So you've booked your first escape room. Exciting! But also slightly nerve-wracking. Will you embarrass yourself? Get stuck on the first puzzle? Accidentally break something?

Relax. We've helped thousands of first-timers navigate their inaugural escape room experience at Riddle Me This. Here are the 10 tips that'll help you escape like a seasoned pro.

What Exactly Is an Escape Room?

An escape room is a 60-minute live-action puzzle adventure where you and your team are "locked" in a themed room (horror, sci-fi, heist, etc.) and must solve clues, crack codes, and uncover secrets to "escape" before time runs out.

Key Clarifications:

You're not actually locked in—fire safety regulations require accessible exits.

You'll have a game master monitoring via camera who can provide hints.

About 30-40% of teams escape on their first try (it's designed to be challenging but fun).

Tip #1: Choose the Right Room for Your Group

Not all escape rooms are created equal. If your group includes:

**Horror fans or thrill-seekers:** Try **Asylum** or **Family Secrets** at Riddle Me This in **Full Immersion mode** (Richmond's only live actor escape rooms).

**Horror fans who prefer no actors:** Choose **Psychological mode** in the same rooms (atmospheric horror, no live actors).

**Families with kids 10+:** Opt for **Bank Heist**, **Project Beacon**, or one of the comedy-themed rooms (lighter tones, adventure themes).

**Beginners who get easily frustrated:** Start with a lower difficulty room and ask about Psychological mode (check venue ratings).

Pro Tip: At Riddle Me This, you can choose between Full Immersion (live actor) and Psychological (atmospheric) modes for the same room. First-timers often prefer Psychological mode to focus on puzzles. Call ahead and ask the staff which they recommend.

Tip #2: Arrive Early (Seriously)

Most venues require you to arrive 15 minutes before your booking for waivers, restroom breaks, and the pre-game briefing.

Arriving late means:

Rushing through the briefing (you'll miss important rules).

Starting with a shorter time limit (some venues deduct late minutes).

Stressing out your team before you even begin.

Set a phone reminder for 30 minutes before your booking. Your team will thank you.

Tip #3: Communicate Everything Out Loud

The #1 mistake first-timers make: solving puzzles in silence.

If you find a clue, say it out loud:

❌ "I found something."

✅ "I found a 4-digit code written on this painting: 7-2-9-5!"

Why it matters: Your teammate might have found a 4-digit lock across the room. If you don't communicate, you'll waste precious minutes duplicating work.

Best Practice: Assign one person as the "scribe" to track all discovered codes, clues, and opened locks on a whiteboard (most rooms provide one).

Tip #4: Search Methodically, Not Frantically

When the timer starts, resist the urge to ransack the room like you're on a home improvement show.

The Pro Method:

1. Scan the room together for 30 seconds. What stands out? Locked boxes? Symbols on the wall? Odd objects?

2. Divide the room into zones and assign each person a section to search thoroughly.

3. Call out everything unusual: "There's a book with a hollowed-out center!" "This painting has hinges!"

What to search:

Behind/under furniture

Inside books, drawers, containers

Anywhere a small key or clue could hide

What NOT to search:

Ceiling tiles (unless the game master tells you)

Electrical outlets

Areas marked with "DO NOT TOUCH" signs

Tip #5: Don't Overthink It

Escape room designers are clever, but they're not trying to trick you with quantum physics. If a puzzle feels impossibly complex, you're probably missing a simple connection.

Red Flags You're Overthinking:

Converting letters to ASCII code when there's no computer in the room.

Applying advanced mathematics when the room is themed around pirates.

Trying to solve a Sudoku when no numbers have appeared in any clues.

The Rule: If you're stuck for 3+ minutes, ask for a hint. That's literally why game masters exist.

Tip #6: Use Your Hints Wisely

Every escape room offers hints—usually 3-5 per game. Don't be too proud to use them.

When to ask for a hint:

Your team has been stuck on the same puzzle for 5+ minutes.

You've found a code but no lock (or vice versa).

You've "solved" something but nothing happened.

How to ask for a hint:

Most venues have a walkie-talkie, button, or screen. Simply say: "Can we get a hint for the [painting puzzle]?" The more specific, the better.

Pro Tip: Save one hint for the final 10 minutes in case you get stuck on the last puzzle.

Tip #7: Organize Your Clues

Chaos is the enemy of escape. Within the first 5 minutes, create a system:

**Used clues/keys:** Place them in a designated "done" pile (or hand them to the game master through a slot).

**Unsolved clues:** Keep them visible on a table or whiteboard.

**Opened locks:** Remove them from their mechanisms so you don't waste time trying them again.

Why it matters: At the 45-minute mark, teams often forget what they've already solved. Organization prevents backtracking.

Tip #8: Respect the Storytelling

The best escape rooms (like Riddle Me This's Asylum and Family Secrets) are narrative experiences, not just puzzle hunts.

Immerse yourself:

Read the intro story carefully (it often contains clues).

Stay in character—if you're escaping a horror asylum, lean into the tension.

React to live actor moments (if present). They're there to enhance the experience, not just scare you.

Bonus: Groups that roleplay tend to have more fun, even if they don't escape.

Tip #9: Don't Ignore Your Gut

If something looks weird, it probably is. Escape room designers hide clues in plain sight, betting on "choice blindness"—the tendency to overlook the obvious.

Trust your instincts:

"Why is this book upside down on the shelf?"

"Why does this clock show 3:47 when all the others work?"

"Why is there a random number sequence on the back of this photo?"

If it feels intentional, it probably is.

Tip #10: The Real Goal Is Fun, Not Escaping

Here's a truth bomb: Most first-timers don't escape.

And that's okay.

The real victory is:

Laughing with your friends/family.

Solving at least a few puzzles together.

Walking out saying, "That was awesome—let's do another one!"

Post-Game Tradition: Take a team photo (most venues offer this) and debrief over dinner. Talk about what worked, what didn't, and which room you'll tackle next.

Bonus: What to Wear

Don't wear:

High heels or dress shoes (you'll be moving around, sometimes crawling).

Overly baggy clothes (they catch on props).

Expensive jewelry (you'll be handling dusty props).

Do wear:

Comfortable sneakers or flats.

Layers (rooms can be cold or warm depending on the theme).

Your "game face" attitude.

Your First Escape Room Awaits

Armed with these tips, you're ready to tackle your first escape room like a pro. Remember:

✅ Communicate constantly

✅ Search methodically

✅ Use hints without shame

✅ Focus on fun over winning

Ready to test these tips? Book your first escape at Riddle Me This and choose from:

**Horror:** Asylum, Family Secrets (Full Immersion or Psychological mode)

**Sci-Fi:** Project Beacon

**Heist:** Bank Heist

**Comedy:** Two lighter-themed rooms perfect for beginners

Pricing: $50 deposit, pay the rest at the door. Book Now Pay Later. 2-10 players, 60 minutes.

See you on the other side—hopefully before the clock hits zero. 🎯

First Time at an Escape Room? 10 Tips to Escape Like a Pro