Escape rooms are a ton of fun, but they can also be very challenging. There are a number of pitfalls that may befall your team if you don't keep your wits about you. Poor communication, bad team chemistry and a host of other obstacles can all spell doom for a team in any given room. So, whether you're a seasoned vet or a noob getting locked in for the first time, here are seven of the most common escape room hazards and what you can do to avoid them!

1. Poor Team Dynamics

Everyone has something to offer in an escape room, but it can be especially beneficial when a team has a variety of interests and talents. 

Play to each of your teammates' strengths to maximize your chances of solving clues quickly -- while your numbers guru is cracking the math code, get your history buff to analyze the old map and have your literature nut cracking on the Shakespeare clue. If you have diverse perspectives and interests on your team, you've already set yourself up for more likely success!

2. Pride Cometh Before the Fall

There's nothing wrong with being confident about your puzzle room skills, but if you're having trouble with a room, don't let ego get in the way of success. It's a team game, and that means trusting your fellow escapees and admitting when you don't know what to do next. 

Ask for hints, listen closely to the game operator, and don't assume anything. The sooner the ego takes a back seat, the sooner the team will be on it's way to sweet escape. A wise man once said, 'Confidence is the food of the wise man but the liquor of the fool.' Speaking of liquor…

3. Too Much Booze

Did you know there is a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and poor escape room performance? It's true! It may seem like a good idea for the group to throw down a few pre-game cocktails to drum up team spirit, but all too often that energy doesn't translate to successfully solving puzzles or remembering specific clues. 

An escape room is a great part of any night out, just make sure it comes before any stops at the brewery. Save the drinks for the celebration after you escape!

4. Poor Math Skills

All those times you skipped Algebra 1 to hang out with your friends might come back to haunt you in an escape room. There most likely won't be any ring theory or calculus to deal with, but being quick on your feet with basic algebra and multiplication can be a huge asset when it comes to solving puzzle rooms. 

Add a numbers brainiac to your roster so that your team can confidently analyze any math-related clues!

5. Stuck in the Mud

It happens to the best of us: the team is solving clues with ease, spirits are high, and it feels like we'll be strutting out of this escape room in no time, when suddenly... the wheels fall off. All of that great momentum comes to a screeching halt when one clue has the whole team confused. 

When you find yourself hung up, immediately start asking how you got to that point and where you ultimately need to go. Retracing the moves that led you to the problem, while also taking a step back to look at the big picture can often reveal the answer quicker than agonizing over a specific clue for too long.

6. Overthinking

There will no doubt be some false leads and misdirects throughout any given escape room. It's definitely good to double-check your surroundings, but don't get so in your head that you end up analyzing every nook and cranny of a room just because they're there. 

Remember that these rooms are designed to be challenging, but they're also designed to be solved. Attention to detail is essential, but use logic -- don't page through every book on the shelf, don't count every coin in the jar -- don't make it hard on yourself by thinking that every shiny object needs to be analyzed. Overthinking often leads to panic, which has never helped a team escape!

7. Clumped Together

Spread out, especially at the beginning, and make sure everyone on your team is actively looking around the room. More eyes don't necessarily mean more insight if they're all looking at the same thing. Rarely is the clue right in front of you. 

In fact, most of the time it takes opening drawers, rifling through a stack of books, or looking behind a plant. Have your team canvas the room and shout out information as they see it. While the clues are coming in, it might be a good idea to have a 'secretary' to help keep the first wave of information organized since many initial discoveries will be used later in the escape.

There You Have It!

By working together and staying cool, you'll be able to avoid these slippery slopes and enjoy a successful escape. Remember to stay active, be a team player, and, most importantly, have fun!