Escape rooms test teamwork, quick thinking and composure under pressure, yet many teams still fail to finish on time. According to Lucy Cullis, an escape room expert from Tenpin, most teams make the same five mistakes.
Five Common Errors That Trap Teams
Cullis highlighted constantly checking the clock as a major pitfall. While tracking time matters, obsessing over the remaining minutes creates stress and panic. She recommends nominating one team member to handle time checks so the rest of the group can focus on the tasks.
Poor communication is another frequent failure. Teams that do not share findings quickly often run out of time. Cullis advises players to speak up immediately about anything they discover.
Many players also waste time trying to turn every object into a clue. Not everything in the room is part of the solution, so forcing connections can drain precious minutes. The expert suggests moving on when something seems irrelevant.
Keeping Momentum and Using Hints
Spending too long on a single puzzle is another common error. Cullis recommends switching to another clue or handing the puzzle to a teammate to maintain momentum, since every second counts.
Finally, players often wait until the last minutes to ask for help. Cullis says asking the game master for hints regularly during the game can be a good strategy to keep things moving.
