Do you need any speed puzzling beginner strategies?
Competing in your first jigsaw puzzle competition can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. If you love puzzles but have never raced against the clock (or other puzzlers), you might be wondering: Where do I start? How do I prepare? What if I’m too slow?
Beginner Strategies for Your Best Puzzle Competition Yet…
The good news is that puzzle competitions are fun, welcoming, and a great way to challenge yourself. Whether you’re going solo or as part of a team, here are five simple but effective tips to help you feel confident at your first jigsaw puzzle competition. Forget about being new to the sport of fast jigsaw puzzle action, your beginner strategies will have you up to speed (yes, puzzle pun intended.)
Table of Contents
1. Practice with the Right Puzzle Size
One of the best ways to prepare for a competition is to practice solving puzzles that match the competition format. Most events use 500-piece or 1,000-piece puzzles, often from well-known brands.
If you are comfortable with the size of the jigsaw puzzle, it’s half of the battle. The beginner strategies most people don’t follow is knowing what the competition will be playing.
Find out what size and brand will be used at your event and practice with similar puzzles at home.
Time yourself to get a feel for how long it takes you to complete a puzzle solo or with teammates.
Try different strategies, like sorting by color or edge pieces first, to see what works best for you.
Practicing ahead of time will make you feel more comfortable on competition day.
2. Learn How to Sort Your Pieces Quickly
At the start of a competition, puzzle solvers flip over all the pieces and sort them as fast as possible. Having a system will save you valuable time!
Different quick sorting methods that are worthy of a look:
- Edge pieces first. Separate and start assembling the border.
- Color groups. Group similar colors and patterns together.
- Unique features. Look for faces, text, or objects that stand out.
Sorting might feel time-consuming at first, but it makes the solving process faster and smoother in the long run.
3. Stay Calm and Focused Under Pressure
Racing against the clock (and other puzzlers) can feel stressful, but staying calm is one of the best things you can do for your speed. Pressure sometimes is intense so it’s important that you pay attention to beginner strategies to keep up with the pros.
- Take deep breaths. If you start feeling overwhelmed.
- Keep your eyes moving. Don’t get stuck on one section for too long.
- Trust your instincts. Sometimes, the right piece is hiding in plain sight!
Puzzle competitions should be fun, so if you start feeling stressed, take a moment to reset and refocus.
4. Know Your Competition Rules and Setup
Every puzzle competition has different rules and conditions, so make sure you’re familiar with them before you start. Whether you are going against seasoned pros or just solving a puzzle a fun community puzzle event.
- Will you be solving solo or in a team?
- Can you talk with teammates, or do you have to be silent?
- What happens if two teams finish at the same time?
Also, pay attention to the puzzle competition table setup before you start:
- Make sure your puzzle box is easy to see.
- Spread out pieces so nothing is stacked or hidden.
- Adjust your style of sitting or standing so everyone has a good view.
- Knowing what to expect will help you avoid surprises on the big day.
5. Have Fun and Learn from the Experience
Even the best puzzlers don’t always win their first competition—and that’s okay! The most important thing is to have fun and learn from the experience.
- Watch how experienced puzzlers complete their puzzles. You might pick up a new strategy!
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone solves puzzles at their own pace.
- Celebrate small wins. Maybe you finished faster than your practice time or found a great sorting method.
Every competition will make you a better, faster, and more confident puzzler!
Final Thoughts
Your first jigsaw puzzle competition is a chance to challenge yourself, meet other puzzle lovers, and have a great time – whether you finish first or last. With these five simple tips, you’ll feel more prepared and ready to enjoy the puzzle speed experience.
So grab your puzzle board, start practicing, and get ready to compete! Hopefully our beginner strategies will offer up confidence and fun that makes you excited to play with other puzzle enthusiasts.
Are you competing for the first time? Have fun!
