Virtual puzzle competitions have become the biggest trend in the jigsaw puzzle world. might just be the perfect arena for you. With the rise in popularity of online gaming, puzzle enthusiasts can now showcase their talents on a global stage, competing against players from around the world. And they don’t have to even leave the house.
I remember the first virtual puzzle competitions I ever entered. They were not at all as I expected. Alone in a room connected to the Internet, it was me and 11 other individuals playing the same jigsaw puzzle at the same time. We were competing against each other while sitting in homes in different countries. Honestly, I forgot about the camera (and the live feed) until a winner was declared (nope, it wasn’t me.)
The chance to be around puzzle enthusiasts, even if it is virtually, is something I recommend. Unfortunately, it’s pretty obvious that for most of us living in the United States yet outside of California, has a different experience than others. The west coast has obviously dominated this hobby and has taken the greater part of all the resources too. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time though. It just means you should consider virtual puzzle competitions as one of the best resources for your puzzling adventures.
Are you a jigsaw puzzle fanatic looking to take your skills to the next level?
Table of Contents
Benefits of Participating in Virtual Puzzle Competitions
Participating in virtual puzzle competitions offers numerous benefits for puzzle enthusiasts. The big take away for me is it provides an opportunity to connect. I’ve competed with fellow puzzle lovers from all over the world.
These competitions bring together a diverse range of players, each with their own unique puzzle-solving skills and techniques. After the event is over, the chatting begins and I learn so much talking to other puzzlers. By engaging, you can learn from other puzzle players, gain valuable insights, and improve your own puzzle-solving abilities. Of course, it forces you to practice as well. You can’t compete if your skills aren’t sharp.
Push Your Personal Limits
Virtual puzzle competitions offer a platform to challenge yourself and push your limits. As you compete against players of varying skill levels, you will encounter puzzles that test your abilities in different ways. This constant exposure to new challenges will help you expand your problem-solving skills. I can tell how I’ve grown and become a more versatile puzzle solver.
Mental Preparation and Focus for Virtual Puzzle Competitions
Virtual puzzle competitions require mental preparation and focus. If you want to perform at your best, you need to show up expecting the best from yourself. You might be at home, but when you’re virtually playing, you are actually focused on your puzzle too
Here are some strategies to help you prepare mentally:
- Visualize Success. Before the competition, visualize yourself solving puzzles with ease and achieving your goals. Positive visualization can boost your confidence and set a positive mindset for the competition.
- Manage Stress. Competition can be stressful, but excessive stress can hinder your performance. Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or listening to calming music to stay calm and focused.
- Set Realistic Goals. Define realistic goals for each competition. Instead of focusing solely on winning, set goals related to personal improvement, such as solving a puzzle within a specific time limit or achieving a higher accuracy rate.
- Stay Positive and Persistent. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in virtual puzzle competitions. Maintain a positive attitude and stay persistent even when faced with difficult puzzles or tough opponents. Learn from each experience and use it as an opportunity to grow.
- Take Care of Yourself Prioritize self-care before and during the competition. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in physical activities to keep your mind and body in optimal condition.
Whatever Happens: Have Fun
The idea of playing at jigsaw puzzle competitions is all about having fun. If you are looking to win, that’s good too. Yet, you need to be realistic. The reason everyone wants to face off in a challenge for the fastest puzzle construction is they want to find their personal best time. You can easily do that if you have the best mindset and be ready to play. Nobody loses if they’ve done their best. Yes, it’s important that you are graceful if you’re not named the winner or your name isn’t on top of the board, but you need to have fun for the process.
How We Play Matters to Our Speed Puzzling Times
How we play really does matter when it comes to our best speed puzzling times. By preparing mentally and staying focused, you can perform at your best and enjoy a more rewarding experience in virtual puzzle competitions. The more you play, practice and be part of all the different opportunities, the better your time will be when you assemble your next jigsaw puzzle at a puzzle competition.
