Oops I cheated at the biggest puzzle competition in America

Get an exclusive video about all of the training I did before and during Winter Carnival:
/ karenpuzzles
Watch my recap video from last year’s Winter Carnival:
• I competed in the bigg...
Watch my videos about the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships:
• I went to the WORLD JI...
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Thank you to the St Paul Winter Carnival for putting on such a great event! If you want to take part next year or have any questions for the organizers, check out their website:
www.wintercarn...
Get the same puzzles used in this year’s contest:
Hello Winter - www.puzzletwis...
Crazy for Loons - www.puzzletwis...
Old Time Hockey -
www.puzzletwis...
You can also get many of the Puzzle Twist puzzles on Amazon:
amzn.to/3jZB12L
(affiliate link)
Want to try speed puzzling yourself? Use code KAREN for $5 off your first contest at:
www.speedpuzzl...
(I’ll earn a small commission)
Check out this page for all of the upcoming in-person puzzle contests:
www.speedpuzzl...
Check out the documentary Wicker Kittens, which is all about this puzzle contest:
wickerkittens....
Watch it for free: tubitv.com/mov...
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Thank you to my sister Katie for helping with the data and charts.
Competition footage filmed by mill55.com
Additional footage provided by Bick Smith, CyBick Productions
Winner photos provided by YerADogToo Designs
A huge thank you to the St. Paul Winter Carnival for providing funding for the event and PuzzleTwist for providing the puzzles.
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Twitter: / karenpuzzles
Instagram: / karenpuzzles
TikTok: / karenpuzzles
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#puzzle #jigsawpuzzles #jigsaw 🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩

[@KarenPuzzles]

Make sure to check out the description for links to everything I talked about and to get the puzzles to try for yourself. And remember that I put up an exclusive Patreon video about all of the extra training that my friends and I did outside of this competition. And of course, let me know what you think about the discussion topic that I brought up at the end 👀

[@MarvelX42]

I noticed something from this video that might help you in the future. I saw that you and your team member were doing alot of leaning your whole bodies over the table, where as every team that beat you were only reaching across the table. I think that maybe with the reaching instead of the leaning they tend to get in each others way alot less and thus they complete the puzzles faster. Just something to consider.

[@brianfolsom9799]

I’m very happy for you! Did you cheat by accident? Hand position is key 🔑. My mother’s birthday is this Wednesday (2/28). I could just cry 😭 for her. I think she’s in heaven right now. Good luck on the next competition!

[@JLvatron]

I had guessed your cheating was when 2 of you switched positions during the game. I know, I was grasping!

[@hnichole]

This is such a minor part of the video but I just really respect Karen for blurring out the face of the minor who was on the winning family team, Karen is just such a lovely person all around.

[@KarenPuzzles]

Yes I wanted to blur any minors whose names could be found.

[@Dhdjksjsnsnsnnsnsna]

I wanted to comment the same thing! Really appreciate Karen respecting their privacy even though these photos are technically publicly available!

[@Schnellanie]

Noticed it too, loved it!

[@Sarahr98998]

I live for the awkward 4-person high fives as each team finishes lolll

[@goat5hit]

35:07 room- silence sarah- WOOOAAAHHHHHHHHH*echos

[@danten8976]

And I love them 🙏🏻💖

[@headswillroll89]

I feel like this four should sort out a "finishing move". That would be awesome

[@headswillroll89]

Sorry, I hadn't seen it yet. That was awesome. I feel karen should do slomo in the future

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

​@@goat5hitoops 😅😅

[@tananario23]

I think the best part was having the artists there! They looked so happy to see people working on their designs. 😊

[@KarenPuzzles]

It must be so surreal to see us all analyzing the design from a speed puzzling perspective after they spent so long drawing them!

[@TonyHammitt]

@@KarenPuzzlesIt's surreal for us to see the props from your 3000 piece puzzle on your shelves after putting it together! 😊

[@xtentasticx]

Just realized you're not just competing to see who can finish a puzzle the fastest, but who can be the first ever to complete it

[@whatthehelliot]

woah i never thought of that!!

[@samjensen392]

I love how close-knit the community is that you can just switch teams and partners around and still cheer on your competitors because they were once your teammates and probably will be again at some point

[@nilsp9426]

So true. And it does not make winning any less meaningful.

[@jmg999]

I never would've believed that I would watch a 75-minute video about puzzling, but here we are. Karen, your content is so compelling, and I think what I like most about these tournament videos is the sense of community I see among all the competitors.

[@isabellerininger6249]

Me too! I stumbled onto this channel and now I can’t get enough! The data complication , the camaraderie, the happiness is just amazing!! I’m loving it!

[@yamacastilho7601]

The idea of puzzlers running and "fighting" for their tables is crazy! And so funny! Such a different feel. I kinda love it. 😂

[@myreadingisodd]

Me screaming at my husband while building ikea furniture tells me I would not be a good teammate for this 😂

[@nici0246]

Who doesn't end up in a small fight while building ikea furniture 🤣

[@50sRockChick]

😂 ha, me too.

[@JT1358]

At least IKEA furniture comes with instructions... sort of 😁

[@stacygahlon2442]

In general, it was fun for us regular people to see "puzzle celebrities" at the competition. Because of your channel, and the other videos you introduced me to, I recognized so many people. What fun!

[@mariaj3263]

agree!

[@BridgetMarietta]

Also agree!

[@patrickhanft]

Karen, I am just so impressed by how you and many of your puzzle friends practically self-organize the great video coverage of such a event. While you complain, how difficult it is to film this, just the fact, that your competitors themselves provide you with some of the footage to give you the opportunity to do great story telling, shows all the excitement, friendliness, respect and love you share for your common passion of speed puzzling and for each other. This is just so beautiful to witness, all with the twist I would usually have no interest at all in a regional event in another country on another continent. Thank you for sacrificing your time to do give us such a video!

[@KarenPuzzles]

I'm just waiting for GoPro to sponsor us and put a camera at every table! Imagine a live feed where you could click between any table you wanted 😮

[@patrickhanft]

@@KarenPuzzles I'd love that 😄

[@Alsadius]

@@KarenPuzzles Not a bad idea at Nationals/Worlds, but for something like this it might not be ideal. Lots of casual puzzlers who aren't used to competitions might be really put off by that. (Or at least, that's my first guess. You're the one who actually goes to these events, so if I'm wrong, fair enough.)

[@kenbrunet6120]

@@AlsadiusI'm sure some people would be turned off by being on camera. I've never been to a puzzle competition but I think it would be fun to be able to be seen by friends and family through some form of streaming.

[@kcandyou5263]

It cpuld be only those who agree to a camera at their spot ​@Alsadius

[@adam-l74]

I can’t believe how calm you are when you’re in competition and realize a piece is missing! I’d be freaking out 😂

[@KarenPuzzles]

There were so many pieces on the floor in this event!

[@MadiganinPeach]

​@@KarenPuzzles I imagine it would be easier to leave them on the floor when they drop cuz you never know who's missing what piece until the very end 😂

[@helimonni]

Hi Karen! My first time commenting, but I've been binging on your videos for the last month or so after the algorithm decided to show them to me, and immediately, I was hooked! I've done puzzles on and off for years, but now I've got a new drive for puzzling, and even my 3 and 5 year olds have become interested in them. The 5-yo just did her first 100 piece, My little pony puzzle and she was so proud. You put such effort into your videos that even an hour long video keeps me glued to the screen! Thank you and greetings from Finland! 😊

[@KarenPuzzles]

This is too precious 😭

[@sombrego2260]

I can relate to that I've been going to bed pretty late several times for over a week now binging on your videos. Very high quality production, fun to watch and it's really cool to see the competitive part of the hobby as well. Kudos!

[@jordanlind1944]

I was literally about to comment how much of inspiration she is for me too!! I went from rolling my eyes every time my mom got out a puzzle during the holidays, to completing my first 5,000 piece all by myself! Love Karen and love your puzzle drive as well!!❤🧩

[@UtahGmaw99]

She is a champion for sure! Your 3 year old will not be far behind. I'm a grandma so I know all and see all so I know! lol

[@helimonni]

@@jordanlind1944 wow 5000! What was it? How long did it take you? 🤩

[@RonHarrisMe]

Ya Know? I accidentally clicked on one of Karen's World Puzzling Championship videos a few weeks back (it happens, right?). I have to say, this is FASCINATING. I watched all of them, and thought, holy smokes, this is a real thing. It's one of those “rabbit holes” you never knew existed. I know nothing nor do I care about puzzles in any way, shape, or form. I have never done a puzzle in my life, nor do I wish to. AND YET… Karen's enthusiasm is contagious, her “love of the game” is infectious. Based on nearly 300k subs, I am apparently not alone. WATCH Karen's World Puzzle Video series, it's a great watch.

[@cypriennezed5640]

EB is just a ray of sunshine - what a great puzzle partnership!!🎉🎉

[@wilhelminecoste1464]

Hi Karen! Unfortunately I don't organize, but I have participated in swing dancing competitions and thought you might want to chat with swing dance scene organizers about high-level local competitions. The point of many swing dancing events -- called "exchanges" -- is to showcase the local talent of a city or town, so the desire to not crowd out the locals is something scene organizers have thought a lot about. There are invitationals, pro-ams (where pros compete on a team with amateurs), and specific qualifying competitions for other, larger comps similar to nationals and worlds for puzzling. I think it's one of the things the swing dance scene in general does really well. Personally, I also like the idea that someone else mentioned about having separate prizes for locals. That also allows for small businesses to donate prizes more freely since lower cost donations like gift cards aren't going to be used by out-of-towners but will definitely be used by locals. Anyways, let me know if you want me to put you in touch with swing dance scene organizers in LA!

[@miandagny]

"Luckily they released the artist ahead of time for this event" well I certainly hope they don't get imprisoned too much for these events 😮

[@alissa6380]

the way i almost did a spittake at that 😂😂 thank you for the laugh

[@rwdavidoff]

Really cool they brought the artists out to get to see their puzzles done at competition.

[@dche64]

An hour and thirteen minute video! Is it my birthday already?

[@KarenPuzzles]

There was a lot to get through!

[@Diane4mail]

Karen not double-checking the rules? What a twist! Thanks for a very fun video. I love being an armchair speed puzzler.

[@carriemummy]

Me too! I love puzzling but speed puzzling sounds stressful. I'll just keep watching Karen do it lol😅

[@asuwannabe2015]

The thing that I love about the time lapse clips of other people either setting up or coming into the room, is that you can see so many other people taking/making videos of their own! the puzzling community has grown so much with youtube and it's so cool to see how much content you can find of puzzling now!!!!!

[@Mark_LaCroix]

I know that train station and wanted to share that "the podium" that Karen refers to is actually a permanent feature of that lobby space. Neat that they used it for that purpose, very fitting.

[@pierQRzt180]

A 1 hour video on a puzzle competition? Ah, finally something that fills the evening. I wanted to watch a film, but those are 2nd Tier in comparison.

[@susanbudig3294]

I'm a Minnesotan my whole life. I liked seeing the puzzle-celebs and thought it was fun to have out-of-towners participate. I think both of those aspects encourage the Winter Carnival as a whole. It's not only us Minnesotans, but people from all over bringing energy and dollars to our state. It's also nice to have a positive spin on Minnesota Winter since we usually have publicity of another flavor. I wouldn't want there to be separate prizes/tiers for locals and non-locals because that makes us (Minnesotans) into whiners and xenophobic hicks. LOL, okay, that wasn't very Minnesota Nice of me, was it? ;)

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

This might be one of the most wholesome videos and competitions on KZbin. I adore your passion and devotion to the "sport" and how you have grown with your channel. 😊

[@josoona]

Your competition series of videos are my favorites from your channel!! I love getting a glimpse into the community and you do an amazing job of covering them. I especially love your graphics that show the stats. You have a talent for displaying them very concisely. Thanks Karen!

[@KarenPuzzles]

Thank you so much!

[@RangeWilson]

The organizers really have to assign tables. Having people waste time in line, combined with potential injuries and liabilities, combined with disadvantaging the old/frail/differently-abled... not a good look. Bonus points if they seed the top teams in some way so they are near each other.

[@4star62]

Could they only have rectangle tables?

[@ladyelainefairchild3546]

They should have a drawing for tables the night before. That would be a fun event for people and eliminate the run. Say the table number then draw a team name.

[@hotdesertmopars]

I agree. That looks like an accident waiting to happen. 🥴

[@erjusik]

Same thoughts here, why can't they just randomly assign the tables. I feel like it would be more fair and less silly than making people run for the table as if it's some sort of a black Friday sale

[@brainout5852]

@@ladyelainefairchild3546 yeah that's a great idea! a drawing of some sort or semi-random assignment sounds like a good solution.

[@mariaj3263]

I participated this year w my sister and nieces after learning about it from your video from last year. They are all local and yet didn't know about it until I told them! I can't speak for them and all Minnesotans but I don't think it's a problem for people to come in to participate, as I also drove in from Ohio to be there. It was sooo much fun. We finished the puzzle within the time which was our only goal, and had a blast! During pairs I was 2 tables away from Jeanne and Cathy Roiter, which made me a little giggly. It was fun to be able to recognize a lot of the top puzzlebrities from your videos! I didn't actually see Karen but I saw EB and Sarah and the Golden State Puzzlers w their recognizable shirts.

[@KarenPuzzles]

I'm so happy to hear you had a good time. I hope I get to meet you next year!

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

If they are all local they should compete in the contests I'm hosting around the cities!

[@hotdesertmopars]

That's so great to hear! I will be participating at Nationals in San Diego next month. Thank you for your input. I also like "puzzlebrities".😉😄

[@shaunhartline4951]

In your 500 piece team event I noticed that the bulk of your pieces where on the far end of the table from the camera. When you showed the Timelapse it confirmed what I thought I was seeing. Two of your puzzlers where handy capped trying to find pieces from across the table. The winning team had a better dispersion across the table. Not sure if that will help you or not. Anyway great content as always.

[@michellehartsfield1342]

I noticed the same thing, lost opportunity

[@yadaroni]

The quality of your videos is consistently excellent. The time and effort really shows.

[@thomasdegroat6039]

The timelapse of the Betches (hope that's okay to call them that) is crazy. It looks like pieces are just falling into place. It was a bunch of scattered pieces until suddenly huge sections were being connected out of nowehere.

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

❤❤❤❤

[@clairep3688]

I think having an expert division would make a lot of sense. It could be similar to last year where there was no vetting process, or they could ask that people who have been to xyz amount of speed puzzle competitions outside Minnesota sign up for that division. And like the family vs pairs event it could be at the same time and you could have a reserved set of tables together and compete for a different set of prizes, like a trophy or button but save the local art and gift certificates for the other division, and they could also compete for the place buttons.

[@really-quite-exhausted]

I loved the footage of everyone running to find a table in the morning. It looks so cool because they are running diagonally between round tables and it looks like people are crossing over and filtering through.

[@Trigillia]

The Roiter sisters have got to be the coolest people on the planet.

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

Agreed

[@SprongBobbles]

this is a feature film, Karen!!! omg i can’t wait to watch this before bed tonight!!!

[@jacksyoutubechannel4045]

Aww. This jacket (@ 0:02:24) reminds me so much of my American Girl jacket when I was a kid. What a great memory!

[@KarenPuzzles]

It is the American Girl jacket! I saw it in an old catalog I was looking at and bought it on ebay 😂

[@Bahnzye]

I had no idea that The Winter Carnival was the biggest puzzle competition in the country! I live in MN and always hear about it!

[@swift1374a]

I love the speed puzzling videos because it's like a whole TV series with a full cast of characters to follow along with now (Sarah, EB, Tammy, Yvonne, The Roiter sisters, etc). I'm only half way through so maybe there is more on this, but I'm interested to understand how much the competition has grown in terms of world class speed puzzlers. I don't recall if there was such a big presence last year. Like were the golden state puzzlers there in 2023? I feel like this channel has brought so much more limelight to this competition.

[@DuluthTW]

I've lived near St. Paul for years and never knew there was a puzzle competition as part of the Winter Carnival. I'm definitely going to volunteer for the event next year. I hope to see you there. Thanks for sharing!

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

What an amazing recap, Karen! Thanks so much for showing off Minnesota and my favorite competition of the year ❤️ see you soon

[@KarenPuzzles]

You were the star of the weekend! 🌟

[@birchlotus]

I haven't finished watching the previous two videos yet (i will, don't worry), but I'm just way too excited to wait for this one.

[@Kiwimarauder]

Your puzzle competition videos are my favourites, I love statistics and I love the positive vibe between the competitors. I was so confused when all three conpetitions were finished and I hadnt seen you cheating, checking the comments to see if I missed something. Then you adressed it, for anyone wondering: 59:59

[@benloud8740]

I love these competition videos. It seems like everyone is having a really awesome time. This seems to be one of those comps where its genuinely not really about winning but about having fun

[@itsmephil2255]

I'm not a puzzler, but really enjoy the videos Karen And who knew there were jigsaw puzzles competitions?? That's pretty awesome 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@Thecolonel795]

Your enthusiasm is infectious and should be an example for anyone facing a challenge.

[@lauraberkholtz7959]

My son and I drove over from Wisconsin for the Winter Carnival this year and had a blast! It was so fun to see so many familiar faces from KZbin and Worlds. I don't think it detracted from the competition, especially because Minnesota puzzlers are some of the fastest in the world.

[@missjoshemmett]

TWIST I think you are right about Minnesota as I think (and I could be wrong), it was originally thought of as a family event to have some fun together. We don't do that any more. Since so many families signed up, I wonder if there could be a way of making it a two day event with one day being a 'family fun day' with typical carnival-type prizes and "everyone wins something and a sticker, I PUZZLED". Anyone could sign up for the other day with the trophies, buttons, etc. and just the top winning the prizes. You are very smart and caring but you come from a good family background where you do things together, like puzzles, and that makes a big difference. And this was fun! Thank you.

[@brew.3032]

That last puzzle!!! I’m so impressed at how fast your team did it! Seriously nothing to snooze about! ❤

[@GuruGoodwin]

Professional Chess players make exercise a key component of their training. It may seem mental but physical endurance is important. For your next year's world competition you might add that to your regimen. I love your videos. 🥰🤸‍♀⛹‍♀🏃‍♀

[@claireknighton4043]

You’ve inspired me to turn my speed puzzling hobby into an ambition for worlds! I wish we had these sort of competitions in the UK, very jealous!! Loving the content, you’re just a joy xx

[@sombrego2260]

Yeah I don't think we have that in France either. I haven't exactly checked but I don't know anyone who has even done a puzzle in the last decade in my family and friends so that says a lot. It's kind of a shame because speed puzzling looks surprisingly fun and cool.

[@cecilias_shorts]

I just did a google and there are competitions over there. The next one is at Newmarket CB8 OFT on the 23 June....google British Jigsaw Championship 2024

[@claireknighton4043]

@@cecilias_shorts yes we are heading to that one 🥰 no 500 comps unfortunately, it does seem to be the only one in the uk and just 1000 piece individual, pairs and teams. We are looking forward to it but not quite the same ☺️

[@melco326]

I almost judged the competition last year but was sick and had to cancel. I’m so glad you come out to the Midwest at the coldest time to puzzle with us, Karen!

[@allgirlreview433]

The duck puzzle is gorgeous.

[@mariaj3263]

they're loons. lol Non-Minnesotan here, and when I said duck, I was corrected by my MN sister. lol

[@inplfw]

The bag! Can Can Wonderland brings back a lot of great memories.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

PUZZLE TOURNAMENT? YAY! I live for the drama and the delusion that I work well under pressure if I was there lol

[@kenbrunet6120]

same. I'm like.. first place was 22 minutes?? I could do that!! lol Reality would probably be missing the cutoff times!

[@SAMBLlNK]

These puzzle competition videos are definitely my favorites from you, hope to see more in the future!❤️

[@sombrego2260]

Agreed. It's so sweet to see the passionate puzzlers gathering to compete together.

[@ohrebeca]

My husband and I have been binging your videos the last couple of months thanks to the algorithm 😊 Thank you for bringing fun content on PUZZLES! I’m based out of the Twin Cities and had no idea this puzzle competition existed! I’ll have to check it out next year ✨

[@jmason1770]

I was lucky enough to be able to watch Tammy's live stream of the event. I'm glad that I get to see it from other points of view too! *TWIST*

[@debidehm9129]

I have anxiety and watching your videos calm me! Thank you! I’m a new subscriber and love your videos!

[@joeyotten2091]

I liked the man who was talking…he had a good Midwest accent! Holy smokes! 😂❤

[@emilwandel]

Expert vs Non-Expert competitions are normally solved via an Open Competetition and a Local Competition, in the same group but different placings or in completly different rounds. Chess for example sometimes has a youth placement with in the Open competition and a women placement within the open competition with a few extra prices. Furthermore the entry fee for the Open Competition is often higher as the local competition and has the more intresting prices, but the local competition sometimes get prices from sponsors and local gamestores.

[@boyscoutmatt]

I looked up the weather on the day of the competition. You lucked out. That was actually a fairly warm day for St. Paul (around 30F) considering the average is in the low 20s and the record low is -33F.

[@alliebooo]

omg i have been waiting for this video for ages!! im so happy when you post, i love your videos!!

[@lissawoodall4346]

Karen, you put all this together so well! Thank you, it was so fun to watch.

[@RettetdenUmlaut]

Karen, you have no idea how many puzzles I did since I first found your channel a couple of weeks ago. I'm way too slow, but I'm probably getting there! Thank you for making these videos so exciting.

[@juliakuok]

MORE THAN AN HOUR LONG VIDEO? Has to be my best birthday gift this year

[@xtentasticx]

The side by side team comparison was brilliant. Crazy cause it looked like you were ahead in the beginning getting a ton of small sections together, but they focused on a large section and branched off of that

[@bobair2]

Twist! An enjoyable video to start Sunday off thank you Karen!

[@cloudshad0ws]

Whoever is filming this, and doing all of the coverage did a fantastic job. That plus the editing makes the video seem super professional.

[@amydixon9982]

Well done Karen, you and your teams did excellent. Looking forward to the next one 🧩

[@LaurenandtheCrew]

I really wish they would have turned on the timer when everyone was running to find their puzzling spots, could have been the first competition of the day! 😄

[@KarenPuzzles]

A real puzzle sprint 😂

[@stephanlefebvre4924]

The team finals time lapse was crazy! They were so fast!! 🏁🏁🏁

[@sophiamooers892]

I live in the twin cities area and only heard about this event after it was too late. You did a wonderful job covering it!

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

I'm hosting a tonnnn of competitions in the cities this spring! Maybe you can make it to one :)

[@cecilias_shorts]

I've never been to a puzzle competition because I never heard of them until I found your channel...I was thinking of just going as a spectator to one here in NSW Australia but I just don't have the funds.....I'm nowhere near being a speed puzzle but it's so fun to watch others

[@MyQuiltProjects]

I can feel the excitement and energy pre puzzle. Amazing! And that first puzzle looked hard, a great place to be is 3rd! Nicely done! Congrats for 4th! The puzzle cover vs the actual puzzle created greater difficulty imo.

[@rachedenO]

Some food for thought at the end! These Puzzle Twist images look really fun to put together. Well done Karen and everyone!

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

I am from minnesota originally, though I don't live there right now (..tempted to come back, though!) and I think it's lovely for my little home state to get some highlights!! The twin cities are amazing and I love seeing them get some love

[@awkward567]

I just love seeing this community you've found! Quite a twist from your old DYI content - it just seems like you are thriving and it's so fun!

[@Dude-etiquette]

Awesome seeing a room full of people doing what they love. Thank you for sharing the video

[@melissawingfield8666]

TWIST. That was awesome to watch! Congratulations on finishing all the puzzles! Thank you for making this video; it must have taken you a long time to edit!

[@bellachamblee1586]

I love the dude that said how do I stop it.

[@Zusie]

It does seem like the competition would welcome interest from professionals, but with spots filling up so quickly, there should be a percentage reserved for locals.

[@toomanymarys7355]

.....professionals??????

[@irvinrules]

excelent video! 👌🏽 I liked a lot that you film the other top teams progression and completion, and the timelapse comparisons at the end of each event

[@anjanas]

Very cool and great score again! Be proud, you all did well :) About organising the competitions: this is not really comparable because our NC is not in one day, but still wanted to share: in the Netherlands we have about 15 preliminary rounds and from all those rounds the top 3 goes trough to the finals. This National Championship span over multiple months, ending in the finale with all top 3 teams (1 team == 4 people) making an unpublished puzzle of 1000 pieces. It's a lot more effort but it gives room for experts to get together at the final and for all events to just have a good time. I've seen plenty teams with grandparents, children etc who weren't there to win but just enjoy the event and puzzling together. Love it

[@ChaiLatte13]

I can definitely see what you are saying about people from out of town 'ruining' the local puzzle competitions. I hope that competitions consider that for the future! I know I couldn't compete with you all. twist!

[@larryl43]

for myself, you make a boring (to me )game exciting to watch. THANK YOU

[@ibsulon]

Honestly, as someone who loves to compete, it's amazing that you can join something where you can meet and size yourself up against some of the best in the world! Further, the prizes are not the important part of the event; they are tokens. It could as easily be three more buttons for the top regional finishers for very little money but wonderful bragging rights. And while it might be good to have the top competitors next to each other, there were teams that were able to say they puzzled one or two tables away from some of the most famous puzzlers around! I think the bigger problem is that, as you mentioned at the end, that registration is filling up within a day. There are teams that are being crowded out, more literally, because there isn't a large enough space to hold the competition itself. I think that the biggest argument to hold the invitational and open on separate days is that you could have the top puzzlers as a spectator event on one day, and the open tournament on the other day with many of the top puzzlers able to spend a day meeting fans and other enthusiasts, as well as maintaining friendships.

[@rickvaiBBB]

What a fun video to watch and your take on "pros" at amateur events was so insightful. Either way though, someone is going to come out on top.

[@alexandrabroadbent6207]

Thank you so much for putting so much time and energy into your videos I really love watching you and your friends

[@nakymatonlapsiN]

the puzzles they used for this competition are absolutely gorgeous

[@lennaneilson955]

The twist puzzles look fun. I would like to buy Crazy for Loons, but it is sold out. I live in Minnesota, but I was not aware of this competition. Karen, thanks for making me aware of it.

[@katesmiles4208]

I love your enthusiasm and pure joy over these events 😊

[@bellsnewpy1043]

Neato puzzle key chain :) Whoa, lots of details on rules@@!!!

[@nataliacigasova882]

You are the only youtuber I watch consistently. Every video you upload, I watch it. Right now I have to clean my room, but I'll watch it right after that!!!!!

[@nataliacigasova882]

worth the twist

[@nicoleh5768]

I'm going to miss team Karen and Caron. Can't wait to see what shirts Karen and Tiffany design though

[@JATGPisGOD]

videos like this bring me so much joy

[@neonfarbenrausch]

The video is great and I see all the effort put into it. But what I loved about your coverage of the World's event was how thoroughly you analyzed the different strategies of the puzzlers. I bought many of the puzzles afterwards and tried the various approaches. This is especially interesting in regards to the winning teams and how they succeeded.

[@ConcreteAngelx3]

Andrea Peng and Sarah need to pair up at worlds! They are probably the top 2 puzzlers in the USA

[@SarahDoesPuzzles]

Lauren is actually ranked higher than me in the two big puzzle rankings! She was my pair in this video and will be my pair at worlds as well. But I'd love to puzzle with Andrea P in a competition someday!

[@ConcreteAngelx3]

@@SarahDoesPuzzles oh nice! I’ll have to learn more about Lauren. You’re my favorite, Sarah!

[@UtahGmaw99]

Congrats to you all sugar!

[@songindarkness]

This is fascinating! I’m excited to have a first insight into the world of competitive team puzzling. It’s so tactical! And lovely how all the top competitors know each other and are all friends. It seems like such a friendly atmosphere despite everything! And the side by side time lapse for the first puzzle was so interesting - I would have said you were ahead even 8 or 9 mins in. Then for the second puzzle even 20mins in you might have been neck and neck. So interesting to see how the puzzles come together with different teams, it is competitive but you’re having fun too. ❤

[@somdrum]

I love your recap video! As a Minnesota puzzler, I think it's so exciting that people travel to the St Paul winter carnival competition, especially since we midwesterners typically have to travel to either coast for big competitions or events. I do wish that the winter carnival would add a singles division, or perhaps some kind of open teams option so that those of us who don't know other speed puzzlers could take part. Everyone seems so nice, but from the outside I have to admit that the entire speed puzzling world feels somewhat insular, and like you need to know other puzzlers to participate.