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To beat a hard match-3 level, start from the level's goal instead of the most obvious match. Make matches near the bottom of the board so falling pieces can set off free cascades, and build special pieces instead of spending moves on small matches. Clear blockers early, before they use up your last moves.
These tips work in most match-3 games, whether the pieces are gems, candies or fruit. If you are new to the genre, start with what match-3 games are.
Read the level goal first
Older match-3 games ran until no move was left. Since the early 2010s, many games have been split into levels, each with a target and a limited number of moves. A big combo that does nothing for the goal is a wasted move.
Before your first swap, check what you need to collect or clear, how many moves or seconds you have, and where the goal pieces sit.
| Goal type | What it asks | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| Score | Reach a target number of points | Cascades and special-piece combos |
| Collect | Clear a set number of one piece or color | Matches of that color and color-clearing pieces |
| Clear tiles | Break ice, jelly or other layers under pieces | Matches on top of the covered squares |
| Drop items | Bring an item down to the bottom row | Clearing the columns under the item |
| Timed | Hit the goal before the clock runs out | Quick, simple matches with fewer pauses |
Match low on the board
When pieces clear, the pieces above them fall and new ones drop in from the top. A match near the bottom moves more pieces, so falling pieces are more likely to line up into new matches by themselves. These chain reactions, called cascades, cost you no moves.
A match near the top moves only a few pieces, so it rarely causes a cascade. Save top matches for goals up there, such as a blocker in the top row. New pieces are random, so you cannot plan a cascade exactly, but matching low raises the odds.
Make special pieces
Matching more than three pieces at once usually creates a special piece. Many match-3 games follow a pattern seen in PopCap's Bejeweled 2, where four in a line gives a power gem and five gives a hyper cube. Common patterns in today's games:
- Four in a line makes a piece that clears a row or a column, or one that explodes.
- An L or T shape of five pieces often makes a bomb that clears the area around it.
- Five in a line makes a piece that clears every piece of one color.
The exact rules differ between games, so check the tutorial. On a hard level, look for a four or five before you take an easy three.
Combine special pieces
Swapping two special pieces into each other usually triggers a much bigger effect than using them one at a time. Two line-clearers often clear a row and a column together.
So do not fire a special piece the moment you make it. Keep it until you can pair it with a second special or until it can hit the goal directly. When you are about to run out of moves, use every special you have.
Save your moves
Hard levels often come down to the last few moves. A few habits help:
- Look for the match that does two things, such as clearing a blocker and collecting a goal piece at once.
- Count what is left. With five moves remaining and 20 pieces to collect, small matches will not get you there, so use your specials.
- On timed levels, keep moving. A plain match now is often better than a perfect match found too late.
Deal with blockers early
Blockers are squares or pieces that get in your way. Jewel Quest was an early example, with buried relics that needed several matches to remove. Common types:
- Layers under pieces, such as ice or jelly. Make matches on top of them, often more than once.
- Locked pieces, which stay in place until you include them in a match.
- Crates and stones, which break when you match right next to them.
- Spreading blockers, which grow each turn you leave them alone. Clear these first.
Blockers in corners and along edges are hard to reach with normal matches, so aim special pieces at them.
Games to practice on
- Jewel Legend: swap colorful diamonds into chains of three or more. Matching four or more gives explosive power-ups.
- Tasty Jewel: a turn-based match-3 with jewel candies, where exploding pieces from matches of four or more crush blocks in your way.
- Juicy Match: a fruit match-3 where each level has a specific goal and a limited number of turns, with chain reactions for extra bonuses.
- Jelly Quest Mania: complete objectives before you run out of time or moves, and free locked jellies by making a match.
- Jewel Treasure: an adventure match-3 with levels to unlock, plus an endless mode with a decreasing timer.
More games are in the match-3 games category. If you like puzzles that reward planning ahead, the 2048 strategy guide uses similar thinking.
Frequently asked questions
Are match-3 games based on luck or skill?
Match-3 games mix both. New pieces that fall onto the board are random, so cascades and the pieces you get are partly luck. Skill decides how you use them: reading the goal, making special pieces, combining them and clearing blockers early. Good players win hard levels more often, but some attempts still fail on bad luck.
Why should you make matches at the bottom of the board?
A match near the bottom makes every piece above it fall, so more pieces move and new matches can form on their own. These cascades clear extra pieces without using a move. A match near the top moves few pieces and rarely starts a chain, so save top matches for goals placed high on the board.
What happens when you match five pieces in a row?
In most match-3 games, matching five pieces in a straight line creates a special piece that clears every piece of one color from the board. Swapping it with another special piece usually makes an even bigger effect. The exact result depends on the game, so check its tutorial or instructions.
How do you clear blockers in match-3 games?
Most blockers are cleared by making matches on top of them or right next to them, and some need several hits. Locked pieces open when you include them in a match. Spreading blockers should be cleared first, before they grow. Blockers in corners are easiest to remove with special pieces such as bombs or line-clearers.
