• Participants are advised to be present at least 15 minutes before the start of the competition. Participants must be seated at their table no later than 5 minutes in advance.
• Only participants, judges and members of the organization are allowed to enter the competition area.
• A participant may only participate once per category.
• The aisles must remain clear, personal belongings may be placed only under the table.
• It is not allowed to disturb others during the competition by singing or humming, for example.
• Outside help is not allowed.
• The end time may only be noted by a judge.
• Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at the location.
• Only Dutch participants are eligible for the main prizes. Pairs and teams with participants of different nationalities are considered international.

Allowed are:

• Headphones, as long as they do not disturb other participants.
• Puzzle box supports (the so-called puzzle box holders or puzzle box stands).
• Sorting trays, as long as they do not extend beyond the table. It is recommended not to use sorting sheets larger than A3 size.
• Cameras or other recording equipment, as long as they (or their attachment) do not extend more than 10 cm beyond the edge of the table.

Not allowed are:

• Additional light sources.
• Printed or digital examples of the puzzle (unless they are already present in the puzzle box).
• Risers or other objects to change the height of the table.

• The competition tables are 80 cm by 120 cm. Solo participants, pairs and teams have an entire table available to them.
• The puzzle may not be touched before the start of the competition.
• The plastic inner bag and puzzle box may not be placed in the aisles but must be placed under the table.
• Participants close to finishing are advised to raise their hand if there is no jury member nearby to register the finishing time. 
• The winner is the participant (or duo or team) who first puts all the pieces of the puzzle together.
• When a participant is finished, they are asked to leave the competition area so that the other participants are not disturbed.
• If a participant does not complete the puzzle within the set time, the remaining pieces are counted by a jury member. In this case, 3 or more pieces assembled are counted as puzzled. The participant is asked to make groups of 10 separate pieces in advance.
• If no one finishes the puzzle within the set time, the participant (or duo or team) who has put the most pieces assembled wins.

• If the stickers of a puzzle have not been cut, the participant must notify a jury member. The jury member will cut or remove them and note the new starting time.
• Pieces that are lying on the ground will not be picked up by a jury member. The jury member can place a coloured note underneath them to make them more visible.
• If a participant is missing 1 or more pieces, they will receive a 10-second penalty per piece. The penalty will start as soon as the last available piece is placed. During this penalty it is allowed to look for the piece(s). The penalty will be dropped, if the participant finds and places all the missing pieces within the penalty. In this case the placement of the last (missing) piece will be the final time. If the missing pieces are not found, the final time consists of the end time plus the penalty.
• If multiple pieces are missing (next to each other), it is up to the head judge to decide whether this is a manufacturing defect and whether a penalty time will be applied.
• If 10 or more pieces are missing and there is no manufacturing defect, the puzzle is considered unfinished.
• If a participant experiences a major disadvantage due to a manufacturing defect, the head judge may rectify this damage without violating the rights of other participants.

• All decisions made by members of the organization and/or jury members are final.
• If a participant has not arrived 5 minutes before the start of the competition, members of the organization may give this participant’s table to a person on the waiting list. In this case, the participant is not entitled to compensation.
• By participating in this competition, the participant gives permission to appear recognizably in visual material. This material is for example for use on the organization’s social media or other publications about the competition and/or the organization. The material remains the property of the organization. 
• The organization reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, the set-up and/or the location.
• The organization reserves the right to exclude participants if they (intend to) disrupt the competition or display behaviour that is not in accordance with the spirit of this competition.
• In the event of cancellation or postponement of the competition due to circumstances, the organization is not responsible for the indirect expenses of the participant, but only for the registration fee.
• If a participant is disabled, members of the organization may adjust the rules for this participant by, for example, changing the table height or handing the participant pieces from the ground.

Solo competition

• There are 2 preliminary rounds with 100 participants.
• The best 50 participants per preliminary round will go through to the final.
• The organization reserves the right to award 5 extra tables to its own invitees.
• The organization reserves the right to change the number of preliminary rounds and/or the number of participants that will go through to the final up to 2 weeks before the start of the competition.

Pairs competition

• There is 1 round with 100 pairs.
• The organization reserves the right to award 5 extra tables to its own invitees.
• The organization reserves the right to change the number of preliminary rounds and/or the number of pairs that will go through to the final up to 2 weeks before the start of the competition.

Team competition

• There is 1 round with 100 teams, consisting of 3 or 4 participants.
• Teams choose which puzzle they will start with. Teams may only start the second puzzle when the time of the first puzzle has been recorded by a jury member and the first puzzle has been put away in the box. If a team decides to stop with a puzzle before it is finished, then the must be disassembled and put into the box before the team can start the second puzzle. This must also be recorded by a jury member.
• The organization reserves the right to award 5 extra tables to its own invitees.
• The organization reserves the right to change the number of preliminary rounds and/or the number of teams who will advance to the finals up to 2 weeks before the start of the competition.