What is a T-Spin?
A T-Spin occurs when you rotate a T-piece into a tight space where it could not have been placed by simply moving it. T-Spins award significantly more points and send more garbage than regular clears.
Detection: The 3-Corner Rule
A clear counts as a T-Spin when all three conditions are met:
- The last action before locking was a rotation
- The T-piece occupies a position it could only reach by rotating
- At least 3 of the 4 corners adjacent to the T-piece center are occupied (by blocks or walls)
Full T-Spin vs Mini T-Spin
- Full T-Spin: The two corners on the front of the T (the flat side of the T shape) are both occupied
- Mini T-Spin: Only one front corner is occupied, or the T-Spin was achieved through a wallkick to a position where both back corners are filled
T-Spin Scoring
| Type | Base Points | Garbage Sent |
|---|---|---|
| T-Spin Mini Single | 100 | 0 lines |
| T-Spin Mini Double | 400 | 1 line |
| T-Spin Single | 800 | 2 lines |
| T-Spin Double (TSD) | 1,200 | 4 lines |
| T-Spin Triple (TST) | 1,600 | 6 lines |
All T-Spins count as difficult clears for Back-to-Back bonus (1.5x points, +1 garbage).
Common T-Spin Setups
T-Spin Double (TSD) The most common setup. Create an overhang over a T-shaped gap, then rotate the T-piece into the slot.
T-Spin Triple (TST) Requires a deeper setup with 3 clearable rows. Very powerful - sends 6 garbage lines (7 with B2B).
Donation / Imperial Cross Advanced setups where you intentionally build T-Spin slots into your stack.
Tips
- Always look for T-Spin opportunities before placing T-pieces flat
- Hold your T-piece if you see a potential T-Spin setup forming
- T-Spin Doubles are the bread and butter of competitive play
- Practice recognizing overhangs - any L or J shaped overhang is a potential TSD