Below is a summary of common controls used in Tetris:
- Left/Right Movement: Shift the falling tetromino one unit to the left or right. This is typically done using the left/right arrow keys (or corresponding buttons on other devices).
- Rotation: Rotate the tetromino in 90-degree increments. Many games allow both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations, often assigned to the up arrow key or specific rotation keys (such as "X" for clockwise and "Z" for counterclockwise).
- Soft Drop: Press the soft drop key (usually the down arrow) to speed up the descent of the tetromino. This helps in positioning the block more quickly, but it does not lock the piece in place immediately.
- Hard Drop: Use the hard drop key (commonly the space bar) to instantly drop the tetromino to the lowest possible position and lock it in place immediately.
- Hold (Optional): Some versions of Tetris include a hold feature, allowing you to store the current tetromino for later use. This is usually activated by pressing a designated key (often the Shift key).
These controls allow players to maneuver and strategically position the tetrominoes as they fall, aiming to complete lines and clear them from the playing field.