How Suvi scores
Every square you place is worth 1 point, so a 3×3 is worth 9 before it clears anything. Each full row or column you clear is worth 10. When one placement clears more than one line, every extra line adds 5 more.
| Lines at once | Line points | Bonus | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2 | 20 | 5 | 25 |
| 3 | 30 | 10 | 40 |
| 4 | 40 | 15 | 55 |
A row and a column that cross count as two lines. There is no bonus for clearing on several turns in a row: the bonus only counts lines cleared by the same piece.
What that means for play: the multi-line bonus is real but modest. Three lines at once is worth 40, against 30 for three separate clears. Staying alive matters more than setting up one huge clear, so never clog the board to chase it.
Know the pieces, and the ones to fear
Pieces never rotate: each way round of an L or a T is its own piece. The set is a single square; straight lines of 2, 3, 4 and 5 both ways; the 2×2 and 3×3 squares; 2×3 and 3×2 rectangles; a small three-square L; a big five-square corner; and a T. Big pieces come less often, and the 3×3 is the rarest of all.
Three shapes end most games:
- The 3×3 needs a clear three-by-three block.
- The five-long lines need five clear squares in one row, or in one column.
- The big corner needs three clear squares along and three down from the same corner square.
Keep a 3×3 space somewhere, and at least one row and one column with five clear squares in a line. If a placement would take away the last of either, look for another spot.
Three pieces: order matters
You get three pieces and choose the order; three more come only when all three are down. Look at all three before you place any.
- Place the most awkward piece first, usually the biggest.
- Check that the other two still fit after it. If they don't, try a different spot.
- If one piece clears a line, place it before the others: the space it opens may be where the next one goes.
Suvi never deals three pieces that can't be placed at all: if none would fit, the third is swapped for the biggest shape that does. That only helps at the moment of the deal. Once one piece is down, the other two may not fit, and the game ends when nothing left in the tray fits. There's no undo, so each placement is final.
Keep the board open
- Keep your space in one piece. One big open area takes any shape; the same number of squares scattered in holes takes only small ones.
- Avoid single-square holes. A hole boxed in on all sides can only take the single square.
- Fill from the edges. Build out from one side or a corner and keep the middle free for the big pieces.
- Line up your clears. Rows that are all missing the same squares can clear together. In this example, three rows each lack only the fifth square, so the three-long upright line clears all three for 43 points.
| ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | · | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | · | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | · | ■ | ■ | ■ |
Set-ups like this are worth building only while the rest of the board stays open.
The daily target, Endless and the one more go
On the daily board everyone gets the same pieces in the same order, and the target comes from our bot playing that sequence, set below what it scores so it's a fair aim for a person. Beating it doesn't end the game: keep going for your best.
Endless deals fresh random pieces every game and keeps your best score, so it's the place to practice without a target hanging over you.
When nothing fits, you can have one more go once per game, free while Suvi is new. Suvi clears your two fullest rows (rows, not columns) and you carry on with the pieces still in your tray. It adds no points, and if those pieces still don't fit, the game ends. A long flat line will fit in a cleared row, but a 3×3 needs three rows of space, so look at what's left in your tray before you decide.
If you only remember three things
- Keep room for the 3×3 and for a five-long line.
- Look at all three pieces before you place one.
- One open area beats scattered holes.
Put it to work on today's daily board and see if you can beat the target.
Questions
- Can I rotate the pieces?
- No. Each way round of an L, a T or a corner is a separate piece, so you place what you're given as it comes.
- Do I score extra for clearing lines on turns in a row?
- No. The bonus is only for lines cleared by the same placement: 5 extra for each line beyond the first.
- Why did my friend get a different piece on the daily?
- If none of the three pieces dealt would fit anywhere on your board, Suvi swaps the third for the biggest shape that does. That swap depends on your board, so it can differ between players. Every other piece is the same for everyone.
- Is there an undo?
- No. Every placement is final, which is why it pays to check that all three pieces will fit before you put the first one down.
Play it now
Blocks is free on Suvi, on your phone or computer, no download. Also: Blocks Endless.