named after the Dutch way of governing, this strategy involves constant deliberation and collaboration among team members.

Teams that deliberate on every decision might uncover clues, but overthinking the ones you’re holding could slow progress.

At some point, just take the leap and start solving! Even if you’re wrong, taking action often leads to the next step. That’s usually a sign you’re on the right track!

3. The Scaredy Cat

This strategy is defined by a reluctance to touch or change anything in the room. Sure, caution is good, but escape rooms are crafted to challenge players to explore their surroundings. Search the room carefully, every nook and cranny might hold something useful.

In other words, the key to success is being willing to try things, even if they don’t work. Risk-taking helps you unlock progress and uncover hidden clues.

4. The Bruisers

These players go in ready to brute-force their way to victory. Whether trying to open locks or smashing props, they believe force is the solution. But remember, escape room puzzles aren’t about strength; they require creative thinking.

Instead of forcing your way through, focus on well-organized teamwork. Divide tasks effectively and communicate effectively to ensure your whole team is on the same page.

5. The Organizers

Often seen as escape room pros, these players bring structure. They organize items, assign roles, and ensure nothing gets overlooked. While effective, this strategy can lead to assumptions or overconfidence, which might leave important clues behind. Success isn’t just about staying organized—it’s about understanding how the game itself is designed to challenge you.

Stay open-minded and embrace the challenge. If you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to ask for a hint—it might be the nudge your team needs!

Curious about other common player types? Check out our blog on different player types.

6. The Children

Don't let their youth fool you. Children can be surprisingly effective at escape rooms. They're not burdened by assumptions and are willing to ask "why" when others might just assume they know the answer.

So, next time you're stuck, try channeling your inner child and see where it takes you.

Honorable Mention: The Consciously Clueless Friends

These teams may not be the most focused or experienced, but they're definitely the most self-deprecating. They're here for a good time, and they're not afraid to make fun of their own cluelessness.

They appear to know the secret of life: it’s not about getting out, it’s all about having a good time while you’re in the room.

If you’re new to escape games, check out our post on what to expect from an escape room to ease your nerves!

Tips and Tricks for Escape Rooms

How Game Design Influences Your Strategy

These games aren’t random; every detail is carefully curated. Game design often hides hints in plain sight, so don’t overlook unusual things in the room. Start by observing patterns, trying to "work backward" from the clues you have, and focusing on objects that "might be useful" rather than wasting valuable time on distractions. The difficulty level varies between rooms, so adapting your strategy to the room’s unique challenges is critical. For example, The Architect requires sharp observation to uncover the secrets of a hidden society. The Vault leans heavily on logic and quick thinking as you attempt to steal a mysterious object from a highly secure safe. Meanwhile, The Alchemist immerses you in a magical adventure filled with technomagic and ancient rituals. Each room offers a unique experience that tests different skills, making adaptability key to success.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to how much time is left — time pressure can cause panic, but keeping calm and methodical ensures you don’t miss vital clues.

Once you understand the room's layout, success depends on how well your team communicates and works together.

Effective Communication: The Key to Team Success

One of the most critical factors in escaping successfully is communication. A team that shares ideas openly and listens to one another will progress faster. For instance, if someone spots a lead, call attention to it, even if it seems insignificant. More often than not, combining seemingly unrelated observations can reveal the bigger picture. Discuss how pieces fit, delegate roles, and regroup frequently to ensure clues are not hidden or forgotten. Strong communication also prevents “clue hoarding,” where one team member tries to solve everything themselves.

If you're stuck, asking for hints isn't a sign of failure—it’s a smart way to keep momentum. After all, these puzzle rooms are designed to be immersive challenges and game masters are there to guide you, ensuring you leave with a sense of accomplishment.

Even with the right strategies, time pressure is often the ultimate test. Here’s how to manage it like a pro.

Overcoming the Pressure of Time

The ticking clock in escape rooms is both your greatest motivator and your biggest enemy. Many players panic when they realize how much time is left, but panic leads to missing valuable seconds on irrelevant tasks. The key is to stay focused, prioritize high-impact actions, and recognize when you’re hitting a dead end.

If your team has hit a wall, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance or revisit earlier puzzles—sometimes fresh eyes or a different perspective can reveal the solution. And remember: even if you don’t solve every puzzle, the experience is about teamwork and fun. The moments of discovery and collaboration make every escape game memorable.

5 Essential Escape Room Tips for Solving Escape Rooms

After exploring different escape room tips and strategies and understanding how escape rooms are designed, here’s what you need to focus on for a successful and memorable escape:

1. Act Quickly and Strategically
   The clock is always ticking, so don’t spend too much time deliberating. Dive in, test ideas, and take action. If a puzzle seems unsolvable at first, try working backwards or connecting related objects you’ve already found. Action often leads to momentum, even when you’re unsure.
2. Take Risks and Stay Curious
   Escape rooms are meant to challenge you, so don’t be afraid to explore unusual things or try bold ideas. Channel your inner child’s curiosity—touch, move, and inspect everything. Sometimes, asking “why” or “how” reveals a hidden clue you might otherwise miss.
3. Communicate Constantly with Your Team
   Effective communication is a game-changer. Share every discovery, even if it seems small, and encourage your teammates to do the same. Discuss how puzzle pieces or clues fit together, regroup regularly, and make sure everyone is contributing. Collaboration will save you from wasting valuable time.
4. Know When to Ask for Help
   Stuck on a puzzle? Don’t let pride get in the way. Game masters are there to guide you and ensure you have a great time. Asking for hints is often the smartest way to keep momentum and avoid frustration.
5. Enjoy the Experience
   Whether you solve every puzzle or not, remember why you’re there—to have fun. Celebrate the small wins, embrace the challenge, and focus on the teamwork and creativity involved. That’s the true essence of an escape game.

Escape Room Success: Combining Strategies for the Ultimate Win

In the end, there’s no magic formula for escaping every room. The best teams adapt their strategies to the unique challenges of each escape room. They know when to think methodically, when to take risks, and when to ask for help.

But above all, remember that escape rooms are about connection—connecting the dots in puzzles, working together with your team, and creating unforgettable memories. Whether you’re solving mysteries or simply soaking up the fun, every moment in the room is part of the adventure.

Ready to put these strategies to the test? Explore our best escape rooms in Amsterdam and see if your team can beat any escape room like a pro.