Count connections, not the total number of a color
A clear requires a connected group of at least three blocks of the same color. Three blue blocks scattered around the hexagon do not form a match simply because you can see all three.
The local game checks neighbors along a side’s stack and across adjacent sides at the same stack level. A diagonal offset between neighboring sides is not a direct connection. Another matching block can still connect them through a longer path.
Three illustrative arrangements
- One side, three consecutive blue blocks: they form a connected group.
- Two consecutive blue blocks on one side, plus a blue at a matching level on the next side: the neighboring block can join the pair.
- One blue on each of three separated sides, with other colors between: there is no connecting path, so their shared color alone is insufficient.
These are rule examples, not reconstructed screenshots. When inspecting a live stack, follow the chain block by block instead of assuming that a roughly similar visual height always means the same stack level.
Rotation changes the landing choice
Turning the center carries the existing stacks around with it. It does not rearrange the order of blocks within a stack or reconnect scattered colors by itself. The useful decision is which stack will receive an incoming block.
Look for a landing that completes a connected pair. Check the height of that destination before committing: a distant match is of little help if another imminent block reaches a dangerous stack first.
Diagnose a match that did not happen
Ask three questions: Were the blocks actually the same color? Was there a continuous allowed connection? Had the incoming block landed? Then inspect any intervening block that broke the chain.
Our recorded session shows a clear and a later score of 9, with mixed stacks still remaining. It does not show that every visible matching color cleared. Continue with stack control to decide when matching should give way to protecting space.
Try the next run
Use one idea from this guide in the Hextris player. Its game page includes controls and edition/source details.