In-Person Contests
We LOVE hosting speed puzzling races on Zoom. We had even more fun hosting 7 in-person state and regional championships in the USA in 2023!
We plan to host 11-12 championships in 2024; the first one was already held in Texas. Please scroll down and complete the Google form to help us bring a contest to you!
We plan to host 11-12 championships in 2024; the first one was already held in Texas. Please scroll down and complete the Google form to help us bring a contest to you!
Region |
States included |
2024 Contests |
2023 Contests |
USA West |
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming |
- California State Championship (Nov 16) in San Mateo. Click here to register! - Colorado State Championship (Apr 20) in Colorado Springs. Click here for results. - Pacific Northwest: USA Northeast Regional Championship (Jul 13) in Seattle. Click here for results. - Utah State Championship (Sep 7) in Lindon. Click here to register! |
|
USA Southwest |
Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
- Texas State Championship (Apr 15): click here for results |
|
USA Midwest |
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
- Minnesota State Championship (Jul 8): click here for results |
|
USA Southeast |
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia |
- USA Southeast Regional Championship (Oct 14): click here for results |
|
USA Northeast |
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont |
- USA Northeast Regional Championship (Aug 12): click here for results |
Championship FAQ's:
- How does a championship work? For each contest, each person/pair/team will receive the same puzzle in an opaque drawstring bag. Rules will be given, and then we will count down "3, 2, 1, GO!" Everyone will open the bag, open the puzzle box, and begin puzzling. Rankings will be determined by finish time. The contest puzzles are yours to keep.
- How do I register? On the championship page, scroll down to the section that lists the adult and youth divisions. Add the desired event(s) to your cart, and complete the checkout process. To provide information about teammates or preferred T-shirt sizes and colors, please complete the pre-registration form or enter a note during the checkout process.
- Does the Pair (or Team) registration fee cover both (or all 4) of us, or do we each have to pay? A single registration fee covers both, or all 4, members of the pair or team.
- How many people can be on a Team? A team consists of 3 or 4 people, but all teams compete in the same division.
- What if I want to participate, but I don't live in the State or Region featured in the Championship? Priority is given to residents of the specified state (or states in the region). Non-resident individuals are not eligible for prizes. Any pair or team with a non-resident individual is not eligible for prizes.
- How do you choose where to host championship events? We target the areas with the most known speed puzzlers. In 2023, we held state championships in our 4 most populated speed puzzling states: California, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado. We held regional championships for other key states. In 2024, we also plan to hold championships in Washington and Arizona--the 2 states we missed in 2023 that have the most speed puzzlers.
- How can we get you to host a championship in our area? Contact me at [email protected] if you know of a good venue for a contest. The venue must be in a safe location, have great lighting, 4000+ square feet, plenty of 6-foot rectangular tables, plenty of chairs, a sound system, and preferably a projector & screen available. It also must be available all day on a Saturday (from at least 8am - 6pm) at an affordable cost.
- What types of divisions (puzzles and piece counts) do you have? We hold contests for adults and youth (under 16). The divisions are Solo (200-300p for Youth, 500p for Adults), Pair (300p-400p for Youth, 500-550p for Adults), and Team (500p for Youth, 1000p for Adults).
- Do you recommend any specific hotels for reduced rates? We are currently working on setting up discounts with hotels near our championships.
- What time do we need to arrive? Check-in times are from 9 - 9:30 for Solo, from 12 - 12:30 for Pairs, and from 2:30 - 3 for Team. Just one person from each Pair or Team needs to check in. Early check-in is not allowed, and you will need to check in for each event if participating in more than one. Brief instructions and rules will be given immediately following the check-in window, and the contest will begin immediately afterward.
- What size is our puzzling space? We do our best to use 6-foot rectangular tables, but occasionally only 8-foot tables are available. We divide each table in half for Solo and Pairs, but Teams get to use a whole table.
- Where do we need to sit? All Stars who are Black Belts or Blue Belts need to sit on the front row. Youth also need to sit in the front row. Everyone else may sit anywhere there is an available spot.
- What do we do for snacks or drinks? The rules vary by venue. We will try to provide catering options whenever possible. If the venue allows it, you may bring in your own food or drinks.
- How does the puzzle swap work? Every registered participant may participate in the swap at no cost. Friends/guests may also purchase a swap ticket to participate. You can bring 1 or many puzzles that are complete (have no missing pieces). For each puzzle you bring, you may take home one puzzle of similar piece count and quality. Dollar store brands like Puzzlebug may not be brought to the puzzle swap.
Championship Rules:
- What tools can we use in your championships? You may use box top holders and sorting trays (any size and quantity). You may also use earbuds to listen to music. You may not bring magnifying tools (including a camera to enlarge the image), puzzle scoops/spatulas, risers to lift the table, or personal lighting.
- Can we bring a blade or blunt tool to open the puzzle box? No--but we always slice through the cellophane or stickers so you may easily open the box.
- What is the time limit for each contest? In 2023, the time limit was 2 hours for Solo, 90 minutes for Pair, and 2 hours for Team. This may be adjusted for 2024.
- What if we have one or more youth and one or more adult? Youth may participate with an adult in the Adult division for Pairs or Team, but adults may not compete in a Youth division.