How to Tetris

T-spin Donation Props

T-spins can be made using props of several pieces combined. It can be a single piece or an elaborate one with three or more pieces. When one memorizes these common mid-game forms, they can be used with deadly speed with enough practice.

There are way too many T-spin donation props to fit into this short video commentary reasonably. These make up only a tiny fraction of what is possible. However, they should be enough to inspire players to get creative.

Here is a list of tips:

  1. Memorize the most common one-piece T-spin and side props. They are most easily created mid-game with maximal speed.
  2. Memorize the intermediate two-piece T-spin and side props. They should still be practical mid-game.
  3. Memorize the advanced three or more-piece props. These should be used sparingly because of their high piece and field dependencies. They are typically dangerous, but any T-spin is viable if one is fast enough.
  4. Ensure that you are familiar with their aftermath patterns to stack for maximal continuations (T-spin, Tetris, etc.).
  5. Give them up when it is dangerous, such as when the garbage hole is blocked for a quick Tetris.

I present my Twitch Tetris clips, featuring my actual gameplay, to demonstrate the above. Below every video is a set of commentaries unique to that clip.

Enjoy! I hope you will learn from my demonstrations.

Please click on the Twitch links in the demonstrations below.

Triple Stacking SZ Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2546531426

  • Note how SZ props can be stacked for more T-spin doubles.
  • However, the deepest column poses a danger in the long run.

Fancy Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2545934561

  • Note how the sides can be suspended. Recognize that these kinds of setups create more mid-game chances.

Freestyle Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2546540253

  • A common mid-game side prop.

ZJ Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2545922817

  • This ZJ prop is very common mid-game.

Mid-game T-spin Triple Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2545921653

  • This seems complicated, but the criss-crossing SZ part happens a lot mid-game.

JJ Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2545901470

  • JJ prop is similar to SZ props.

3-piece T-spin Triple Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532610416

  • A very memorizable 3-piece prop.

3-piece T-spin Triple Prop No Hesitation:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532600137

  • Same.
  • Notice how fast I created it because I memorized it.

SZ Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532525492

  • Note how S and Z combine.

S Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532524703

  • Note how S is used as a prop far away from the T-spin cavity.

LS Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532523840

  • Note how L and S combine.

Another LS Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532512117

  • Same.

Many Freestyle Donations:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532442703

  • Note the freestyle donations in this sequence.
  • Many can’t be memorized. You must freestyle them.

JO Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532422774

  • Note the left side’s L and O combination.

Crazy Props:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532413783

  • Note the STSD J prop.
  • And the 3-piece T-spin triple prop.

SL Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2532394251

  • Note the clever S and L pieces combining on the left to make a freestyle side prop.

Crazy Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2518383051

  • Note the left side’s suspended and incomplete side prop.
  • Props like this extend your range of T-spins.

IJ Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2518370159

  • Note the clever IJ suspended prop.

Sky Prop Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2518357948

  • Note how the Sky Prop’s side prop to the right is only partially suspended.
  • Learning this opens up many mid-game options.

LT Insane Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517589525

  • Note the LT side prop on the right.

SZ Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517586756

  • Note how S and Z are used as a side prop to fill a 2-high row for the T-spin double. Elegant.

IL Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517456219

  • Simple and elegant IL prop.

LJ Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517449402

  • See how L and J make a clean T-spin prop.

Crazy Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517394806

  • Note the left side prop.

LT Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517369100

  • Pretty subtle way to put L and T together to make a side prop.

STSD J Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517364396

  • Note the use of J in this partial STSD.

Another Insane Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2517337876

  • The right side’s prop is pretty crazy.

Freestyle Props:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2480454390

  • This clip has many freestyle donations.

ILL TST Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2480449609

  • Another T-spin Triple 3-piece prop with ILL.

ZJ Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2479479423

  • Note how ZJ combines to form a side prop.

LT Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2479471527

  • Get creative.

Elegant Z Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2454892964

  • Note the clever use of Z as a side prop on the far right.

Z Side Prop:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2454890848

  • Same.

6-3 Props:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2454840029

  • Note how 6-3 stacking can be enhanced using many of this clip’s freestyle props, like the L and J combination.

More clips may be added in the future. However, this list is enough to showcase the core points. Any further ones may be redundant.

However, I emphasize that the sheer number of possible T-spin donation props is endless. This short guide only showcases a few. More on my stream and YouTube videos (@GalactoidTetris)!