A Step-by-Step Guide to Winning the Rope Ladder Carnival Game

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Plus, learn tips that will help you ascend to victory
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Carnival games are fun, but do you ever feel like they're rigged against you? In almost all cases, you'd be right! For example, not many people can beat the rope ladder climb game because the carnival tightens it too much or holds it down to prevent people from winning. But the good news is that if you use the right climbing technique, you can greatly increase your chances of victory! Come with us to learn how to win the rope ladder climb almost every time, plus familiarize yourself with the basic rules of the game . We'll also share bonus climbing tips that may help you outsmart the carnival and surprise the attendants with your skill.

How to Beat the Carnival Rope Ladder

Climb the ladder using opposing limbs. For example, reach for the next rung up with your right hand and simultaneously climb with your left foot. Repeat this movement with your left hand and right foot. Keep alternating until you reach the top. To win, put both feet on the red rung and ring the bell or the buzzer.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Win the Rope Ladder Climb

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  1. 1
    Place your feet on the first rung and your hands on the third rung. At the same time, bend your torso at the waist and raise your bottom in the air. [1] Your center of mass, which is the central point around which your entire body balances itself, is usually somewhere around your hips. [2] Raising this area as much as possible will help you keep your balance (the same way you stay on your feet when you bend over to pick something up).
    • If it helps (and if it's not against your carnival's rules), put your heels on the rung and the rest of your feet (the soles and toes) on the side ropes. For some people, this technique helps them distribute their weight better and stay balanced.
    • If you're not very tall, you may feel more comfortable grabbing the second rung instead of the third.
    • If the rules at your carnival allow it, you can also grasp the ropes instead of the rungs. Grip whichever feels the most natural and stable.
  2. 2
    Raise your right hand and grab the fourth rung on the right end. At this point, both feet should still be planted firmly on the first rung. Your left hand should still be gripping the third rung. [3]
    • If you're left-handed, it's okay to grab the fourth rung with your left hand. Just make sure to swap every other step in this tutorial with the opposite hand or foot.
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  3. 3
    Raise your left foot and climb onto the second rung. Don't put your right foot down yet. Keep it poised in midair for the next phase of the climb. [4]
  4. 4
    Raise your left hand and grab the fifth rung. Move your left hand from the third to the fifth rung. Avoid grabbing the fourth rung, as this move could disturb your balance.
  5. 5
    Raise your right foot and climb onto the third rung. Repeat the same move you made with your left foot, but with your right. This time, leave your left foot poised in midair, so you have time to position your right hand on the next rung up.
  6. 6
    Repeat the left-right pattern until you reach the top. This alternating crawl helps you maintain your balance and prevent the ladder from flipping you over. The key is to always ascend the next rung with your left hand and right foot, or your right hand and left foot. [5]
  7. 7
    Win by putting both feet on the red rung and ringing the bell. Near the top of the ladder at most carnival rope ladder games is a solid red rung. On the wall above it is a bell or a button with a buzzer. If you climb up high enough to put both feet on the red rung and ring the bell (or press the buzzer) without breaking any of the game rules , you win! [6]
    • Some carnivals use a button with a buzzer instead of a bell, so be prepared!
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Section 2 of 4:

Rope Ladder Climb Rules

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  1. 1
    Check if you can grip the outside of the ropes at your carnival. According to some sources on the internet, certain carnivals instruct that you must grip the rungs or the insides of the ropes only. You're not allowed to grasp the ropes from the outside, even if that gives you a better hold. Not every carnival has this rule, though, so listen to the carnival attendant carefully as they explain what you should and shouldn't do.
  2. 2
    Avoid lying down or resting your elbows or knees on the ladder. You can't rest your body on the ladder. If you do, you'll lose, even if you don't flip over.
  3. 3
    Avoid flipping the ladder over or falling off. The goal is to stay upright on top of the ladder. That means if you fall off, you lose, and if you cause the ladder to flip around, you lose, too (even if you maintain part or all of your grip).
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Section 3 of 4:

Bonus Carnival Rope Ladder Climbing Tips

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  1. 1
    Ensure the carnival attendant isn't holding the ladder. Per the internet, some carnivals have attendants hold the rope down while you're starting to climb. Then, before you have a chance to reach the red rung, they slowly let go, throwing off your balance and causing you to fall off. This strategy ensures you lose every time. So, if you see an attendant doing this to any of the other people who climb before you, you may want to skip the game entirely.
  2. 2
    Test the ladder's tautness before climbing. Some carnivals pull their ladders so tight that they're almost impossible to climb, even if you're using an alternating climbing pattern. Test your ladder before climbing it by gripping the bottom rung and pressing your full weight down on it. If you can press it down far enough that your knuckles touch the soft mat underneath, that's a good one to climb! If not, test some of the others before committing. [7]
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Section 4 of 4:

Other Carnival Games & How to Beat Them

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  1. Win prizes, wow your friends, and savor your victory at the carnival. Tired of losing all the games at the carnival and not getting your prize? You're not the only one! You also shouldn't feel bad because every carnival game is rigged so that more people will lose than win. But that doesn't mean you can't ever be a winner! Check out the handy guides below for instructions on playing (and beating) carnival and other outdoor games.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/PcK8kqG_LX0?si=XhIx7fWks9QNyBvZ&t=41
      2. ↑ https://biomechanist.net/center-of-mass
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/FtvT5Eq0gsU?si=JO4u-VzkOgZIfgWT&t=42
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/FtvT5Eq0gsU?si=yUBcXN_2uDvAK54w&t=47
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/y_A9VRtfzPI?si=j294wk7CXM8WPwmG&t=59
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/PcK8kqG_LX0?si=eqTKefyMUoihRIHa&t=112
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/PcK8kqG_LX0?si=Gco74cxzDtnjFLht&t=30

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