Alternative Line Clear

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Sometimes, a player needs to break back-to-back and skim lines down with intuitive methods. This is especially necessary in multiplayer to clear garbage efficiently. Make use of the different properties of the seven tetrominoes. Don't always clear lines in the most obvious manner because it might not be the optimal method. Think outside of the box.

For this diagram situation, a Z is the obvious fit to clear a double but there are better choices.

..........
GGGGGGGG..
GGGGGGGG..
GGGGGGGG.G
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
..........
GGGGGGGGT.
GGGGGGGGTT
GGGGGGGGTG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
..........
GGGGGGGGJJ
GGGGGGGGJ.
GGGGGGGGJG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
........I.
GGGGGGGGI.
GGGGGGGGI.
GGGGGGGGIG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

On the other hand, if ZST are in the preview, Z might be a good choice, allowing for a T-spin single that restores back-to-back:

..........
GGGGGGGGOO
GGGGGGGGOO
GGGGGGGG.G
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

Either an O

..........
GGGGGGGG.Z
GGGGGGGGZZ
GGGGGGGGZG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

or a Z

..........
......SS..
.....SS...
GGGGGGGG.Z
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

gets the field
to this state

..........
......SST.
.....SSTT.
GGGGGGGGTZ
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

to make a
T-spin single

In this diagram situation, an O would fit snugly but it's not optimal and forces you to clear two singles.

GG........
GG....GGGG
GGG..GGGGG
GGG..GGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GG........
GGLLJJGGGG
GGGLJGGGGG
GGGLJGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGS..Z....
GGSSZZGGGG
GGGSZGGGGG
GGG..GGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GG...Z....
GGLLZZGGGG
GGGLZGGGGG
GGGL.GGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGS.......
GGSSJJGGGG
GGGSJGGGGG
GGG.JGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

If you don't see a T coming and desperately need to flatten the field in this situation, try these methods.

..........
GG....GGGG
GGG...GGGG
GGGG.GGGGG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
..........
GG...LGGGG
GGGLLLGGGG
GGGG.GGGGG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
..........
..........
GGJJJLGGGG
GGGGJGGGGG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.

These variations don't open up the column but do make room for a T-Spin.

..........
GG....GGGG
GGG...GGGG
GGGG.GGGGG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
..S.......
GGSS.ZGGGG
GGGSZZGGGG
GGGGZGGGGG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
..Z.......
GGZZOOGGGG
GGGZOOGGGG
GGGG.GGGGG
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.
GGGGGGGGG.