The Caption Contest kicks off 2-3 times a week, with winners announced alongside the new contests. Captions must be approved before they are visible on the site. While there’s no guaranteed way to win, originality and humor are key to getting noticed. Remember, you need votes from other players to secure a win after your caption is approved.

Contests typically start every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

How to Get In: The Guide!

While there’s no major secret, getting a caption approved in English can be tough. To boost your chances, consider using a translator and submitting captions in multiple languages. Not many players participate in other languages, so your caption may get accepted without stringent checks.

I recommend using Google Translate, which you can find here: http://translate.google.com.ar/

Other Tips:

Now that you know the trick, it’s time to write! I usually jot down around 10-20 captions and translate them all. You can often create multiple captions by tweaking a single idea. It’s effective! I’ve had amusing captions accepted alongside mediocre ones in the same contest.

Avoid overused jokes and strive for originality. Check out past captions for inspiration, but be sure to create your own ideas to avoid any plagiarism issues.

Keep a record of every caption you submit using a tool like Notepad or Office. Don’t forget to submit your entries regularly—at least once a day.

For English contests, good grammar matters, but it’s less critical for captions in other languages.

Good / Bad Captions

Bad Examples (According to TNT):

• Insults, profanity, or anything boring.
• Overused jokes (e.g., “Where’s the cream filling?” or “Houston, we have a problem.”)
• References to the game Marco Polo.
• Anything involving “Waaaaaaazzzzzzzuuuuuuppppp!!!!”

Good Examples (Based on Observations):

• Make inanimate objects talk.
• Use short captions—include only one or two characters.
• Employ irony and creativity.
• Take a second look at every caption image; avoid stating the obvious.
• Submit at least 10 different captions, even if they’re not great.
• For more ideas, check the past winners: http://www.neopets.com/games/caption/caption_archive.phtml

Gaining Votes

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, it likely means your caption is gaining traction. Now comes the challenging part: get the word out to friends and remind them to vote every four hours. You can vote for your own caption as well.

Try using the Neoboards to promote your caption, but avoid spamming. Engage with others by lending items or starting discussions about art contests. Many players will reciprocate votes, but remember: do not buy or sell votes, as that could lead to penalties.

Possible Prizes:

The Trophies!

Big prizes include rare petpets, paint brushes, codestones, and sometimes exclusive items or, if you’re unlucky, random junk. You also earn 10k or 5k depending on your contest position.

I’ve won numerous times using these strategies. Many players you see with multiple Caption Contest wins employ similar tactics. Good luck!