Escape Room Strategies: How to Master Puzzles & Improve Your Skills

Ah, the escape room—a thrilling adventure that tests your brain, teamwork, and creativity. You step into a room filled with puzzles, riddles, and hidden clues, with just one hour to escape. It’s like being in a real-life action movie, but instead of dodging bullets, you’re cracking codes and solving mysteries. The race against time is intense, and that’s where a few tips and tricks can become your secret weapon to victory.

At Sherlocked, we’ve seen it all: teams charging in like headless chickens, others deliberating endlessly, and some too cautious to touch anything. Each team has its style, but some strategies work better than others. If you’ve ever wondered how to be good at escape rooms, how to solve puzzles faster, or how to escape an escape room successfully, this guide is for you. We’ll share proven strategies, tips, and common mistakes to help you win escape rooms like a pro.

Escape Room Strategies: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Let’s dive into the strategies teams use to beat escape rooms—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.

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.

What to Do Instead:
Focus on every challenge and look for patterns in the environment of a puzzle room. Divide the room into sections and assign tasks to your teammates. This structured approach helps you find hidden puzzle pieces more efficiently and avoids wasting time on distractions.

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.

What to Do Instead:
At some point, 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. Balance collaboration with decisiveness to keep the game moving forward.

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.

What to Do Instead:
Search the room carefully—every nook and cranny might hold something useful. 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.

What to Do Instead:
Instead of forcing your way through, focus on well-organized teamwork. Divide tasks effectively and communicate clearly to ensure your whole team is on the same page. Creative problem-solving will get you further than brute force.

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.

What to Do Instead:
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! Success isn’t just about staying organized; it’s about understanding how the game itself is designed to challenge you.

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.

What to Do Instead:
Next time you're stuck, try channeling your inner child. Ask "why?" and challenge assumptions. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all you need to uncover the next clue.

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! Remember, the goal is to have fun, whether you escape or not.

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.

Pro Tip: Assign a “communicator” role to one team member. Their job is to ensure everyone’s discoveries are shared and discussed, preventing overlooked clues.

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.

Pro Tip: Set mini-deadlines for yourself. For example, aim to solve the first puzzle within 10 minutes or uncover a major clue by the halfway mark. This keeps your team on track and prevents last-minute rushes.

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.

Looking for more tips? Check out our 33 Escape Room Tips Blog for even more strategies, tricks, and insights to help you master any escape room challenge. From how to prepare to how to be better, we’ve got you covered!

FAQ: How to Be Good at Escape Rooms

1. How to Be Good at Escape Rooms?

• Communicate constantly and work collaboratively.
• Organize your approach and assign roles.
• Stay calm under pressure and focus on high-priority actions.
• Take risks and explore every corner of the room.

2. How to Escape an Escape Room?

• Search the room thoroughly for hidden clues.
• Analyze patterns and connect clues logically.
• Regroup frequently to ensure no clue is forgotten.
• Ask for hints if you’re stuck.

3. How to Solve Escape Room Puzzles?

• Look for hints hidden in plain sight.
• Work backward from the outcome.
• Stay curious and avoid assumptions.
• Collaborate with teammates to reveal the bigger picture.

4. How to Win Escape Rooms?

• Act strategically and avoid overthinking.
• Communicate openly and adapt your approach.
• Stay focused and positive, even under time pressure.

5. How to Get Better at Escape Rooms?

• Practice teamwork with a consistent group.
• Learn common puzzle types like ciphers and pattern recognition.
• Reflect on past games to improve.
• Stay adaptable and maintain a positive mindset.

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.