Bilge scoring

Basic points
Points in bilge are earned by making clears. The basic score is based on length of the clear:
 * Length 3 = 3 points
 * Length 4 = 5 points
 * Length 5 = 7 points

Combo factor
The multiplier for combos depends on the star level. At low star levels, combos do not score high multiples (combos are easy to get).

At the 7 star level (all 7 pieces, all 3 critters), the score multiple is
 * NxN (double): 2 times
 * NxNxN (bingo): 3 times
 * Sea Donkey: At least 4 times, possibly 5 times.
 * Vegas: At least 5 times, possibly 6 or 7 times.

Chain factor
Chains (secondary clears as the bilge empties) score a reduced amount. Since the size of the text ("Super" and "Bonus") stays about the same no matter how many blocks are cleared on these secondaries, the score is not believed to be large; in particular, the secondary clear of a bingo does not get a large text the way that the normal bingo or combo does. Based on this, secondary clears are estimated to produce no more than one point per block cleared.

Unknowns
Value of crabs. It is known to depend on the height of the water, not the height of the crab when cleared; the exact amount is not known.

Sample effective scores
All of these ignore chains.

Scoring a 3 block clear every move will score 3 points per turn, and is the base "100%" efficiency.

Scoring a 3x3 every third turn will score 12 points (3 points per "3", two threes is 6 points, the *2 factor for a NxN combo) will score 4 points per turn, for 133% efficiency.

Scoring a 3x3 every two moves will score 6 points per turn (200%); it is not clear if any actual bilger can maintain this.

Scoring a 3x4 is worth (3 + 5) * 2 = 16. Doing this every four turns scores as much as a 3x3 every three turns.

For bingos, a 3x3x3 is worth 27 points; 6 turns to set one up is worth 4.5 points per turn. Note that most high-end bilgers will consider 6 turns to be too long for a bingo to be worth it. This is 150% efficiency, and should be taken as a minimum target level for someone trying for high-end bilging.

A 3x3x3 in 4 turns is worth 6.75 points per turn.

For Sea Donkeys, a 3x3x3x3 is worth at least 48 to 60 points. 9 turns to set one up is at least 5.333 points per turn. 7 turns is at least 6.85 points per turn.

Notes on scores and indicator
Although it varies by ocean, a sparkly indicator generally requires an average of at least 4 per turn.

(Point per move = ppm)

It is better to get a 3*3 in 2 moves (6ppm) than a 3*4 in 3 turns (5,33ppm)

It is better to get a 3*4 in 2 moves (8ppm) than a 3*5 in 3 turns (6,66ppm)

It is better to get a 3*4 in 2 moves (8ppm) than a 4*4 in 3 turns (6,66ppm)

It is better to get a 3*3*3 in 4 moves (6,75ppm) than a 3*3 in 2 turns (6ppm) but not in 5 moves (5,54ppm)

As a conclusion, you can notice that it is better to work on the combo (3*3,3*3*3) than on the size of the block because using a move to improve a block is less efficient than breaking the smaller block now. However, using 2 moves to get a tripple instead of a double is a great idea.