Applications for Genius Northwest: POWER HOURSE are now CLOSED!

POWER HOUSE is an exclusive three-day gaming competition that will take place in Poulsbo, Washington over Indigenous People’s Day weekend, October 11-13, 2025.

Genius Northwest events are intense, weekend-long gaming competitions that combine the best elements of tabletop gaming and reality television to create a dramatic and engrossing experience unlike any other. Each competition is a mixture of large format main matches and tense, one-on-one deathmatch rounds that will test the contestants’ instinct, cunning, and their ability to form – or undermine – strong alliances.

In POWER HOUSE, ten players will descend upon an isolated mansion to compete in three full days of custom games created specially by our team for this event. Whether you’re a fan of board and card games or the politics and drama of reality competition shows like Survivor or Devil’s Plan, you’ll find that Genius Northwest has something to offer you.

While the competitive tournament is the focus of our events, we want to make sure that all of our contestants have a great time, regardless of if they’re eliminated on the first round or go all the way to the finale. To that end, our events are also filled with bonus games and other activities to entertain players who are eliminated from the competition early.

Although applications for POWER HOUSE have now closed, you can sign up for our mailing list to be notified when applications open for our next event.

Applications are closed

Applications for Genius Northwest: POWER HOUSE have closed. Please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when applications open for our next event.



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“A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a nesting doll of games. Intense, thrilling, and exhausting, it’s an unparalleled strategic and social experience.”

Matthew Moore, Game Designer


“All the fun of being on reality TV without (most of) the psychic damage. You will surprise yourself and be surprised!”

Lily Dodge, Author


“Puzzles and mystery, competition and betrayal. If you want to live in a reality show for a weekend, this is the one.”

Alexis Rice, ORG (Online Reality Game) Champion


“If you are looking to test the limits of your intelligence and social skills, all while having a lovely weekend in a beautiful manor, you need to be at Genius Northwest.”

Naomi Calhoun, Pop Culture Jeopardy! Contestant


“I have never had so much fun meeting a new group of people and then immediately betraying them.”

Aaron Cooper, Programmer

FAQ

When is the deadline to apply for POWER HOUSE?

Applications for POWER HOUSE closed on May 18, 2025.

When will the next Genius Northwest event be?

The next Genius Northwest event is planned for Indigenous People’s Day weekend, October 11-13 2025.

Do you film Genius Northwest events?

While we do record certain elements of our events for promotion and use within that event, we do not broadcast our events or otherwise make them available for public viewing.

When we say our events are inspired by reality television, we mean that they are structured similarly to a season of reality television, with all of the accompanying stakes, politics, and big reveals. We want our players to feel like they’re in a reality show, but without having to actually be on TV!

Does it cost money to apply to Genius Northwest events?

Applying for Genius Northwest events is free. However, we do ask that all accepted players pay a fee to help cover the costs of running each event. This fee helps us pay for the event venue and provide the players and dealers with food throughout the weekend.

We are happy to offer discounted admission for players for whom this fee would otherwise prevent them from attending.

For POWER HOUSE, this admission fee is $700.

What is included as part of a Genius Northwest event?

In addition to three days of games and other competition activities, players will receive lodging, food, and drink for all three days of the tournament.

How late do competition activities run each day?

Tournament activities generally start around 10 AM and last until 9 PM each evening. We try to end early on the last day to give players time to travel home that night.

Players often stay up to socialize and relax after official activities conclude each evening. Players are permitted to stay at the venue the nights before and after the tournament to aid with travel.

Further details regarding timing will be shared with accepted players closer to the event.

If I apply for an event, am I guaranteed to be able to participate?

While we would love to offer a spot to every player who applies, Genius Northwest events are intimate by design and can support a very limited number of participants. In order to give as many players as possible a chance to experience one of our events, we keep applications open for a limited time, and then select the final participants from the players who have applied for the event.

We will notify selected applicants that there is a spot available for them as soon as possible after applications close. Applicants who are not initially selected will be placed on a waitlist and may be offered a spot if one of the selected players declines to participate.

If you are not selected for one Genius Northwest event, we highly encourage you to sign up for the next one!

Can I share Genius Northwest with a friend?

Please do! We are always working to expand our player base. Please note that because we have limited slots available in each event, we cannot guarantee that both you and your friend will be selected for the same event.

Do you require participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Yes, we require that all players and hosts be vaccinated against COVID-19 for all of our events.

Additionally, we are currently requiring all players and hosts submit proof of a negative COVID test taken prior to arrival at the event venue.