Almost didn't play death mode since last year carnival when I broke the Gm thanks to two advices I'm going to share with you. For me, there is TWO major mistakes that will make the difference. Those two mistakes, you must not do if you want to increase your chances to become a master and a Grand master. Well, at least it worked for me It isn't about stacking, tetrising, double tapping, trying difficult moves or so on. It's all about psychology and the state of mind you need to enter before playing. 1: Do not think about what you are doing. NEVER. Your hands are playing tetris, your subconscious is playing tetris but you, you my dear fellow, you are doing nothing. You are just watching at the screen with a totally empty mind and only focusing on one thing: do not start thinking about what your hands are doing. I broke Gm because I managed once to empty totally my mind (which was the hardest part for me because I always had big problem focusing fully on anything) 2 comes from 1: do not change your mind on a single tetromino placement. Never Ever. Your hands placed a tetromino in an absurd way ? You want to change it's place by retaking control of what's going on on the screen and not letting your subconscious decide for you ? This will end in three or four misdrops in a raw. And of course, the faster the game is getting, the harder it will be for you to change your mind. I can change my mind while playing until level 399 without having too much risk to misstack completely. But I never do so because I realised that I get better scores if I don't. That's it. Keep on stackin !
In case of trouble force yourself to make cleaner stacks. Silver sk may be a good middle term goal. Tiredness *will* alter your play. this is zombie training and has already debated many times. When I enter this state i give myself one simpler goal and I stop (e.g. 1 more M and stop). Stopping is the hardest part but you really should to avoid hours of nightmare (or maybe it is the spirit of the carnival )
Good advice cyberguile. I'm just getting back into it now after many years and I remember the truth of what you're saying. I used to (and am starting to again) use Tetris as a stress reliever - just let the subconscious take over and let the conscious mind wander. I used to do the same thing with Unreal Tournament actually for the same reasons.
I think rather than subconscious play, it's really just playing on the right side of your brain. In the book from 'drawing on the right side of the brain', you're instructed that drawing on the left side is what most people do, and why they can't draw, but anyone can learn to draw if they use the right side of their brain. It goes on about techniques to do so, with some exercises. I've experienced this while playing Tetris, and other games, and I think it's very much like drawing. The book could be something to look at if you're trying to switch to that 'mode', or are having trouble doing so.
That's an interesting idea simonic. I wonder if developing the right-brain more would increase Tetris performance. It certainly couldn't hurt (especially for me, I'm very left-brain dominant I think).
I appreciate the topic. I've been blogging and analyzing my play for a couple of months, and this very idea is what's getting in my way right now. All of my analysis (as simple as it can sometimes be) has helped, but I can't pull my head out of "thinking" while I'm playing. It's completely self-destructive. There's really not much I will add, but I agree whole-heartedly. Do not plan, do not change your mind, do not hesitate. Seeing yourself as an observer is spot-on. That's all you are: an instrument of tetromino destruction. Sit back and enjoy the show. I often say that even with some post-game analysis, the goal is to not think. That damned thinking is getting in my way so much, I'm stepping away for a week...or more. The suggestions of looking for ways to tap into your right side might be how I spend my time away from Tetris.
Two things I've learned that have helped me: One is to play at lower speeds and be super-analytical about every piece to develop good instincts. The other is to do the opposite - play at very fast speeds and just think about something else while you play over and over again as you try to use those good instincts at higher speeds. I think music (without lyrics) tends to help me get into the "zone" faster. Movie and video game soundtracks seem to work the best.
