Downstacking (Lowering the Stack)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Safely bring down a dangerously high stack to survive a crisis.

Downstacking is the technique of clearing lines to bring down a dangerously tall stack. Rather than forcing a high-score play, focus on filling gaps and clearing completed lines one at a time to manage the height.

The key is prioritizing rows with holes to free them up first, and keeping the surface flat so you can place whatever piece comes next.

When the stack is building up fast, survival through downstacking takes priority over flashy techniques. Keeping the stack below half height lets you play with much more room to breathe.

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