T-Spin
Modern Tetris games reward the player for twisting the T tetrimino into a tight space. This kind of move is called T-spin.
Current rules
T-spins are detected and rewarded upon the locking of a T tetrimino. The mechanism can be described as follows:
- The last maneuver of the T tetrimino must be a rotation.
- If there are two minoes in the front corners of the 3 by 3 square occupied by the T (the front corners are ones next to the sticking out mino of the T) and at least one mino in the two other corners (to the back), it is a "proper" T-spin.
- Otherwise, if there is only one mino in two front corners and two minoes to the back corners, it is a Mini T-spin. However, if the last rotation that kicked the T moves its center 1 by 2 blocks (the last rotation offset of SRS), it is still a proper T-spin.
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| A T is dropped. | Three corners are detected, two to the front. |
T-spin single. |
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| Another T. | Three corners are detected, but two are to the back. |
Mini T-spin single. |
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| Yet another T. | Two corners are to the back, but the rotation brought the T's center 2 blocks down, 1 block right. |
T-spin double. |
If the T is facing against a wall or floor, the two back corners are considered as if there were minoes there.
This mechanism of detection has some scenarios that do not quite make sense as "twisting the T into tight space" but it still rewards them anyway. Some of them are as follows.
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| T on the stack. (Black minos represent the playfield's walls and floors.) |
Three corners are detected, but is this a twist? |
Yes, it still is. Mini T-spin single. |
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| Same board as the first. |
Rotate like this... | but then immediately rotate it back. |
Mini T-spin single. |
Rewards
Scoring
- Main article: Scoring#Recent guideline compatible games
The amount of score awarded for a T-spin depends on the number of lines cleared using it and whether it is Mini.
| Lines | Mini T-spin | T-spin |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 400 |
| 1 | 200 | 800 |
| 2 | 400 | 1200 |
| 3 | [Impossible.] | 1600 |
The score is then further multiplied by the level and back-to-back bonus.
Any T-spin that clears lines, whether Mini or not, is considered "difficult" and will trigger back-to-back. T-spins that clear no lines, however, don't break the back-to-back chain. Also, on tetris.com, vertical TSMDs give no points, will give the lines, but the line goal is +2 multiplied by times performed.
In battles
T-spins usually send garbage to opponents. T-spin doubles are at least as powerful as a Tetris and are commonly sought after in battles, while T-spin triples are even scarier. Various setups have been created to create opportunities for T-spins and utilize them as much as possible.
Other rules
Immobile
In The New Tetris, T-spins are recognized if the T tetrimino cannot move in any direction when locking. There is only a reward if rows are completed this way.
Three-corner variants
- Tetris Worlds doesn't recognize rotations resulting in the T laying against a wall or the floor as a T-spin.
- Tetris: New Century, iPod Tetris, Tetris Evolution,... only recognize T-spins without kicking, i.e. the last rotation of the T must be in-place.
- Tetris Zone does not recognize T-spin triples.
Lenient
Tetris the Grand Master 3: Terror-Instinct declares a "T-SPIN!" simply if the last movement of a T is rotation when clearing lines.