Mouse
- Click-and-drag (or click two tiles): swap adjacent tiles
- Tap special tile/power-up (if supported)
- Undo (often not allowed) / Restart buttons (if provided)
Overview 
Match-3
매치3
Swap adjacent tiles to make lines of 3+ and trigger satisfying cascades.
Fast, bright, and endlessly replayable—simple moves, deep combo planning.
PuzzleCasualTile-matching
Goal & Core Rules
Complete the level objective (score, clear targets, remove blockers, etc.) by making matches of three or more identical tiles.
- Swap two adjacent tiles; the swap is valid if it creates a match of 3+ in a row or column.
- Matched tiles disappear and new tiles fall in, often creating cascades (chain reactions).
- Matches of 4+ often create special tiles/power-ups (rules vary by implementation).
- Levels may limit moves or time, and may include blockers or special goals (implementation-dependent).
Controls
Keyboard
- Arrow keys: move focus (if supported)
- Space/Enter: select & swap (if supported)
Touch
- Swipe between two adjacent tiles: swap
- Tap special tiles/power-ups (if supported)
- Restart button (if provided)
Beginner Tips
- Look for obvious 4-in-a-row opportunities—they often create power-ups.
- Make matches near the bottom to trigger longer cascades.
- When stuck, prioritize moves that create new opportunities rather than tiny points.
Advanced Tips
- Plan two-step setups: create a power-up, then immediately combine it with another match.
- Learn the board’s bottlenecks (blockers, narrow columns) and clear them early.
- If your version has objectives, play for the objective—not the score.
Origins & History
Match-3 is a subgenre of tile-matching puzzle games where players swap pieces to form groups of three. Wikipedia notes that PopCap’s Bejeweled began as a browser game (originally titled ‘Diamond Mine’) in 2000 and is credited with popularizing match-three games; later hits such as Candy Crush Saga (released in 2012) brought the format to a massive mobile audience.
Timeline
- 2000 Bejeweled begins as the browser game ‘Diamond Mine’ and is released under the Bejeweled name (PopCap).
- 2012 Candy Crush Saga launches on Facebook (Apr 12, 2012), helping popularize match-3 on mobile and social platforms.
FAQ
What makes a swap ‘valid’?
Typically, the swap must immediately create a match of 3 or more in a line; otherwise the tiles swap back.
Why do matches at the bottom feel stronger?
Clearing low tiles causes more pieces to fall, increasing the chance of cascades.
How do I improve quickly?
Practice spotting 4+ matches (power-ups) and planning simple combo follow-ups.