What is a cascade in Match 3?

When gems falling to fill cleared spaces form new matches by themselves, clearing again without another move from you. Cascades score bonus points and are the main source of high scores.

Why should I match at the bottom of the board?

Because everything above a cleared space falls into it, so low matches disturb far more of the grid and are much more likely to trigger cascades.

Can you run out of moves?

If no legal swap creates a match, the board is reshuffled. On levels with a move limit, running out of moves ends the level.

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Match 3

Score

Moves

Match 3 fills a grid with coloured gems. Swapping two adjacent gems is legal only if it creates a line of three or more of one colour, which clears them and drops new gems in from above.

Those falling gems are where the game gets interesting, because they frequently form new matches on their own. A well-chosen swap can set off a cascade worth several times the original clear.

How to play

Swap two adjacent gems to line up three or more of the same colour.
Matched gems clear and the ones above fall down to fill the gaps.
Cascading matches formed by falling gems score bonus points automatically.
Work toward the level objective before your moves run out.

Playing for cascades

Look for matches near the bottom of the grid. Clearing low drops everything above it and creates far more cascade opportunities than clearing at the top.
Scan the whole board before moving. The first match you notice is rarely the most productive one available.
Prefer matches of four or five where the format rewards them with special gems, rather than taking a plain three.
Do not make a match simply because it exists. On levels with limited moves, a wasted swap is the most expensive mistake there is.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cascade in Match 3?: When gems falling to fill cleared spaces form new matches by themselves, clearing again without another move from you. Cascades score bonus points and are the main source of high scores.
Why should I match at the bottom of the board?: Because everything above a cleared space falls into it, so low matches disturb far more of the grid and are much more likely to trigger cascades.
Can you run out of moves?: If no legal swap creates a match, the board is reshuffled. On levels with a move limit, running out of moves ends the level.