Squid Game: The Challenge cast - Meet the contestants in the competition series

The game might have kicked off with hundreds of contestants, many of whom have already been eliminated, but several players have certainly managed to stand out from the crowd - whether it be because of their dramatic behaviour, sneaky tactics or comedic value, and now there are just three contestants left.

Want to know a little bit more about the contestants? Read on for all you need to know about the key players in Squid Game: The Challenge.

Squid Game: The Challenge cast

Player 287 - Mai

Age: 55

From: Virginia

Job: Immigration adjudicator

During her time on Squid Game: The Challenge, Mai has made friends and a few rivals as well. During the Dorm Test of allegiance, Mai "breaks the chain" agreed on by other women players by choosing to save her friend Chad (Player 286).

"This game is all about self-preservation," Mai said in episode 9. "I have to do what I have to do to survive."

If she wins the life-changing $4.56 million, Mai has dreams of purchasing a home to spend her retirement in and donating to causes she cares about.

Player 451 - Phill

Age: 27

Instagram: @avatarphill

From: Hawaii

Job: Scuba instructor

"I basically have no strategy going into this," Phill told Netflix ahead of his appearance on the show. "I'm kind of going in blind. I really just have no idea how this is going to go."

Phill managed to outsmart his fellow players during the challenges, including besting Bradford (Player 337) during the Marbles game and guessing who put the gift box on this table during Circle of Trust.

If Phill wins Squid Game: The Challenge, plans on giving away a large chunk of his prize money to ocean conservation.

He said: "If I suddenly become a millionaire, I wouldn't keep most of the money. I've personally been helped a lot of throughout my entire life by family and friends and I've never really been able to reciprocate."

Player 016 - Sam

Age: 37

Instagram: @unclestudio

From: Florida

Job: Artist

Sam has kept a low profile throughout the show in order to make it to the end of the competition and it seems to have paid off!

"I'm pretty confident in my ability to hold my cards close to my chest," he told Netflix.

During his time on the show, Sam managed to form alliances, including with Ashley (Player 278), who saves him from elimination during the Dorm Test of allegiance.

"I've been trying to play this game in a way that I'd be proud and [also in line with] how I'd act in the outside world," he told Mai (Player 287) in Episode 9.

If Sam wins, he plans of getting a large art studio for his work, helping his husband with his film projects, helping rescue and protect animals and investing wisely.

Player 278 - Ashley

Age: 30

Instagram: @a_tolb

From: Georgia

Job: Civil rights investigator

Ashley is a legal investigator who loves puzzles, but has been causing a stir amongst viewers on Squid Game: The Challenge.

During the glass bridge challenge, after a player ahead of Ashley chose the wrong path, she called her "stupid as hell" and refused to move.

"I turn around and I see 278 and she's not moving at all," Trey said in a voice over after he takes his first jump. "I've taken my 50/50 chance. It's time for 278 to step up and take hers."

After receiving criticism from fans of the show, Ashley responded on Instagram (via Esquire) and wrote: "'But you agreed to blah blah Team blah blah overtake blah blah blah'. I never agreed to s**t, but I did get up there and do what worked for ME!"

Player 432 - Bryton

Age: 21

Instagram: @brytonconstantin

From: South Carolina

Job: Student

Bryton has made quite the splash on Squid Game: The Challenge, and has found himself in the middle of a few arguments, especially when it comes to people calling him a "frat boy".

Netflix describe the player as "very outgoing and confident".

"Bryton likes learning about God and the Earth, as well as riding dirt bikes, working out, cooking and reading. He plans on forming alliances while also trusting himself."

Player 033 - Figgy

Age: 30

Instagram: @hashtagfiggy

From: Tennessee

Job: Teacher

Science teacher Figgy wants to be a "safe space" for people in the game by being someone they can depend on, which she hopes means she can in turn depend on them.

Figgy is no stranger to reality TV and previously appeared on the 33rd season of Survivor.

Player 101 - Kyle

Age: 30

From: Kentucky

Job: Customer services

Kyle struck up a connection with fellow player Dani in the first episode as they began working in the kitchen, which led to them choosing someone to eliminate.

During the competition, Kyle plans on "surveying the competition for weaknesses and is prepared to give people the cold shoulder when the time is right".

Player 134 - Dani

Age: 23

From: Florida

Job: Hospitality supervisor

Dani thinks she will do best in the marbles game as she believes she is good at getting into people's heads.

During the show, the 23-year-old gets the first test in the show when she has to choose someone to eliminate.

"I think, if I did that experience again, I probably would have made the same decision," Dani told Screen Rant.

She continued: "I'm a huge game nerd, so I love being cutthroat in games when we play game night, and I love reality TV shows, competition shows and things like that. So, I think I probably would have made the same decision, but I always will have regret for the decision I made."

Player 301 - Trey

Age: 25

Instagram: @choochootreyn

From: Illinois

Job: Delivery driver

Trey joined the show with his mother, LeAnn, in order to have a built-in alliance. If he wins the show, Trey wants to help his parents finish paying off their home.

Player 302 - LeAnn

Age: 64

Instagram: @leannplutnicki

From: New Jersey

Job: Retired newspaper editor

LeAnn hopes to overcome the perception the younger players have about the older players while on The Challenge.

LeAnn used to work at The New York Times, and she was the first woman at Kansas State to receive a full ride on a basketball scholarship.

Player 161 - Lorenzo

Age: 26

Instagram: @only.lorenzo

From: Italy, now living in United Kingdom

Job: Asset manager

Lorenzo is a self-described "master manipulator", who loves to design clothes and play basketball.

He has been manifesting making it to the final game and knows he'll be a multimillionaire soon.

Speaking about his experience on the show, Lorenzo told BBC News: "It felt like it was real - it didn't feel like you were in a fictional place."

Player 097 - Jada

Age: 24

Instagram: @itsjadasasha

From: New Jersey

Job: Marketing coordinator

While Jada is looking forward to being fully immersed in the game, she isn't looking forward to living in the dorm without her skin care products.

If Jada wins The Challenge, she plans to donate some of the money to kidney donor assistance centres.

Player 141 - Dash

Age: 29

Instagram: @dashkatz

From: New York

Job: Nanny

Part-time model and nanny Dash was named 'Most Likely to Be on Reality TV' in high school, and they are a self-professed superfan of social strategy on shows like Squid Game: The Challenge.

Player 200 - Mothi

Age: 37

From: United Kingdom

Job: Residential field technician

Mothi unfortunately became one of the first players to be crossed by his fellow contestants, as Dani and Kyle chose to eliminate him from the competition.

Player 198 - Husnain

Age: 23

Instagram: @husnainasiff

From: United Kingdom

Job: Accountancy graduate

One player who viewers recognised almost instantly was 198, with many recognising him for his antics on social media.

As viewers saw play out on screen, Husnain scored himself a meal when answering the phone, hoping he'd be able vote out someone instead.

However, when he picked the phone a second time, he was eliminated.

Player 243 - Stephen

Age: 30

From: Missouri

Job: Moving company owner

Stephen joined The Challenge with his best friend, Chase - but he was later eliminated during Red Light, Green Light. As the competition continues, Stephen forms a close bond with Rick, the game's oldest player.

Player 299 - Spencer

Age: 21

Instagram: @spencer_hawkins07

From: North Carolina

Job: Software engineer

Spencer didn't have the easiest ride during the competition, especially when it came to the Dalogna cookie challenge.

Looking back on his time on the show, Spencer admits one of his regrets was not "staying up later the night before" leaving, among other things.

He told Entertainment Weekly: "My only regret is not staying up later the night before, having more conversations with people and getting to hear their stories.

"And maybe taking a few minutes more with my cookie, because I rushed it a bit and ended up breaking it. But I don't think I would've put that on anyone else."

The first five episodes of Squid Game: The Challenge is available to stream on now. Sign up for Netflix from £6.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glassand Virgin Media Stream.

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