Frequently asked questions

No. There is no entry fee, no deposit, no subscription and nothing to buy. The prize pool is funded by us and the site is supported by advertising.

It has no fixed value, and we will never quote one. Points buy a share of the prize pool: your points divided by all eligible points, times the pool. That share moves as other people score, which is why every figure we show before settlement is labelled an estimate.

One every 60 minutes, counted from the moment it is assigned to you. Solving it in five minutes does not get you the next one any sooner.

The puzzle goes back into the pool for someone else, and your cooldown carries on running from when you took it. It is not reset or shortened.

No. A season puzzle is reserved to one player at a time, globally, for an hour. Nobody else can open or even see it while you hold it.

If you have not solved it, the reservation expires and the puzzle returns to the pool. If you have, it is claimed permanently and can never be solved again.

A new round opens every 3 hours with three puzzles — Easy, Medium and Hard, worth 1, 2 and 3 points. Each is scored on its own; solve as many or as few as you like. One attempt at each per round. Maximum 6 points a round.

No. There is no completion bonus and no requirement to finish them in order. Failing one does not block the others.

2 free hints and 3 mistakes on every competitive puzzle. The third mistake ends it with no points. Neither can be bought, earned, extended or refilled — including by watching an advertisement.

No. Nothing you can watch, buy or do affects a competitive outcome. Advertisements appear after a result is already final, on the way back to the lobby.

No — unlimited puzzles, unlimited mistakes, unlimited hints, and no cooldown. It also awards no points and has no effect on the prize pool.

Up to 10 players compete as one. Points are pooled, the team takes one place on the leaderboard, and its prize share is split equally between locked members regardless of who contributed what. The choice is fixed for the season once you start scoring.

No. Once you have started scoring your competitive identity is locked for that season. You can choose again next season.

After the season settles and the fair-play review queue is cleared — usually a few days. You need a confirmed email address, a saved payout destination, and a balance of at least $5.00.

No. There is no stake, no deposit, no wager, and no element of chance in the outcome. It is a free-to-enter skill contest.

Anyone 18 or over, except where prize contests are restricted by local law. See the contest rules.