Escape Room Rules That Every Player Needs to Know

Escape room rules are designed to help you stay safe, have a great time, and best of all… win the game! If you’re thinking about playing your first escape room game, knowing the most common escape room rules ahead of time will put you and your team at an advantage and help you make a successful escape.

Practical Escape Room Rules

These are the rules that keep everyone healthy and happy and the game functioning as it should. Review the following rules carefully to avoid a surprise when you arrive.

Make a Reservation

Top Los Angeles escape rooms can sell out fast, so it’s essential to book before you go. Most escape room games cater to groups of 2-6 people and you can usually modify your booking as long as you don’t exceed the minimum or the maximum number of players. We have some games that can hold 8 players at Quest Room. DaVinci’s Challenge at our Korea Town, LA location can even hold 10!

Changes to Your Booking…

For reservations that are paid for online, you usually won’t get a discount or refund if you reduce your group size on the day. If you add to your group, you will pay for the difference on arrival. Reservations that are canceled by the provider will either be refunded or a gift token will be provided so that your team can play at a later date.

Outerwear, Bags, and Large Items

It is essential not to take any outerwear, bags, or large items into the escape room. It can be difficult to navigate the room with these items in the way during the game. Additionally, they can accidentally damage the decorations or props in the room, which can result in extra fees or even the cancellation of the game. 

Most escape rooms have a designated area where you can store your belongings while you play. Ask your game master where to leave your things before the game starts.

Safety Regulations

The staff is always ready to assist with unforeseen situations. However, players should take precautions to ensure their safety during the game. This includes refraining from playing if feeling unwell, selecting a game in a genre that is more suitable if one is particularly frightened by certain themes, being cautious when interacting with objects related to electricity, watching one's step, avoiding arguments, and keeping a watchful eye on children. At least one accompanying adult is required for kid-friendly rooms.

Arrive Early

A common escape room rule is to arrive early—at least 15 minutes before your session is scheduled to begin. In these 15 minutes, you’ll have time to go to the bathroom, ask any questions you may have, and discuss your strategy together as a team. You’ll then enter the room and listen to the game master’s introduction. After that, it’s go time!

If You Are Late…

Because you’re booking a specific time slot, teams or team members who show up late will have less time to complete their game. You might even lose your session completely. As no refunds are issued for missing your slot, choose teammates who are likely to be on time. You could also meet up beforehand for a coffee or meal to give latecomers ample time to arrive.

Arrive Sober

A meal before an escape game is great. Drinks at a bar before your game aren’t so great. Playing intoxicated or under the influence puts you and your teammates in danger of injury. Let’s face it, a drunk team member won’t bring their A-game when it comes time to solve puzzles and clues. In fact, if they are visibly intoxicated, they might not even be allowed to play.

One Key - One Lock

Each key can only be used for one lock (to avoid confusion) unless otherwise stated by your game master. Once you've opened the puzzle, keep the key in the lock.

Use Hints

If you're stuck and need help, don't hesitate to use the unlimited number of hints available for each room. Contact your game master to get advice and keep progressing through the game. Don’t worry, hints are given in character at Quest Room—so it doesn’t pull you out of the story.

Getting Ready for Your Escape…

When you’ve got an escape room booked, do a bit of research about the kinds of clues you’re likely to find, put together a comfortable outfit (or a costume if you’re so inclined!), and come ready to challenge your wits. You’ll have a fun time putting your skills to the test and can celebrate with drinks afterward!

Go to the Bathroom before Your Session Begins

It might seem obvious, but going to the bathroom before your game is just plain common sense. You don’t want to pay a hundred dollars for a cinema-quality escape experience and miss most of the session by leaving the game to relieve yourself.

You Can Always Leave

You are always free to leave the game if you have a legitimate emergency—simply exit through the door you came in. However, you might not be allowed back in once you leave, so prepare ahead and only leave if you really must.

Forbidden Objects

Everything needed for escape room games is located inside the room, so you won’t need to bring tools for researching or writing things down. Many escape room companies (including Quest Room) forbid items like cell phones and cameras because this can be a problem for copyright and security reasons. You will very quickly be ushered out if you’re caught taking photos.

Dangerous Objects

There are several items that can be dangerous to have on you in an enclosed space, including lighters, vape pens, matches, and knives. If there are any items at all that you need to have with you on the day, leave them with your bag in the locker provided or hand them to a staff member for safekeeping.

Don’t Move the Furniture

In their fervor to find all the clues in the game room, some players might feel tempted to move the furniture and look for clues underneath, behind, and even on top of each piece. Some rooms instruct the players not to move the furniture to discount this possibility. If this is the case, you can be sure there is nothing hidden behind the bookcase and look for hidden objects elsewhere.

Don’t Stand on the Furniture

See something that’s out of reach? Rather than climbing up or standing on something, look for a tool to help you reach it. As mentioned earlier, escape rooms are meant to be beaten. The clues should be accessible to all whether you are short or tall. If you need to grab it, there will be a way.

Don’t Damage Anything

Escape rooms are designed to be beaten by regular people. You won’t be given puzzles or hidden objects that require a bodybuilder or brute force. If you’re not sure if something is supposed to open, simply ask the game master. If not, turn your attention to the other things in the room—the answer might be right under your nose!

Obey the Signs

Likewise, a sign that says “Do not touch,” “Do not open,” “Do not climb,” or “Not a clue,” is not a red herring or just there for looks. There are some necessary objects in each room such as emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits that might be present but not part of the game. If you interfere with an item that’s off-limits, your team might be asked to leave.

What You Do There, Stays There

Escape room companies work very hard to create unique escape games that will challenge your wits and delight the senses, knowing that escape aficionados may visit dozens of rooms. So, once you exit the door, it’s “Mom’s the word” on details about the setting, clues, and twists in the plot. You don’t want to spoil the surprise for others who may visit the same room as you!

Strategic Escape Room Rules

These are the escape room rules that will give you a good chance of escaping the room within the hour. Following rules like these with your team will help you solve the puzzles and escape the room.

Designate a Clue Repository

At the beginning of the game, designate a central spot where the team members can place the various clues they find. You’ll save a lot of time spent on re-finding the same clues and can try different methods for solving the clues and puzzles that arise.

Designate a Discard Pile

Most escape rooms are designed so that each clue is used only once. If the game master mentions this rule, create a discard pile separate from your clue pile at the start to avoid wasting time trying keys that have already been used.

Work in Pairs

As they say, “two is better than one.” In an escape room, working in pairs can help you find something you’ve missed or look at a puzzle in a whole new light. Your buddy can also go over the nooks and crannies you’ve checked and might just spot a clue you missed.

Speak Loudly

The other key to escape rooms is communicating with your team. If you find clues or have an idea, say something and speak loudly! Likewise, listen to your teammates. Their idea might just help you solve the puzzle that’s got you stumped.

Get Down Low

Escape rooms are bursting at the seams with props, clues, puzzles, and codes, and you’ll have a better chance of finding them all if you search both high and low. This is a great opportunity to use the strength of numbers as well—send your taller members searching high and children (or those with strong knees) to search down low.

5-Minute Puzzle Rule

If you’ve already spent five minutes trying to figure out a puzzle, let someone else have a go. You might be sure you’re the only person who can solve it. However, a different point of view, a different skill set, or a teammate with additional information might be exactly what’s needed to solve the puzzle.

Why Escape Room Rules Are Important

The following are some of the top reasons escape room rules are important.

Help You Get Started Faster

You need to understand and follow the rules to get the most out of your escape room experience. Not only will this ensure maximum enjoyment and success, but it will also help you avoid any potential mishaps or misunderstandings.

Many escape rooms require players to complete paperwork or other administrative tasks before the game begins. Arriving at the venue with plenty of time to spare ensures you can complete these tasks before the game begins.

It's worth noting that arriving late to a room escape game in Los Angeles can have a negative impact on your chances of success. If you have less time to solve the puzzles, you may find it more stressful and more difficult to escape before the clock runs out. Research shows that stress negatively impacts cognitive function. If you want to win, arrive on time.

Increase Chances of Winning

When playing an escape room, it’s important to listen to the rules carefully, even if you are excited about the escape game's theme or objective. The rules will tell you what you can and cannot do—this limits your options and helps you avoid wasting your time on things you don’t need to worry about! 

Keep You and the Physical Objects Safe

Escape room instructions keep you and your teammates safe by prohibiting activities that could cause injuries. Following the escape room rules also prevents damage to the game props and decorations, which can result in extra fees or even cancellation of the game. This is an especially important point to keep in mind if you have previously completed virtual escape rooms rather than live escape rooms.

So, even though nobody likes being told what not to do, following an escape room guide is essential to enjoying the game to the fullest. 

The Most Important Escape Room Rule

Escape rooms are exciting and stimulating, and sometimes put your patience to the test. However, it’s important to remember that the fun is in the playing of the game. If you don’t win, you can always come back at a later date and try the escape room again.

If you’re new to escape rooms in Los Angeles, pay attention, follow the escape room rules, and work as a team. You might not win the game on your first try. However, you’re sure to have a fantastic time!