How to Tetris

Tag: t-spins

  • First Steps to Tetris: A Guide for Casual Players

    Book A

    For Super-Casual Players
    No pressure. No theory. Just the basics — explained simply.

    94 pages of content!

    No AI text or image generation was used in this book.

    Coming Soon on Amazon!

    Free digital version released on this website on 27 Jan 2026!

    The print version will be out on Amazon soon!

    A Short, Ultra-Casual Introduction to Tetris

    First Steps to Tetris is an ultra-casual beginner guide by Tetris researcher Galactoid (3000+ hours of playtime), written for players who want to understand the game without being overwhelmed.

    If you’ve ever opened Tetris and thought, “I don’t really know what I’m doing,” this book is for you.

    ✦ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

    ✅ How Tetris works, explained plainly
    ✅ Simple stacking habits that keep your board safe
    ✅ How to make clean Tetrises without complex planning
    ✅ What to do when your board gets messy (basic downstacking)
    ✅ What perfect clears and T-spins are — without needing to master them
    ✅ Core tricks reduced to their simplest form

    Everything is taught step by step, with clear diagrams and zero assumed knowledge.

    ✦ WHY THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT:

    🔹 Other beginner guides still overload new players.
    🔸 This book removes complexity until only the essentials remain.

    Short, friendly, and non-intimidating — this book is designed to help you feel comfortable playing Tetris.

    No AI text or image generation was used in the creation of this book.

    ✦ BONUSES INCLUDED:

    📘 Free companion resources: website content and gameplay demonstrations.

    First Steps to Tetris is Book A in the How to Tetris series and comes before How to Start Tetris (Book 1).

    Key Book Features

    1. Learn from an Experienced Tetris Educator

    Galactoid—Tetris researcher and guidebook author—shares beginner-friendly explanations refined through years of teaching players across all skill levels. Everything here is stripped down to what truly matters.

    2. Understand How Tetris Actually Works

    Learn how pieces move, rotate, and clear lines without jargon or theory. This section removes confusion, so the game makes sense from the start.

    3. Stack Safely Without Overthinking

    Discover simple stacking habits that keep your board low, clean, and manageable—no advanced planning required.

    4. Make Clean Tetrises the Easy Way

    Learn the simplest way to build and clear Tetrises without complex setups or extensive memorization.

    5. Fix Messy Boards Calmly

    Understand basic downstacking—how to clear mistakes and recover when things go wrong, explained in plain language.

    6. Learn What “Advanced” Things Are (Without Needing to Do Them)

    Get a gentle introduction to perfect clears and T-spins so they’re no longer mysterious—no pressure to master them.

    7. Includes Free Companion Resources

    Free companion resources: website content, YouTube tutorial videos, and gameplay demonstrations.

    8. Book Chapters

    Here are Book A’s chapters:

    Before We Start
    How to Read this Book
    Chapter 1 How Tetris Really Works
    Chapter 2 Getting in the Zone
    Chapter 3 The Art of Movement
    Chapter 4 Stack Smarter, Not Harder
    Chapter 5 Scoring Big With Tetrises
    Chapter 6 Skim Lines Like a Pro
    Chapter 7 Digging & Combos Made Simple
    Chapter 8 T-Spins without Tears
    Chapter 9 Opening Moves: Starting Strong
    Chapter 10 Recovering Fast
    Chapter 11 Clearing the Field: A Bonus!
    Chapter 12 Ace Tetris with Core Tactics
    Where to Go Next
    Glossary
    Bibliography
    More Tetris Content
    About the Author

  • How to Tetris Book Series: Print Release!

    I’m excited to announce that the printed paperback versions of Books 2 and 3 are now available on Amazon as of 28th August 2025.

    Book 1’s physical version has also been released as of 29 October 2025.

    Books 4 and 0 have been released as of 15 Jan 2026!

    🎥 Celebrate the Book Series Launch with Me! Watch some mid-game Tetris gameplay here:

    Books 4 and 0’s Launch Trailer:

    Released on 15 Jan 2026!

    Books 2 and 3’s Launch Trailer:

    Book 1’s Physical Version Launch and Book 4’s Announcement Trailer:

    👉 Find Books 1, 2, 3, 4, & 0 on Amazon worldwide — links are in the table below.

    📚 Book 4 and 0’s paperbacks have been released on 15 Jan 2026!

    📚 Book 1 and 0’s digital versions are free on this website!

    📚 Many free Books 0, 1, 2, 3, & 4 chapters on this website!

    I’ve created dedicated book chapter video tutorials, errata, and clarification/notes pages, which will be updated if any issues are found:

    My goal is to democratize Tetris knowledge so the game can thrive for generations to come. Although I may no longer play competitively, I hope these guides help others surpass me and achieve their own goals.

    If you’ve enjoyed the books, I’d greatly appreciate a review on Amazon or Goodreads (simply search for the title there).

    If you’d like to support me in keeping the website free and funding future books (including Book 5), you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/galactoidtetris

    You can also subscribe to this website or follow me on my other social media platforms (YouTube, etc.) for future updates on Book 5 and more.

    Below is a quick guide to help you choose the most relevant book for your skill level:

    Book NumberTarget AudiencePurchase link and release
    Book 1: How to Start TetrisCasual beginners: If you want a book free of technicalities, and just want immediate, streamlined details to play for quick fun. Get this if you don’t care about technical details like parity management or field harmony.This book is a streamlined, beginner-friendly summary of my larger Tetris guides (mainly Book 2, with some content from Book 3). The complete digital version is free on this website — purchase this only if you prefer a physical copy or wish to support me. If you already own Book 2, there’s no need to buy Book 1.

    Printed version here: Click here to Buy at Amazon
    Book 2: How to Play TetrisAvid beginner and Intermediate players: If you are ready for the next step and want more detailed and technical information, as well as a nuanced understanding and application.

    Tournament or competitive players: If you are playing competitively, I recommend Book 2 as it covers the foundations that apply to 80% of the mid-game.    		Click here to Buy at Amazon
    Book 3: How to Master TetrisAdvanced players: If you are already super strong in your foundations and just want to cover the other 20% of cases, this book is for you.

    Enthusiasts: For those who just want to know everything (all kinds of props for 20 T-spin double runs, freestyle T-spins, etc.). Also, for those who want plenty of technical details and nuanced, optimized, and practical methods that suit the rare 1% of situations.    		Click here to Buy at Amazon
    Book 4: How to Finish TetrisAll-spin Enthusiasts: 6 long chapters dedicated to all-spin setups. Includes back-to-back maintenance with all-spins, all-spin props and donations, spliced all-spin setups, etc.

    Generalists: Covers foundational methods in greater detail, which I have not been able to do in Books 2 and 3. Includes things like field harmony, parity, consistency, efficiency, 20 TSD sprints, etc.    		Released on 15 Jan 2026!

    Click here to Buy at Amazon
    Book 0: The Tao of TetrisSpiritual Seekers: For readers interested in the spiritual laws underlying existence, explored through Tetris as a living metaphor. Draws on insights from Buddhism, Theosophy, Hinduism, Sufism, Christian Mysticism, Taoism, and Zen.

    Informed by the author’s Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs), with discussion of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and afterlife studies.    		Spirituality book using Tetris as a metaphor; does not teach gameplay.

    Published for free on this website!

    Printed version here: Click here to Buy at Amazon