The heart of Tetris lies in its seven unique Tetriminos and the art of clearing lines. Each Tetrimino is composed of four square blocks and has a distinct shape. Understanding their properties and how to manipulate them is crucial for success.
The Seven Tetriminos
- I-Tetrimino (Straight): The coveted 'Tetris' piece, used for clearing four lines at once.
- O-Tetrimino (Square): Simple, but can be tricky to fit into tight spaces.
- T-Tetrimino (T-Shape): Essential for T-Spins, a high-scoring technique.
- L-Tetrimino (L-Shape): Versatile for filling gaps.
- J-Tetrimino (J-Shape): Mirror image of the L-Tetrimino.
- S-Tetrimino (S-Shape): Often used for creating 'wells' or for T-Spins.
- Z-Tetrimino (Z-Shape): Mirror image of the S-Tetrimino.
Line Clears & Scoring
The primary objective is to clear horizontal lines by filling them completely with blocks. When a line is cleared, it disappears, and all blocks above it fall down. Clearing multiple lines simultaneously yields higher scores:
- Single: 1 line cleared.
- Double: 2 lines cleared.
- Triple: 3 lines cleared.
- Tetris: 4 lines cleared (using an I-Tetrimino). This is the most efficient way to score.
Additional points are awarded for combos (consecutive line clears), T-Spins, and Back-to-Back Tetris/T-Spins. Aim for these advanced techniques to truly maximize your score.