IMPORTANT: You must lose the game of senet in order to get all secrets. Winning the game opens up a different path to the end of the level, bypassing secrets 3 through 7. I recommend that you save the game before trying any shortcuts in case they don't work and you need to go back and play through the "normal" way.

• Shortcut to Game Spinner
• Shortcut to Secret #2
• Shortcut to Rules of Senet
• Corner Bug Shortcut to Winners' Path

SHORTCUT TO GAME SPINNER

Regardless of whether you want to win or lose the senet game, you can take advantage of a small shortcut here. Instead of going into the side area to collect the RULES OF SENET, drop down onto the game board and move to the spot marked with the X in the screenshot above.

Take a running jump to grab the edge of the balcony.

Then pull up through the railing. You can now begin the game.

NOTE: This shortcut may cause problems in the PS1 version. Attempting to play senet without first getting the rules can result in the opponent's pieces not being able to move at all, in which case there's no way to lose, so you'll miss the remaining secrets. Thanks to Luis, who reported this issue after attempting the shortcut using the PS1 download on PSP.

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SHORTCUT TO SECRET #2

This shortcut can be used whether you win, lose, or skip the game of senet.

If you use the shortcut above but still want to get the second secret, you can still do so without using the flame niches. Go through the doorway under the golden face and climb the ladder directly ahead.

Follow the passageway to the ROOM WITH POOLS AND FLAME NICHES and kill the 2 jackals, as described in the main walkthrough.

Then climb onto the pink marble block to the right of the flame niches. In case you haven't played through in the usual way, the secret is hidden in the alcove above on the left. That's where you're headed.

To get there, position Lara near the corner and hop back into the position shown above.

Now take a running jump, with a slight curve to the right (i.e., press Right in mid-air and Lara will defy physics like a boss!).

Grab the climbable wall.

Then climb up to SECRET #2.

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SHORTCUT TO RULES OF SENET

If you want to obtain the RULES OF SENET but don't want to bother with all of the flame niches, follow the steps shown in the shortcut to secret #2 above.

Then, after obtaining the secret, drop and hang from the opening and start climbing to the left. (Of course you could just jump to grab the climbable wall and immediately climb to the left, skipping the secret entirely.)

Climb around the central structure.

When you reach the short climbable section below the slope, climb down, then left, then pull up onto the ledge.

Follow the ledge forward to the alcove with the flame niche.

Wait for the flame to abate and use the mechanism inside...

...to turn off the flames in the room below.

To avoid fall damage, safety drop to the floor on the left or right side of the ledge, rather than in the middle.

Head down the ramp and retrieve the RULES OF SENET from the pedestal. Then follow the main walkthrough from here to play A GAME OF SENET.

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CORNER BUG SHORTCUT TO WINNER'S PATH

If you want to skip the game of senet completely and just proceed to the end of the level, missing the rest of the secrets, here's an easy way using the crawling corner bug. This technique is demonstrated step by step, with a short video, in my section on Useful Bugs.

In the SENET GAME room instead of obtaining the rules, playing the game, and winning, just run to the end of the game board.

Hop down to the floor and position Lara on the left side of the carved column below the exit.

Stand facing the column with Lara's chest against it and her left foot almost at the outer corner.

Pivot about 45 degrees to the left so Lara is facing the corner.

Now press and hold Duck/Crouch. If Lara is positioned correctly, her right shoulder and knee will creep into the corner a little.

While still holding Duck/Crouch, press Forward once so Lara goes onto her hands and knees. Now Lara's upper body should disappear into the corner texture.

Release Duck/Crouch and she should spring up through the column to land on the ledge above.

The exit is just behind you. Pick up the main walkthrough with the section ALTERNATE PATH - WINNING THE GAME OF SENET, except you don't need to jump over to the exit since you're already there.

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[Tomb of Semerkhet Walkthrough]