Older cubers discussions

[SpartanSailor]

There are definitely benefits to having solid images that you can reuse for a given pair. Certainly in terms of speed...

Right now most of my letter pairs usually end up with the same “idea” or image or name of a person I know or .... whathaveyou

 

[SpartanSailor]

@Old Tom
Think of it this way.... they give you 10 minutes to solve the 3x3. If you take all 10, then you’ll get 50 minutes of solving at the competition. That way you get your money’s worth!

 

[Mike Hughey]

@Old Tom

Do make sure you do plenty of timed practice over the next few days. I've definitely seen people freeze up at competitions and wind up frustrated with themselves, but if you can do a bunch of timed solves before you compete, it can really help because you'll know you can really do this.

Also, do you have a stackmat? If not, be sure to at least watch some videos to understand how a stackmat works, and to understand how to compete. The more you're familiar with what the process is like, the more you can just relax and solve the cube without worrying about all the side details. If you're familiar with the process, it really is as easy as solving it at home.

Make sure you at least watch this video - it should be a big help to knowing what to expect:

 

[SpartanSailor]

@Old Tom

Do make sure you do plenty of timed practice over the next few days. I've definitely seen people freeze up at competitions and wind up frustrated with themselves, but if you can do a bunch of timed solves before you compete, it can really help because you'll know you can really do this.

Also, do you have a stackmat? If not, be sure to at least watch some videos to understand how a stackmat works, and to understand how to compete. The more you're familiar with what the process is like, the more you can just relax and solve the cube without worrying about all the side details. If you're familiar with the process, it really is as easy as solving it at home.

Make sure you at least watch this video - it should be a big help to knowing what to expect:

Good point about the process. They usually have a new competitor tutorial in the morning, but I’ll be more than happy to explain it all to you as well or be sure you understand. I’ll bring my stack mat timer (always do) so you can practice that bit as well before your official solves. If you want, that is...

 

[pglewis]

Looking forward to you two meeting up! Just remember: POIDH

 

[Mike Hughey]

Looking forward to you two meeting up! Just remember: POIDH

Agreed - I want to see pictures (or video!). I'm so sad I can't be in my old hometown for this. :-( (I've competed in several chess tournaments in Fredericksburg - many years ago - but never cubing.)

 

[Old Tom]

@Old Tom
Think of it this way.... they give you 10 minutes to solve the 3x3. If you take all 10, then you’ll get 50 minutes of solving at the competition. That way you get your money’s worth!

That, plus 5x15 seconds of inspection. Deal!

 

[Old Tom]

@Mike Hughey. Will watch. Thx.

 

[Old Tom]

Good point about the process. They usually have a new competitor tutorial in the morning, but I’ll be more than happy to explain it all to you as well or be sure you understand. I’ll bring my stack mat timer (always do) so you can practice that bit as well before your official solves. If you want, that is...

Don't bother bringing the timer. I will watch the videos. My best clocked times so far are only in low two minutes, so a couple extra seconds here or there won't matter. The main hitch is I may mess up when almost there and then lose tons of time recovering.

Mainly, I am thinking clearly and enjoying it without the clock, but frazzled with it. That's a matter of practice, I'm sure.

 

[Mike Hughey]

I'm sure he will bring his timer no matter what - I always bring mine so I can practice; I'm sure he's the same.

Do take advantage of a chance to practice with the timer. Those things can be finicky sometimes for a new user and it's good to practice using one for a bit before actually doing your official solves. Nothing more frustrating than having a good solve, only to find out you DNFed because of a timer problem.

It's really not that hard, so I hope I'm not scaring you by recommending that you practice - odds are it will go completely fine. But I've seen a number of new competitors (especially older competitors like us) get flustered by the hardware and lose their train of thought, so I'm trying to make sure you take advantage of the chance to practice if you can - it will likely make your day much more enjoyable, since you'll have confidence when you step up for your official solves. I just want to do all I can to make sure you have a great day!

 

[pglewis]

My best clocked times so far are only in low two minutes, so a couple extra seconds here or there won't matter.

Anything under 10 mins will make you #2 in the 80+ category in the oldies list, at your first comp. I thought that was the main advantage of making it as far as you have: no peer pressure .

I agree with @Mike Hughey, practicing with the Stackmat just to be familiar with it. They're amazingly portable and fun anyway.

 

[Mike Hughey]

Anything under 10 mins will make you #2 in the 80+ category in the oldies list, at your first comp.

Actually, won't it make him #3? There's Rune and Hideaki, both of whom had lots of experience solving even before their first official competition. Both, by the way, are well-known and respected members of the cubing community; Hideaki even has several successful BLD solves.

 

[pglewis]

Actually, won't it make him #3? There's Rune and Hideaki, both of whom had lots of experience solving even before their first official competition. Both, by the way, are well-known and respected members of the cubing community; Hideaki even has several successful BLD solves.

That's what I thought too, but double-checking it says Rune was 79 on his last official solve. Now that I think of it, he's probably one of those that haven't provided a DOB, so it may list him a year younger than actual at the time.

 

[Mike Hughey]

That's what I thought too, but double-checking it says Rune was 79 on his last official solve. Now that I think of it, he's probably one of those that haven't provided a DOB, so it may list him a year younger than actual at the time.

Oh, oops - I forgot about that detail. You're right! So he would be #2.

 

[openseas]

That, plus 5x15 seconds of inspection. Deal!

Technically, you can use 16 seconds inspection if you don’t mind +2 penalty

 

[pglewis]

Oh, oops - I forgot about that detail. You're right! So he would be #2.

Though, I believe if Rune was actually 80 at the time it should be updated... that's a well deserved milestone.

 

[Old Tom]

Actually, won't it make him #3? There's Rune and Hideaki, both of whom had lots of experience solving even before their first official competition. Both, by the way, are well-known and respected members of the cubing community; Hideaki even has several successful BLD solves.

Oh, so much pressure! ;( Actually, pressure is still fun, even at my age.

 

[SpartanSailor]

I'm sure he will bring his timer no matter what - I always bring mine so I can practice; I'm sure he's the same.

Yep. I’ll bring it anyway. My son also likes to use it when he practices... It’s just part of the competition “kit” that we always grab on the way out the door.

 

[Old Tom]

@SpartanSailor: Re the new competitor tutorial. I will probably skip that. As I told you all, I've been deaf (profoundly) since I was a kid. What I always do is bone up beforehand, that video will help. It has captions! The first version, the captions were in French! But I found an English version. All is good!

You did say you know a bit of sign language. That's a plus, but I may be able to lipread you also. All part of the adventure!

 

[pglewis]

Really really wanted a successful 2/2 today:

1/2, 15:02. Off by a 3-cycle on edges, I think I forgot to reverse an M slice alg
1/2, 13:58. Swapped a pair of edges on the M slice (deja vu)
1/2, 18:40. Off by 3 cycle on edges