How to play Color Lines
Click a ball to pick it up, then click an empty cell to roll it there. A ball can only roll up, down, left and right through empty cells, so it can't jump over other balls. Line up five or more balls of one colour across, down or diagonally to clear them and move again. Otherwise three new balls drop in, in the colours shown under NEXT. Longer lines score far more: 5 balls make 10 points, 6 make 24, 7 make 42. The game ends when the board fills up. Press Escape to put a ball back.
Scoring
Only lines of five or more score, and longer lines score far more per ball: 5 balls make 10 points, 6 make 24, 7 make 42, 8 make 64 and 9 make 90. A long line is worth the risk while the board is open, but not once it starts to fill.
Tips and strategy
- Keep the middle of the board open. A ball can only roll through empty cells, so a crowded centre cuts the board into pieces that balls can't cross.
- Give each colour its own area, and build several lines at once so most moves have a chance to clear.
- Check the NEXT balls before you move. Three of them land on random cells after every move that doesn't clear a line, so clearing a line is also the only way to stop the board filling.
- Don't wall off a corner. Balls trapped in a closed-off pocket are very hard to use again.
- When the board is nearly full, clear any line you can, even a short one.