There doesn't seem to be any rules against or for the use of this glitch on the srcom leaderboards... So is the use of this glitch allowed or not for speedruns? And if it is, does the timing start when you start the game where you get the 4 lines, or does it start on the game where you setup the glitch (in which case it's not worth it)

I'd assume it's not allowed cause it's banned on other places like the tetrisconcept's point leaderboard. Just want to make sure though

Edit: Here's a video of the glitch if you aren't sure of what I meant:

I am not a mod but I would also assume this glitch is banned. It kind of cheapens the run, don't you think? I believe it is banned at CTWC, not that that makes any difference here, but worth noting.

In terms of speedrunning, I actually wouldn't be against the glitch. Even though it's a score category, this is still a speedrun site after all, and glitches are part of that. I'd leave it up to the mods too, but I'm not against it.

I would never bother going for it, though. Sitting around waiting for the demo to get the Tetris every time before a run isn't fun.

That's an interesting point I didn't consider. But there is no input, it's just waiting. Technically skipping to Level 18 is an input and that's allowed. I wonder if there are any other examples of runs that allow an event to happen before timing starts - sort of like locking in a seed waiting for music - of course you'd have to show the demo happening and all.

Surely not directly comparable but in Super Monkey Ball, in order to reduce load time at the start, the first level is loaded in Practice mode before menuing over to start the actual run. An example can be seen at the start here https://www.speedrun.com/supermonkeyball/run/yl96j52y

An example in a more related game, Dr. Mario for NES, determines piece sequence based on the frame you start the game. This can essentially eliminate the randomness of the run. Some discussion can be found here https://www.speedrun.com/drmariones/thread/derds

Sorry for the late response. I'd personally think it's a silly glitch in a way. I understand that glitches are big in speedrunning, but it seems different to me in this circumstance. Anyway, I'm certainly not the only mod, and even though I'd lean towards a ban personally I'd be curious as to what others think.

For what it's worth (although I don't run the game), I'd be in favor of a ban considering the precedent (banning it in score attacks and tournament play). It doesn't change the state of the game beyond shortening the run, at the cost of spending more time setting up the glitch. If we assume that the glitch would be allowed, I can only imagine it'll be a point of annoyance for runners to have to set up the glitch between resets, just for the sake of a measly ~10 piece head start. It would also heighten the bar for entry somewhat because it's no longer so simple as to just start the game and play in order to grab those free few seconds.

If theres preperation needed there can not be a fair leaderboard for both glitched and vanilla runs. So the only possible choice to keep it fair woule be to either add the preperation time to the completion time or add a new leaderboard where the glitch is allowed. It's a bit like a newgame+ situation where you get an advantage by doing something with the game before the run starts. Please use it since glitches are fun but also please keep it fair.

(Late to the party, I know.)

I don't see anything wrong with using this glitch. At least in my opinion, it's the same as SMB players waiting a certain amount of time before they start the game to get better enemy patterns.

My personal thoughts are that it should be banned/not allowed from the current categories. While I can certainly see the argument that as a speedrun, anything that lets you complete the game faster should be allowable; I'm not sure that this glitch is comparable to SMB timing.

The 100 line categories are just that, clear 100 lines. This glitch shortens the game to 96 lines (plus the 4 previously cleared lines from the prior attempt). The time delay at the start of SMB also does not shorten the existing speedrun in any manner (i.e. still have to clear 8 levels). I think a more analogous example would be if there was a glitch in SMB that ended the game in 8-3 and not 8-4.

Anyways, this is just my opinion and while I would say a firm no to adding this to the current runs, I think whether or not another category should be added is debatable.

I was thinking this would only pertain to the 300K category; wasn't thinking it would be used for 100 lines categories. Sounds like the rule should specify not allowed based on the consensus so far.

It shouldn't, because of you've ever played SMB, then you'd know that in order to get BBG, you have to wait on the title screen. Imo, this is totally fine.

Yes but the problem is, this glitch lets you start the game with free points, meaning you don't actually have to gain 300K to finish the run. I think it really just makes it seem kinda lame to be able to use it. It's already an arbitrary number that we are trying to achieve, why use a glitch to gain an advantage on times that are already posted?

And again, this is banned from use in tournaments and such, for what I assume is the same reason.

The glitch isn't generally accepted by the Classic Tetris community in any competition or leaderboard (for example the score leaderboard on TetrisConcept), so it would make sense not to allow it here.