Contest Schedule

For information about in-person contests, see here.
Offline participation instructions can be found here.
Scroll down to see registration info about 3 months worth of contests.
How do Speed Puzzling contests work?
  1. Anyone in the USA can participate in our LIVE Zoom events.  With enough lead time (3-4+ weeks), we also ship anywhere in the world.  International puzzlers pay for the additional shipping.  So far, we have shipped to Canada, the UK, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Israel, Australia, and United Arab Emirates.
  2. Click on the registration link and purchase the desired contest(s).  Your payment covers the cost of the puzzle, shipping, and participation in the Zoom contest event.
  3. About 2 weeks before the event date, we ship everyone the same undisclosed puzzle in a poly mailer or box.  Contestants keep the shipping package sealed until told to open it--together with the rest of the puzzlers on the Zoom call.
  4. A day or two before the contest, we email each puzzler a Zoom link with instructions on camera setup, etc.  You can review the instructions in advance here.
  5. On the contest day, at the assigned check-in time, puzzlers join the Zoom meeting using the emailed link.
  6. The judges check each puzzler's camera angle and unopened puzzle package.  Brief instructions are given via Kahoot slides, and then all puzzlers unwrap their puzzle boxes together.
  7. We'll count down "3, 2, 1, GO!" (starting the timers on "GO"), and everyone puzzles simultaneously.  We basically follow the USA JPA rules and procedures, found here.
  8. The first individual/team to finish WINS!
  9. After the contest is over, judges verify all entries and post the rankings, names, and completion times of all participants.
  10. Prizes are sent to the winners of each division.
New and clarified rules (effective 1/1/2026):​​
  1. When possible, please use a white or black puzzling surface (not a wooden, glass, or marbled surface).  This is not only easier for us to judge, but it actually improves your completion time.  Poster board and foam board are very cheap!
  2. Timers have to show H:MM:SS (not just MM:SS).  The MM:SS timers roll over after 99 minutes and can be very confusing (45:30 could mean 0:45:30, 2:25:30, 4:05:30, etc.).  A kitchen timer, phone, tablet, etc. may be used.  Please do not use an athletic-style stopwatch or wristwatch, as these are too small for us to see clearly.  
  3. The camera lens (on your phone, tablet, laptop or computer) has to be at least 12” higher than the puzzle surface.  Any lower, and we can't really tell how many pieces are remaining.
  4. Your Zoom screen name must include the full first and last name of the person who registered for the event (bought the ticket).
  5. You may only join the Zoom once per purchased spot.  In other words, you may not connect 2 or more devices to the Zoom call.  Space is limited per Zoom call, and this  alsocauses confusion among our judges.  If you wish to have a friend watch, or have 2 devices on the call for whatever reason, please purchase a "Watch a Zoom contest" ticket, available in our Store.
  6. Any registration changes must be emailed to us by the night before the Zoom call.  This includes teammate changes, going from Pair to Team, giving a puzzle contest to a friend, etc.
Other Speed Puzzling guidelines/considerations:
  • Not available on the contest date/time?  If you have a schedule conflict that prevents you competing, you may compete offline if you do so in advance.  Detailed instructions are here.
  • Find dozens of tips and strategies here.
  • Nervous about competing against puzzle ninjas?  Starting in 2023, our Fastest Newbie gets a prize!  And you can get a good idea where you might finish by trying a puzzle previously used in our contests.  Check out our Results page to see all previous puzzles/times/rankings.
  • What puzzling tools are allowed for a contest?  Scissors/blades, sorting trays, box top holders, and timers are allowed.  Other tools (spatulas, magnifying glasses, cell phone cameras to enlarge the puzzle image) are NOT.
  • We promote friendly competition!  Let's build this group and encourage each other's progress.
  • Please let us know how we can improve your competition experience.
Speed Puzzling contest schedule (populated from June thru August):