First Escape Room? Here’s the Best Advice Game Masters can give you

Posted on March 14, 2026
by Monica Croxton
Escape rooms have been around for well over a decade, yet we still get new players every single day! This can be said for not only us, but also other companies in the industry. This consistent wave of newcomers might be due to a lack of nearby options, never having the chance to try one, or possibly even some hesitation about the idea of an “escape room” due to preconceived notions. 
Now that you’re ready to book a game, you have questions. However, with the wealth of tips and tricks available online, you’re unsure how to filter out the important information from the rest. The amount of information can seem intimidating, but don’t worry - we’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we’ve collected some helpful tips from our seasoned Game Masters. They’re here to offer you tips that they’ve seen work time and time again. Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have a successful first escape room experience!

Before Your Game

  1. Focus on Fun: Approach the experience with fun being your main goal. Escaping the room is definitely something you want to do, however, spending quality time with your group is more worthwhile!
  2. The Game Master is your ally: Your Game Master wants you to succeed and enjoy the game, so don’t hesitate to use them as a resource if you feel like you might need it. They are there to help you - not judge your choices and thoughts during the game. Sometimes hesitation can cost you!

During Your Game

  1. Think outside the box (but not too far): Creative thinking is highly encouraged in escape rooms! However, keep in mind that all groups can achieve the same answer with the provided clues, so try to avoid jumping to conclusions that don’t involve what you already have in front of you.
  2. Stay organized and efficient: Start your game by taking a general inventory of your surroundings. As you solve puzzles, it’s crucial to keep items you haven’t used yet separate from those you have. Remember, most of the time clues and codes are used only once per game.
  3. Communication is Key: Share your findings, explore different ideas together, and make sure you’re all on the same page. Be willing to listen to everyone’s ideas, no matter how silly they may seem. Most important of all, keep your cool no matter how stressful the timer running out can be. Tension and conflict are a surefire way of not escaping!
  4. Stay Focused: Resist overthinking or focusing too much on the small unrelated details. Approach your findings with an open mind. Focus on what the clue is trying to tell you: the answer is often right in front of you! Remember, puzzles require solving in order to progress, the answer won’t be handed to you.
  5. Get Help: Has it been a few minutes and your group is seemingly stuck? Go ahead and ask for that hint. Don’t feel embarrassed - help is allowed and even encouraged! It’s not always worth it to “tough it out” on your own. Even a little nudge in the right direction is better than being frustrated because you’re stuck on the same clue for 20 minutes.

Conclusion

Regardless of your experience level, we hope these tips will help make your first (or twentieth) escape room adventure the best it can be! Remember what we learned: approach the experience with a positive attitude, trust your Game Master, communicate with your team, and probably most importantly - have fun. 
Winning is a fantastic feeling, but the memories you make while playing are far more valuable. If you’re looking for more tips, check out some of our best escape room hacks. We look forward to meeting many more new players in the years to come!