Fundamentals
Neon Blocks Tetris implements modern Tetris mechanics including SRS (Super Rotation System), hold piece functionality, next piece preview, and advanced techniques like T-Spins and perfect clears. Mastering these mechanics is essential for high scores and deep runs.
Tetromino Mechanics
Seven Shapes
I-piece (Cyan): 4-wide line. Only piece that clears 4 lines (Tetris). Use for vertical stacking.
O-piece (Yellow): 2×2 square. No rotation. Fill gaps or build platforms.
T-piece (Purple): T-shape. Most versatile. Required for T-Spins.
J-piece (Blue): L-shape reversed. Good for left-side anchors.
L-piece (Orange): L-shape. Good for right-side anchors.
S-piece (Green): Z-shape reversed. Creates diagonal patterns.
Z-piece (Red): Z-shape. Creates diagonal patterns.
Rotation System (SRS)
- • Press ↑ to rotate clockwise (90°)
- • Most pieces have 4 rotation states (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°)
- • O-piece has 1 state (rotation does nothing)
- • I-piece rotates around center point
- • SRS allows "wall kicks" (piece shifts left/right to complete rotation)
- • T-piece has special kick rules enabling T-Spins
Advanced: Learn rotation states to pre-rotate pieces during fall, saving time.
Scoring System Complete Breakdown
Base Line Clear Points
Single (1 line): 10 × (level + 1)
Double (2 lines): 30 × (level + 1)
Triple (3 lines): 50 × (level + 1)
Tetris (4 lines): 80 × (level + 1)
T-Spin Single: 80 × (level + 1)
T-Spin Double: 120 × (level + 1)
T-Spin Triple: 160 × (level + 1)
Perfect Clear: +100 × (level + 1)
Example: Level 5, Tetris = 80 × 6 = 480 points
Back-to-Back (B2B) Bonus
Clearing a difficult line (Tetris or T-Spin) immediately after another difficult line awards a 1.5× multiplier. This stacks indefinitely as long as you maintain the chain.
Example Chain:
- • Tetris: 480 pts (no bonus, first difficult clear)
- • T-Spin Double: 120 × 6 × 1.5 = 1080 pts (B2B!)
- • Tetris: 80 × 6 × 1.5 = 720 pts (B2B continues!)
- • Single line: 60 pts (B2B chain broken)
Strategy: Never clear 1-3 lines between Tetrises/T-Spins if possible. Always maintain B2B chain.
Combo System
Clearing lines on consecutive drops (no pieces placed without clearing) builds a combo multiplier.
- • Combo 1: +10 pts
- • Combo 2: +20 pts
- • Combo 3: +30 pts
- • Combo 4+: +50 pts per combo
Combos stack with B2B bonuses and base points. A 10-combo Tetris at level 5 = 480 + 500 = 980 pts (+ B2B = 1470 pts!).
T-Spin Mastery
What is a T-Spin?
A T-Spin is a special move where the T-piece is rotated into a tight space (usually a T-shaped cavity) using wall kicks. T-Spins award massive bonus points, making them essential for competitive play.
Requirements for T-Spin Detection:
- • T-piece must be rotated as the last action before locking
- • At least 3 of the 4 cells around the T-piece center must be occupied
- • T-piece must clear at least 1 line
Basic T-Spin Setup (TSS - T-Spin Single)
The simplest T-Spin clears 1 line but awards 80 × (level + 1) points—same as a Tetris!
Setup pattern (X = filled, _ = empty, T = T-piece):
X X _ X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X ← Clear this line
↑
Place T here, rotate clockwise
Build a notch (2-wide gap) in your stack. Drop T-piece flat above it, rotate clockwise. The wall kick pushes it into the notch, clearing 1 line.
Advanced T-Spin Double (TSD)
Clears 2 lines simultaneously. Awards 120 × (level + 1) base + B2B bonus = 180 × (level + 1) with B2B active.
TSD overhang setup:
X X X X X _ X X X X
X X X X X _ X X X X ← Clear both lines
X X X X X X X X X X
↑
Rotate T here
Create an overhang with 2 rows of single-column gap. Place T horizontally above, rotate to slot in vertically. Clears 2 lines.
T-Spin Triple (TST) - Expert
The rarest and most valuable T-Spin. Clears 3 lines. Awards 160 × (level + 1) base, ~240 with B2B.
Requires complex setup and is situational. Most top players focus on consistent TSDs rather than risky TSTs.
Stacking Patterns
Flat Stacking (Beginner)
Keep surface as flat as possible, minimize height variance between columns.
Pros:
- • Easy to execute
- • Safe, low risk of holes
- • Works at all speeds
Cons:
- • Low scoring potential
- • No T-Spin opportunities
9-0 Stacking (Intermediate)
Keep leftmost or rightmost column empty. Build 9 columns high, place I-pieces vertically for Tetrises.
Pros:
- • Consistent Tetris opportunities
- • Maintains B2B bonus easily
- • Simple mental model
Cons:
- • Vulnerable if I-piece drought occurs
- • Limited T-Spin setups
6-3 Stack (Advanced)
Build a platform 6 columns wide on left, leave 3-column well on right. Alternate between TSD setups and Tetrises.
Pros:
- • High scoring potential
- • Mix of Tetrises and T-Spins
- • Flexible piece placement
Cons:
- • Requires memorized patterns
- • Harder to execute at high speed
T-Spin Stacking (Expert)
Intentionally create TSD cavities, prioritize T-Spins over Tetrises. Requires deep piece queue awareness.
Pros:
- • Maximum points per line cleared
- • Can score without I-pieces
- • Dominates competitive play
Cons:
- • Steep learning curve
- • Mistakes create unfillable holes
- • Requires hold piece mastery
Level Progression & Speed
Level-Up Mechanics
- • Level increases every 200-400 points (varies by stage)
- • Each level increases gravity (piece falls faster)
- • Level 1: 1 row per second
- • Level 5: 3 rows per second
- • Level 10: 6 rows per second
- • Level 15+: Near-instant drop (20 rows per second)
Strategy: At Level 10+, pieces fall too fast to think. You must know your next 3 moves before piece spawns. Use next piece preview and hold piece aggressively.
High Level Survival Tips
1. Soft Drop Constantly: Hold ↓ to accelerate pieces. Don't let gravity control timing.
2. Hard Drop Mastery: Space bar instantly locks piece. Use to execute rapid placements. Saves critical 0.5-1 second per piece at high levels.
3. Pre-Rotation: Rotate piece to final orientation during fall, before reaching stack. Saves reaction time.
4. Hold Piece Aggressively: Don't save hold for "perfect moment." Swap constantly to optimize every placement.
5. Keep Stack Low: Never exceed 12 rows height. High stacks at Level 15+ = instant death. Clear lines aggressively even if breaking B2B.
Common Mistakes
Creating Holes
Leaving unfillable gaps under overhangs. One hole can cascade into game over. Always visualize 2 rows below before placing.
Hoarding Hold Piece
Saving hold piece for "perfect opportunity" that never comes. Use hold aggressively—it refills every piece.
Ignoring Next Piece
Not looking at next piece preview until current piece locks. Causes decision paralysis at high speeds. Always know next 2 pieces.
Clearing Singles Unnecessarily
Clearing 1 line when you could wait for Tetris/TSD opportunity. Singles break B2B and score poorly. Patience > panic clearing.
Mobile-Specific Tips
Touch Controls Optimization
- • D-Pad: Left thumb controls movement
- • Rotate/Drop: Right thumb
- • Practice thumb coordination separately before combining
- • Reduce screen brightness to minimize battery drain on long sessions
- • Enable lock delay in settings (gives 0.5s extra placement time)
Mobile Challenges
- • Smaller screen = harder to see stack details
- • Touch latency ~50ms slower than keyboard
- • HUD buttons may occlude board edges
- • Solution: Play in landscape, use larger device if available
- • Mobile high scores ~30% lower than desktop average
Ready to Stack Like a Pro?
Master these techniques and watch your scores multiply. Start with 9-0 stacking, graduate to TSD setups, dominate leaderboards.
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