Plonk
Block puzzle games are one of the easiest puzzles to learn and one of the hardest to master. Here are the rules that almost every block puzzle shares, from classic wooden-style games to Block Blast and our own game, Plonk.
The board and the pieces
Most block puzzles use a square grid, usually 8×8, sometimes 9×9 or 10×10. Below the board you get a small set of pieces, often three at a time: squares, lines, L-shapes, T-shapes and small corners.
- Drag a piece onto the board and drop it anywhere it fits.
- Pieces usually can't be rotated, so you have to find a spot that matches their shape.
- When you have placed all the pieces in the set, a new set appears.
How lines clear
When a full row or a full column is filled with blocks, it clears and those cells become empty again. Filling a row and a column at the same time clears both. Clearing is the only way to make space, so it is the heart of the game.
How the game ends
The game ends when none of the pieces you have left fit anywhere on the board. There is usually no timer in the classic mode, so you can take as long as you need to think. In some games, like Plonk, every new set is guaranteed to contain at least one piece that fits, so a loss always comes from the board, never from an impossible deal.
How scoring works
- Placing pieces usually earns a small number of points, often one per block.
- Clearing lines earns more, and clearing several lines with one piece earns much more than clearing them one by one.
- Combos: many games reward clearing lines on several moves in a row with growing bonus points.
- Your best score is saved, so the real opponent is yourself.
Your first five games: what to focus on
- Look at all the pieces before you place the first one.
- Fill the edges and corners first and keep the middle open.
- Always leave room for a 3×3 square and a long bar.
- Avoid leaving single empty cells that only a 1×1 piece can fill.
- Once that feels easy, try setting up two lines to clear with one piece.
Ready for more? Read our tips for a higher score.
Learn the rules in Plonk
Plonk is our free block puzzle for Android, and it follows exactly these rules on an 8×8 board with three pieces at a time. It plays offline, needs no account, and every set of pieces has at least one that fits. The only ads are optional short videos you choose to watch.
- Endless Classic with combos and FEVER, which doubles your points for 3 moves.
- Adventure: 100 levels with gems, ice and bombs.
- Daily puzzle: a new one every day.
Quick answers
How do you play block puzzle?
Drag the pieces under the board onto the grid. When a full row or column is filled, it clears. Keep placing pieces and clearing lines; the game ends when none of your pieces fit.
Can you rotate pieces in block puzzle games?
In most block puzzles, including Plonk and Block Blast, pieces can't be rotated. You have to find a place that fits their shape.
Is there a time limit in block puzzle?
Usually not in the classic mode. You can take as long as you like to plan each move.
What is a good first block puzzle game for Android?
Plonk is a good choice: it is free, plays offline, needs no account, and every set of pieces has at least one that fits, so it is fair while you learn.
Read next
Try it yourselfPlonk is free on Google Play.