A block puzzle is played on a square grid. You get a few blocks at a time, drag each one onto an empty spot, and every time a row or a column is completely full, it disappears and scores points. Blocks can't be turned, there's no timer, and the game only ends when none of the blocks you're holding fits anywhere. That's the whole game: the skill is in where you put things.
Here are the rules in detail, using Blockfold (an 8×8 board with three blocks at a time) as the example. Most block puzzles work the same way, with small differences in board size and scoring.
The rules
- The board. An 8×8 grid of empty squares. Some games use 9×9 or 10×10; the idea is the same.
- Your blocks. Three blocks wait under the board. They come in fixed shapes: single squares, straight lines from 2 to 5 squares, 2×2 and 3×3 squares, corners, L shapes, T shapes and zigzags.
- Placing. Drag a block onto the board and let go. It snaps to the nearest squares. If it doesn't fit there, it goes back to the tray and nothing is lost.
- No turning. A block keeps the shape and direction it was given. A vertical line stays vertical.
- Clearing. When every square of a row or a column is filled, that line empties. If one move fills a row and a column at the same time, both clear together.
- New blocks. When you've placed all three blocks, you get three new ones. You can place the three in any order.
- Game over. If none of the blocks left in your tray fits anywhere on the board, the game ends. In Blockfold, a block that has no room left is shown faded, so you can see it coming.
How points work in Blockfold
| What you do | Points |
|---|---|
| Place a block | 1 per square |
| Clear 1 line | 10 |
| Clear 2 lines at once | 30 |
| Clear 3 lines at once | 60 |
| Clear 4 lines at once | 100 |
| Keep a streak going | +10 for each step of the streak |
| Empty the whole board | +300 |
A streak means clearing again within the next three blocks. The counter under your score shows Streak ×2, Streak ×3 and so on while it lasts. More on this in how to get a high score.
Your first game, step by step
- Start in a corner. Put your first big block against an edge or a corner, not in the middle. Edges are easy to fill around; the middle splits the board in two.
- Build one line at a time. Fill the bottom row, or the left column, until it clears. You'll see the line light up in the block's colour just before you let go: that means it will clear.
- Look at all three blocks before moving. Place the hardest one first (usually the biggest), while there's still room for it.
- Keep a big empty area. A 3×3 square or a 5-long line needs a lot of space. Try to keep at least one open area where they would fit.
- When the game ends, you'll see your score, your best score and how many lines you cleared. Tap Play again.
If you close the app in the middle of a game, Blockfold saves it after every move, so you carry on where you left off.
Common beginner questions
Can I rotate a block? No. In classic block puzzles, the shape you get is the shape you place. That's what makes planning matter.
Can I skip or swap a block? Not in Blockfold. Every block has to be placed somewhere before new ones arrive, so choose the order wisely.
Is there a time limit? No. Take as long as you like over each move.
Does the game get harder? The board itself is what gets harder: the more cluttered it is, the fewer places the big blocks fit. Keeping it tidy is the whole strategy. See 10 block puzzle tips for how.
