1. Keep the centre open
Pieces placed in the centre block four directions at once. Work from the edges and corners inward, and treat the middle as a reserve for awkward shapes.
2. Plan all three pieces before placing one
Look at the full set. Find a home for each piece, then decide the order. Many games end with one piece left over because the first two were placed without a thought for the third.
3. Place the hardest piece first
The 3×3 square, the long five-bar and the big L are the pieces that end games. Place them while the board is at its emptiest, then fit the small pieces around them.
4. Always keep a 3×3 space
If you have nowhere to put a 3×3 square, you are one unlucky deal from losing. Protect at least one open 3×3 area at all times, and a straight run of five cells for the long bar.
5. Avoid dead cells
A single empty cell surrounded by blocks can only be filled by a 1×1 piece, which rarely arrives. Dead cells also stop their row and column from clearing. Build in solid rectangles so gaps stay wide and usable.
6. Clear two lines at once
One piece that completes a row and a column, or two rows together, scores far more than two separate clears. Set these up on purpose: build two nearly complete lines that share a gap, then fill it.
7. Keep your streak alive
Clearing on back-to-back turns builds a streak bonus. If you can choose between clearing now with one piece or holding it, clear with each set of three where possible so the streak never drops.
8. Do not chase a combo into a full board
A combo set-up that leaves the board 80% full is a gamble. If the right piece does not come, you lose. Take the safe single clear when space is tight, and build combos when the board is open.
9. Use the edges for long pieces
Bars fit best flush against a wall, where they complete lines without leaving gaps on both sides. Squares and L-pieces fit best in corners.
10. Slow down
There is no timer. The only cost of thinking is time, and you have plenty. The moment to slow down most is when the board is half full, because that is where games are decided.
Put it into practice
Open a game of Block Blast and try just one of these for a full round. Tip 2 alone is usually worth a new personal best. If you are still learning the basics, start with how to play Block Blast.
These habits transfer to every line-clearing board. Test them on the bigger grid of 1010+ Block Puzzle, or under combo pressure in Block Color Puzzle Blast.
