4th Sac Treasure Hunt - How to play and rules

The Sac Treasure Hunt is always looking for new ways to have more winners and add more fun for participants and it's prize sponsors! We have done that with #STH4!

The 4th Sac Treasure Hunt will start Monday, July 19th and end on Saturday the 24th. The STH is a fun and interactive game that is open to everyone over the age of 18; and takes place in the Greater Sacramento area. Simply follow the daily clues on Twitter and or Facebook to figure out where the secret treasure location might be on Saturday morning. First timers playing the STH, be sure to read the special section below to answer some common FAQ's.

Here's how the STH works:

1. First, make sure to sign up for a twitter account (www.twitter.com) if you don't already have one; as all clues will originate from our twitter page. All of our tweets link to our Facebook page as well, so feel free to follow all the action there too.

2. Once signed up for a twitter page, be sure to follow us at www.twitter.com/sactreasurehunt to look for the daily clues that will be given each morning the week of the STH at around 9 AM PST. All STH's will start on a Monday and end on Saturday of the same week.

3. Daily clues and keyword(s) will be given each day, Monday thru Friday, and the last clue will be given on that Saturday at 10 AM as well. Clues could be numbers or letters, questions or answers, general Greater Sacramento trivia or maybe something on another website. You will never have to physically go any where or purchase something to get a clue; simply just follow our the daily tweets!

DAILY RETWEET CONTESTS - Each daily clue will also include a retweet contest as well. So be sure to retweet daily to enter to win some great prizes!

4. Put all the clues together to figure out where the treasure chest will be located after the last clue on Saturday morning. The actual treasure will not be put in place until Saturday, so if you think you figured the location out beforehand, just wait till Saturday to go and find it. Word to the wise, keep it to yourself!

5. You will also need to remember all the daily keywords from each specific day. We suggest writing them down on a piece of paper and bringing that with you when trying to find the secret treasure chest location. You will fill out a sheet upon arriving at the secret location and must have it correctly filled out to continue and receive an opportunity at opening the treasure chest if you are one of the first twelve participants who qualify.

6. The first twelve (12) people who show up at the secret treasure location on Saturday after 10 AM and CORRECTLY fill out the daily keywords sheet, will then choose 1 of 12 keys in order of how they finished the daily keywords sheet. The next 13 people who show up after the first 12 will receive special offers from our prize sponsors (such as coupons and or freebies). So 25 total winners of prizes.

7. Once all 12 keys have been accounted for, each key holder, in order, will then attempt to open the lock of the treasure chest. 4 of the 12 keys will open the lock(new twist here!). When the final 4 keys are known, they will then start over by selecting a key and trying to open the treasure chest again. When the treasure chest is finally opened by one of the key holders, the hunt is officially over at that time. (This part of the STH may be filmed to later publish online so everyone can see the drama of keys not working and others working, plus verify that real people win real prizes!)

8. The treasure chest will contain prizes and items from local businesses in the Greater Sacramento area. Over $5,000 in total prizes will be given away. Be sure to read the Prizes and Sponsors post for all that information.

9. The 2nd thru 12th place participants will receive a Sac Treasure Hunt goodie bag that contains free gifts and prizes as well; so all 12 of the key holders will win something for finding the secret treasure chest location first.

10. As noted previously above, the 13th thru 25th participants who find the secret treasure chest location will receive special coupons and offers from our sponsors...so be one of the first 25 people to receive something special on Saturday!

First Time Players:

While the STH might seem a bit overwhelming, it is really simply and straight forward. Please read previous posts to get a sense of what will be happening during the week of the hunt.

There is something for everyone, you can follow all the clues and try to figure out the secret location or just do the daily retweets to win prizes. There is no sign up necessary, play and follow along as you like. FYI...on average during the past 3 hunts, only a dozen or so people seem to be able to figure out the secret locations, so don't be discouraged if you don't know! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

FOURSQUARE: I highly encourage everyone to follow the Sac Treasure Hunt via Foursquare as the check-ins during the week just might be helpful in figuring out the secret location...or not!

Rules and Conditions:

Must be 18 years and older to participant in the STH. 1st thru 12th place winners must show photo ID and or proof of age to collect prize as well as fill out a simple form with their name, address and twitter account name.

If you are one of the first 12 people to receive a key, you will be asked to put your cell phone or any other electronic device you have on you in a provided "safe basket" close by; as we don't want people to be tempted to call, email or text their family or friends about the secret location of the treasure chest(fair play for all!).

If you decline or refuse to put your item in the "safe basket" you will be disqualified and your spot will be given to the next person waiting, no exceptions. Once the winners are established and the hunt is over you can retrieve your item.

We have the right to remove you from your position in the STH at any time if we feel you are helping others in any way; such as giving them the keywords or telling others the location of the secret treasure.

By actively participating in the STH you are agreeing to the above rules and conditions. Rules may be changed or added without notification if unforeseen issues surface later.

Play fair and have FUN....just figure out the secret location of the treasure chest!

Best of luck to all and find the Pirate in you!

STH Team