Question 1

How do virtual competitions work?

Accepted Answer

You register for a virtual competition(s) on our website on the registration date.  Set an alarm as we well out really fast.
Our team has a shipping weekend where we prepare all the competiiton puzzles and ship them out to registered participants.  Please follow your tracking number and notify us ASAP if there are any issues with receiving your parcel.
 If you order one competition, it will come wrapped in a mailer bag with a label with instructions.  If you order multiple puzzles, they will come in a box which you can open.
On competition day, prepare your puzzling space and set up a camera that views your puzzling area.  You need to have a digital timer ready.
Join the Zoom call with the meeting ID and passcode on your puzzle label.
The host will review the instructions.
Please stay on mute while puzzling.
Have a timer ready to start.
When you have finished your puzzle, unmute yourself to announce you are done and your finishing time.  Hold your timer up to the camera.  
Type your name and finishing time in the chat.
Please turn off your camera.  At this time you may stay in the call or leave.
The results will be posted to our website.

Question 2

Pricing

Accepted Answer

Each event is $48 +HST/GST.

Bundling 3 or more events allows for the use of a coupon code.  
Find the coupon code information in the FAQ's

This covers the following costs:payment processing feesJotform / Zoom accountsadministrative overheadcost of the puzzlecost of shippingcost of packing materialslunch and puzzle gift for our shipping volunteerscost of event prizescost of puzzle gift for event hostsShould a special event have a different price, it will be advertised directly on the registration page.

Question 3

Competition Overview

Accepted Answer

To register for a virtual event, visit our website.  Check back regularly to see when our next registration will open and set an alert as our events sell out quickly.

Individual Division Competitions
Contest length/Durée du concours: 2h
Puzzle Size/Nombre de pièces: 500
Number of Participants/Nombre de participants: Up to 85

Pairs Virtual Competitions
Contest length/Durée du concours: 1.5h
Puzzle Size/Nombre de pièces: 500
Number of Participants/Nombre de participants: Up to 85

Family & Friends Events
Event length/Durée du l'événement: 1.5h
Puzzle Size/Nombre de pièces: 500
The puzzle image will be selected with “Family-Friendly” in mind.
Number of Participants/Nombre de participants: Up to 50

Question 4

Coupon Codes

Accepted Answer

CJPA3+ for 10% off when registering for at least 3 events.

CJPA6+ for 15% off when registering for at least 6 events.

CJPA9+ for 20% off when registering for at least 9 events.

Coupon codes must be used at the time of purchase.  Adjustments can not be made after.  Please note that discounts are calculated on the subtotal and deducted from the total price including tax.

PICKUP for 10% off for local pickup at Puzzles Canada

PICKUP3+ for 15% off for local pickup at Puzzles Canada if ordering 3 or more competition puzzles.

Question 5

Shipping

Accepted Answer

Once you have ordered your puzzles, we will be organizing all the orders and preparing to ship your puzzle.  You can expect to receive a tracking number via email.  This will typically come from UPS or Canada Post.  If you have any issues with receiving your shipment as indicated on your tracking email, please email us as soon as possible so we can look into and resolve the issue. canadianjpa.virtual@gmail.com

Please note:
Once the competition puzzle has shipped, the registrant is responsible for following the tracking of their package.  Any costs associated with a package being returned due to a failure to pickup at an access point or an error in the shipping address including the absence of a unit number will be billed to the registrant.  If a tracking number has indicated a parcel has been delivered but it has not been received by the registrant, the registrant must notify the CJPA in writing at canadianjpa.virtual@gmail.com within 24 hours, otherwise we may not be able to offer a remedy or a refund of the competition puzzle.

Question 6

Parcel Arrival

Accepted Answer

When you receive your package:
If you ordered one competition, you should not open the package
If you ordered multiple competitions, you can open the box.  Each puzzle will be wrapped inside.

Each puzzle will have a label on the front including the following information:
Competition Date and Time
Meeting ID & Passcode to enter the Zoom call

Verify your parcel:
Please verify that your parcel includes the correct puzzles from your order.  While we work hard to complete all orders accurately, we are human and errors may happen.
If there are any issues, please contact us ASAP so that we can make every effort to correct the error quickly.

Question 7

Competition Day: Getting Ready

Accepted Answer

Participants must be able to join the virtual competition via Zoom on a personal device.  
You will need to set up your computer or phone so that we are able to view you and your puzzling space. 
You will need a timer.
Participants may use sorting trays and/or box top holders.
You can not use any electronic device to aid you in completing the puzzle.

Question 8

Competition Day: During the Event

Accepted Answer

When you join the zoom call, double check that your mic is muted.  
Please check that your name on the Zoom screen matches the name that you registered with for the competition.
Before beginning, everyone will need to show their unopened package.  An open package will result in disqualification from officially participating. 
We will open the package together, including the cellophane or removing stickers but not the puzzle box.
The hosts will review a brief set of rules.  Once the rules have been reviewed, you may want to reduce the volume on your device as when puzzlers begin to finish, a high volume may startle you.
 When we say go, you will start your timer and begin to puzzle.
 When you have completed your puzzle:
pause your timer, 
unmute your mic, 
announce you are done, your name and your finishing time
hold your timer up to your screen.
Then, in the chat, type your name (if not correct in your Zoom profile) and your finishing time.
You may then turn off your camera and either stay in the Zoom call or leave.

Question 9

Finishing Beyond the Competition Time

Accepted Answer

If you did not complete the puzzle in the allocated time, continue puzzling once the Zoom call is closed.  Stop your timer when you are done.  Email: canadianjpa.virtual@gmail.com within 24 hours with your finishing time for us to record your result.

Question 10

Offline Participation / Unofficial Results

Accepted Answer

If you are unable to attend the Zoom call, you may complete your puzzle after the date on the package.
You may submit your time up to one week after the competition date to have your time included on our results page.  You will be listed as an unofficial participant.
Unofficial participant times are not included in CJPA rankings.
All registered participants are included in the Random Draw prizes, whether present or not.

Question 11

Prizes

Accepted Answer

Prizes: All registered participant are eligible for prizes.  Only one prize may be awarded per person/pair per event.  Should a participant place and win a random draw, the random draw will be reallocated.

Effective Summer & Fall 2026 [June - November]
See changes below effective Winter 2026 [December - ...]

Individual Division:
	1st place: A $80 Puzzles Canada giftcard	2nd place: A $60 Puzzles Canada giftcard
	1st place Newbie**: A free virtual competition entry* and a $25 gift card to Puzzles Canada. 	5 random draws: One free virtual competition entry* or a $25 gift card to Puzzles Canada
	      There is one random draw prize for every 15 registered participants.Pairs Division:  
All pair prizes are distributed to the participant who registered the pair .	1st place: A $80 Puzzles Canada giftcard 	2nd place: A $60 Puzzles Canada giftcard 
	1st place Newbie**: A free virtual competition entry* and a $25 gift card to Puzzles Canada. 	5 random draws: One free virtual competition entry* or a $25 gift card to Puzzles Canada.  
	     There is one random draw prize for every 15 registered participants.Friend & Family EventThere will be 1 random draw for every 10 registered participants for:	 a $50 Puzzles Canada Gift Card or a free virtual competition entry*.

*Note: Free Entries must be redeemed within 12 months.  Winners will be notified by email in advance of future registrations opening about redeeming their free entry.** A newbie is a participant who is competing for the first time in a CJPA virtual event in their division.   This must be indicated at the time of registration for the participant to be eligible.  For the pair division,  both participants must be competing in the division for the first time.
Should a newbie participant place 1st or 2nd overall, they win the podium prize and the newbie prize will be awarded to the second place newbie finisher.

________________________________________________________________________
Effective December 2026

Individual & Pair Divisions1st place: A $80 Puzzles Canada giftcard2nd place: A $60 Puzzles Canada giftcardRandom draws*: One free virtual competition entry** or a $25 gift card to Puzzles Canada. 
*There is one random draw prize for every 15 registered participants.  Friend & Family EventThere will be 1 random draw for every 10 registered participants for:	 a $50 Puzzles Canada Gift Card or a free virtual competition entry**.**Note: Free Entries must be redeemed within 12 months.  Winners will be notified by email in advance of future registrations opening about redeeming their free entry.

Question 12

How do I claim a free entry prize?

Accepted Answer

The CJPA will contact you via email at least one week before the next season of virtual competition registration opens with instructions on how to redeem your free entry.  It will include a link to the registration form and a coupon code which will zero out the cost.  You should NOT have to input any payment information.

If you would like to register for ADDITIONAL competitions, you will have to wait until registration is publicly released on the website on the registration date.

If you would like to save your free entry you can just reply to the email to let us know that you would like to hold to the next season.  All free entries must be redeemed within one year of the date that you received the prize.

If you do not receive an email at least one week in advance, please email us at canadianjpa@gmail.com to inquire.

Question 13

Missing Pieces

Accepted Answer

Should your puzzle have a missing piece, please email us at canadianjpa.virtual@gmail.com with a photo of your puzzle and a close up of the area with the missing piece within one week of the competition date.

We will make every effort to mail out the missing piece to you with a future shipment.

Question 14

Eligibility to Participate

Accepted Answer

These competitions are open to Canadian citizens or residents.  
We are only able to ship to Canadian addresses.

While we welcome participants of all ages into the puzzling world, we recommend:
Individual participants are at least 13+ years old.  A younger person requires parent supervision during the entire event.
Pairs have at least one participant who is 13+ years old.
Family & Friends Events are non-competition and we welcome all ages and encourage puzzlers to bring young children to participate.

We have puzzlers of all experience levels join our competitions.

There is no speed requirement - the only requirement is to come and have fun!

Question 15

Something has come up and I can no longer participate?  What are my options?

Accepted Answer

Option 1: Complete your puzzle within 7 days of the competition date and time.  Email us your finishing time at canadianjpa.virtual@gmail.com.  We will record your time on the results page as unofficial.  Unofficial times do not count towards a CJPA Ranking.

Option 2: Post in a local puzzle group or on the CJPA Community Hub Facebook page to see if you can find someone local who would like to take your registration for the event and arrange to get them the puzzle.  You can notify the CJPA at canadianjpa.virtual@gmail.com.  Please provide us with their name and email address and copy them on the email.  If they are a first time CJPA Virtual participant, it is helpful to note this as they would be eligible for the "newbie" prize.

Question 16

Do virtual events count towards a CJPA ranking?

Accepted Answer

CJPA participants who have competed in at least 5 individual division competitions in the past 24-months are eligible for a ranking.  Virtual competitions are included in your CJPA Ranking for official participants.  Unofficial participants will not have their competition qualify towards a ranking.

Official participants: Compete in the Zoom call and have a sealed puzzle package at the start of the competition.  This includes those who do not finish in the allotted time and submit their final time within 24 hours.
Unofficial participants: An unofficial note could happen for a variety of reasons, including, absence from the Zoom call and competing offline, an unsealed competition puzzle, a special guest who is not a Canadian citizen or resident.

26-27 Virtual Competition Rules