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Match 3 Game
Swap neighbouring gems to make lines of three or more on an 8 × 8 board. Chain cascades, create special gems and reach the target score before you run out of moves.
Last updated:
Level1
Moves20
Score / 10000
Level complete!
Swap two neighbouring gems to make a line of 3 or more.
Line gem match 4 in a row: clears a whole row or column
Bomb match in an L or T shape: clears a 3 × 3 area
Rainbow match 5 in a row: swap it with any gem to clear that colour
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How to use the Match 3 Game
- Swap two gems. Drag or swipe a gem onto a neighbour, or click one gem and then an adjacent one. The swap only counts if it makes a line of 3 or more of the same colour.
- Score and cascade. Matched gems disappear, the ones above fall down and new gems drop in. Matches made by falling gems are cascades and score more points each time.
- Make special gems. Match 4 in a row for a line gem, an L or T shape for a bomb and 5 in a row for a rainbow gem. Match or swap them to set them off.
- Reach the target. Each level gives you a number of moves. Score the target to pass, 1.5 times the target for 2 stars and double it for 3 stars.
- Stuck? Press Show hint to see a possible swap. If no moves remain, the board shuffles for free; you can also shuffle manually for one move.
Special gems and combos
| How to make it | Special gem | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 4 in a straight line | Line gem (striped) | Clears its entire row (horizontal stripes) or column (vertical stripes) |
| L or T shape (3 + 3) | Bomb (glowing) | Clears the 3 × 3 square around it |
| 5 in a straight line | Rainbow gem | Swap with any gem to clear all gems of that colour |
| Line gem + line gem | Cross | Clears one full row and one full column |
| Line gem + bomb | Big cross | Clears three rows and three columns |
| Bomb + bomb | Big blast | Clears a 5 × 5 area |
| Rainbow + line gem or bomb | Colour storm | Every gem of that colour becomes the special and goes off |
| Rainbow + rainbow | Board clear | Clears every gem on the board |
When a special gem is caught in another match or blast it goes off too, so one move can set off a long chain reaction.
Tips for higher scores
- Work from the bottom. Matches near the bottom of the board move more gems and cause more cascades than matches at the top.
- Look for 4s and 5s first. A special gem is worth far more than a plain match, so scan the board for longer lines and L shapes before taking the first match you see.
- Save specials for combos. Two special gems next to each other can be swapped together for a huge clear. A rainbow gem paired with a line gem is the strongest move in the game.
- Keep moves for the end. Once you pass the target score, every remaining move is a chance to earn the second and third star.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play a match 3 game?
Swap two neighbouring gems horizontally or vertically so that three or more gems of the same colour line up in a row or column. The matched gems are cleared, the gems above fall into the gaps and new gems fill the board from the top. A swap that makes no match is undone and does not use a move.
How do I make special gems?
Match four gems in a straight line to create a line gem, which clears its whole row (for a horizontal match) or column (for a vertical match) when it is matched. Match gems in an L or T shape to create a bomb that clears a 3 × 3 area. Match five in a row to create a rainbow gem.
What does the rainbow gem do?
Swap a rainbow gem with any neighbouring gem to clear every gem of that colour from the board. If you swap it with a line gem or bomb, every gem of that colour turns into that special first and then they all go off. Swapping two rainbow gems clears the whole board.
How is the score calculated?
Every cleared gem is worth 20 points multiplied by the cascade level: the first match in a move counts once, the next cascade twice, then three times and so on. Creating a line gem adds a 60 point bonus, a bomb 120 and a rainbow gem 200, also multiplied by the cascade level.
What happens when there are no moves left?
The game checks for possible moves after every turn. If none are left, the board is shuffled automatically without costing a move. You can also shuffle at any time for the cost of one move.
Is my progress saved?
Yes. Unlocked levels and the best number of stars for each level are stored in your browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is sent to a server and no account is needed.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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