8: C-Spin

Tutorial Videos

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The Basics

C-spin is a splicing method with a T-spin triple followed by a T-spin double.

Diagram Set 8-1
1	2

The crossed and uncrossed purple boxes represent the T-spin double and T-spin triple, respectively.

It differs from DT Cannon because the T-spin double and triple orders are reversed. However, it deals the same damage.

It is the cleanest way to make a T-spin triple. This is because, unlike pure T-spin triples, it leaves no unclean overhangs since the last T-spin is a double. It is also better than the DT cannon because the latter leaves an unclean overhang, while C-spins do not.

Damage-wise, it is also higher than a Fractal. However, it can lead to vulnerabilities because it blocks the Tetris or garbage hole. You cannot protect yourself with a Tetris while building it.

This method is also helpful because it is one of the cleanest ways to downstack and sustain back-to-backs.

Common Mid-Game Chances

There are many mid-game opportunities for C-spin, making it one of the most practical setups.

1. General Ways

Here are some situations to use C-spin:

Diagram Set 8-2
A	B

These situations for C-spin happen most often in the mid-game.

Here is how to make C-spins:

Diagram Set 8-3
A	B

And here is how to make them. These follow from set 8-2’s opportunities.

2. Jagged Corner Mid-Game Chance

This jagged shape below in step 1 occurs often as a recurring garbage hole pattern:

Diagram Set 8-4
1	2

Spot this common jagged pattern mid-game while downstacking.

Just put an L over it and construct the lavender parts. C-spin done!

This is the easiest and most common way to make a C-spin.

3. Flat Base Mid-Game Chance

This is the second-most common way to create a C-spin:

Diagram Set 8-5
1	2

Spot this common mid-game pattern while downstacking.

Use the flat base to put an S piece. Stack the lavender parts. Done!

4. Flat L Base Mid-Game Chance

This is uncommon, but learning it opens up a new option:

Diagram Set 8-6
1	2

Spot this common mid-game pattern.

Put a horizontal L over it and stack with an S. Build the overhang. Done!

5. JZ Base Mid-Game Chance

This is semi-common and is worth memorizing:

Diagram Set 8-7
1	2

Spot this common mid-game pattern.

Put Z and J over it. Construct the lavender parts. C-spin done!

6. Super Spiral

C-spin can be constructed using the following unorthodox method below. It is called a Super Spiral or Ajanba Special. Trust me, these situations happen often!

Diagram Set 8-8
1	2

Place L this way.

Stack J on top to make a massive C-like shape. Add an overhang.

Spin an L into the C-like shape to make a single line clear.

This creates a C-spin!

This may seem exotic, but I found it highly practical in the right circumstances.

This method can be constructed out of order:

Diagram Set 8-9
1	2

Put an L this way when you see the mid-game opportunity.

Skim with a second L.

Top it with a J to make a T-spin triple. Then, add an S overhang.

The result is the same C-spin setup.

7. Grim Grotto Skim Mid-Game Chance

Grim Grotto is a prophecy method that uses a skim to shape the field into a shape conducive to making a C-spin:

Diagram Set 8-10
1	2

Spot this common mid-game pattern. Skim with a vertical Z piece.

The following jagged shape makes it easy to create a C-spin.

8. The Whirlpool Method

The Whirlpool, as covered in Book 3, is an advanced spliced T-spin method that inserts a T-spin double into a DT Cannon. The result is that, after the first T-spin double, you get a C-spin:

Diagram Set 8-11
1	2

Spot this common mid-game pattern. Put an O into it.

Construct the rest. You get a DT Cannon augmented by a C-spin!

9. Magic Key C-Spin

The Magic Key is a method that uses a prop, typically a vertical S or Z piece, to suspend a T-spin double over a pattern. After the first T-spin double, you get a shape conducive for a C-spin:

Diagram Set 8-12
1	2

Spot this common mid-game pattern.

Put the Z vertically this way for the first T-spin double.

Make the T-spin double.

The following shape can be filled in to make a C-spin!

Continuations and Follow-Ups

C-spins have many practical follow-ups.

1. General Continuations

Many C-spins with overhang heights of 1, 2, and 4 lead to good continuations:

Diagram Set 8-13
1	2

This C-spin’s overhang of 2 blocks leads easily to an immediate T-spin double in step 3.

Here are some ways to convert a one-block-tall C-spin overhang into mid-game LST or ST continuations:

Diagram Set 8-14
A	B

Stack the I and Z, Z and J, or L and S pieces like these, respectively.

This will make it easy to continue into LST or ST stacking.

However, the patterns below reduce efficient T-spin continuations:

Diagram Set 8-15
A	B

By now, the player should recognize such patterns and infer why they can likely ruin smooth T-spin continuations.

2. T-Spin Single to C-Spin

Here is an elegant trick to make a C-spin from the situation below:

Diagram Set 8-16
1	2

First, see this opportunity.

Stack Z and J like this.

Make a T-spin single instead of a T-spin double.

Upstack the overhang. You should get a C-spin.

This sometimes happens mid-game and is therefore a viable method.

In a Nutshell

In this entire book, I have not encountered a method that has as many mid-game situations as C-spins. They are among the few rare T-spin triple setups that are clean, as the final T-spin is a T-spin double. This makes C-spins one of the most practical, cleanest, and safest T-spin methods to learn.

Pros and Cons
Pros	Bursty. Perfect for T-spin double and Tetris continuations as they do not leave an overhang or shift the garbage hole after the first T-spin is fired off. Lots of mid-game situations. Cleaner than DT Cannon.
Cons	Not ideal if you are upstacking from non-garbage entirely, as it takes too long to set up.