Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at shona@tnpuzzleevents.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is a jigsaw puzzle speed competition?

It’s a timed contest where participants race to complete a puzzle as quickly as possible. The fastest solver (or team) wins!

Who can participate?

Puzzle lovers of all ages and skill levels are welcome.
Everyone is welcome—no residency or citizenship requirements. If you love puzzles, you’re in the right place!
Puzzle fans of all ages may participate. Competitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the venue.

Do I need to be an expert puzzler to join?

Not at all! Whether you’re a casual puzzler or a seasoned speed-solver, everyone is invited.

What is a Newbie?

If you have participated in 3 or less in person competitions (any category/location) you will classify as a Newbie (this will be noted on the registration).
We trust participants to honestly declare themselves as Newbies, but prizes may be withheld if it is found that someone has misrepresented their status
There will be specific prizes for the fastest Newbie in each event!

How do I register?

Register online as an individual, pair, or team. The link to the Eventbrite registration page can be found on the event page.
Registration can be for individual sessions or the full weekend.

Can I join even if I don’t have a partner or team?

Yes! Sign up as an individual or pair, and we can match you with additional teammates.

Are registrations refundable or transferable?

Registrations are transferable but not refundable

What puzzle will we be completing?

A sealed puzzle—brand new and identical for all competitors—will be provided at your table.
All puzzles are supplied for the competition to keep things fair and fun.

How long do competitions usually last?

This depends on the puzzle size and event type – see the schedule for all timing

What are the different events?

See our competition format page for more information on the individual events

What can I bring to help me puzzle?

Sorting trays, box-top stands, silent headphones, and small recording devices are allowed if they don’t disturb others.

Can I listen to music?

Yes—but only through silent headphones. No external audio.

Are electronic devices allowed?

Yes, if used solely for filming your own puzzle area and not interfering with others.

How is timing handled?

Events use timers, spotters, or verified self-timing depending on the category.

What if a puzzle piece is missing?

A spotter will record your time. If the piece appears later, a small-time penalty may apply (max 10 seconds); if it’s a manufacturing defect, no penalty is added. See the rules for full details.

What happens if I don't finish?

It doesn't matter - remember, this is for fun!
Your remaining pieces are counted and used to determine your ranking. See the rules for full details.

When should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time.
Arriving more than 30 minutes after the start time results in forfeiture.

Can spectators watch?

Yes—spectators are welcome in designated areas but must remain quiet and respectful.

Do I get to keep the puzzle after the competition?

Absolutely! The puzzle is yours to take home.

Are there prizes?

Yes!
Prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each event.
A prize is awarded to the fastest Newbie in each event.
Additional prizes will be awarded to the top three fastest puzzlers of the entire weekend, determined by combined times from designated “fastest puzzler” events. Competitors must participate in all required events (marked with an * on the event page schedule) to be eligible for weekend-overall prizes.
Prizes for non-jigsaw puzzle events will be drawn from the correct solutions entered.

Will the event be recorded or photographed?

Parts of the event may be filmed or photographed for promotional use. Your presence grants consent for this.
You may film yourself - as long as your setup does not interfere with other competitors or capture them without permission.

Can I request special seating or accommodations?

Yes—please contact us during registration

What if I need to leave during the event?

You may leave/re-enter, but the timer will continue.

Is food or drink allowed?

Water bottles with lids are permitted during the events. All other food and drink should remain outside the competition area.

COMPETITION RULES

General Eligibility

Who Can Join:
Everyone is welcome—no residency or citizenship requirements. If you love puzzles, you’re in the right place!

Age Requirements:
Puzzle fans of all ages may participate. Competitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the venue.

Registration

You may register as an individual, pair, or team (teams consist of 4 people, organized as 2 pairs).
All participants must provide names and email addresses at registration.
Registered as an individual or pair but want a full team? We’ll match you with additional teammates at random. (Note: assigned teammates may differ between competitions.)
If you register as a full team, you’ll compete together for all team events and must identify your pairs on the registration form ( Puzzler 1 & 2 will be assigned as a pair and Puzzler 3 & 4 will be a pair )
If you register as a pair, you’ll compete together for all pairs events and will be matched randomly with others for any team events.
All registrations are transferable and non-refundable.
True North Puzzle Events reserves the right to refuse registration or admission.

Personal Belongings

Keep your items close! True North Puzzle Events is not responsible for lost or misplaced personal belongings.

Rules & Decisions

The rulings of True North Puzzle Events and event staff are final.
If any situation arises that isn’t covered in these guidelines, staff will make a fair determination.

Photos & Videos

By attending, you agree that:

Your name may appear on True North Puzzle Events’ website or social media.
Portions of the event may be filmed or photographed.
Your presence at the venue serves as consent to be filmed, photographed, or recorded, and for that content to be used on our website and social platforms.

If you do not agree to this, please do not enter the event area.

Competition Day Procedures

Arrival & Table Numbers

Arrive at least15 minutes before your scheduled competition start time.
Table numbers will be posted on our master participant lists—look for your assigned spot.
Once doors open, you may enter the competition area and get settled.
Arrivals more than 30 minutes late will forfeit participation.

Competition Room Rules

Only participants, judges, and authorized staff are allowed in the competition area.
All tables are pre-assigned for each round.
If you require special seating or accessibility accommodations, please request this during registration.
Spectators are welcome but must stay in the designated viewing area.
- Please be respectful—quiet observation only.
- Conversations should happen outside the competition zone.
No touching, opening, unsealing, or manipulating puzzle bags or boxes until the host officially starts the timer.
Top 20 puzzlers in each individual heat get though to the final.
Your fastest puzzler time is calculated by adding together the times for all the events marked with the *. Your fastest individual time automatically gets used (so if your time in your heat was fastest than your time in the final we will use your heat time & vice versa).

The Competition

Puzzle Start

Each table will receive a sealed puzzle bag. Do not open it before the timer begins.
When the timer starts, open your bag and begin assembling your puzzle adventure!
All competition puzzles are yours to keep afterward.
- Because the puzzles are custom-ordered, we cannot offer replacements for manufacturing defects.
Participants arriving more than 30 minutes after start time forfeit their spot.

Permitted Items

You may bring:

Box-top holders or stands to keep your image reference visible
Sorting trays, as long as they don’t interfere with neighbours
Headphones, no external sound—silent use only
Recording equipment (table clamps or small tripods), provided it does not obstruct or record other participants

Timing

Events use a combination of spotters and self-timing.
Puzzle Chess competitors must download a chess-timing app befor the event.

Missing Pieces

If you’re missing a piece:

Inform your spotter—they will record your finish time.
If you later find the missing piece, a corrected time will be recorded - up to a 10-second maximum penalty.
If the piece never appears, it will be treated as a manufacturing issue no penalty.

Finishing & Exiting

Once you finish, please collect your puzzle and personal items and exit th competition area quietly so remaining puzzlers can stay focused.
If you do not finish within the allotted time, you must stop when instructed.
- Remaining pieces will be used to determine placement.
- Clusters of 3 count as assembled

Table Space

Individuals and pairs will share a table with at least 3 ft of personal puzzling space.
Teams receive a full table with a minimum of 6 ft of space.
Tables will be assigned randomly

Frequently Asked Questions

COMPETITION RULES

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