Question(s) about the 4th centre of the 4x4x4

[Robert-Y]

When you are solving the fourth centre, is it better to solve the centre which is opposite to the third centre or one of the two centres adjacent to the third centre? Or perhaps it doesn't matter at all?

I do the latter, however some fast 4x4x4 cubers (e.g. Syuhei) do the former.

 

[kickinwing2112]

personally i prefer to solve adjacent to the third only because I think it helps me to solve the last 2 easier. It is easier to see which case you have.

 

[Ellis]

You're faster than me, but I do the center adjacent to third. I never saw any reason to do the opposite one. Maybe I'm missing something?

 

[Robert-Y]

You're faster than me, but I do the center adjacent to third. I never saw any reason to do the opposite one. Maybe I'm missing something?

Yeah, same with me.

 

[Ellis]

I think I misread. I had it mixed around and thought you did the opposite center. Yea, it's something I never understood.

 

[Sa967St]

personally i prefer to solve adjacent to the third only because I think it helps me to solve the last 2 easier. It is easier to see which case you have.

same here, I think the last 2 centres can be done faster when they're adjascent

 

[Lucas Garron]

They're normally solved exactly the same, except that adjacent centers last are easier to see at once, and don't require half-turns for switching between faces.
It's one of the few choices in cubing where one option is completely better (as far as most speedsolvers are concerned.)

 

[Paul Wagner]

I do whichever is faster

 

[mcciff2112]

I do whichever is faster

Me too. Though I do tend to stay away from leaving the last two opposite each other on the cube, then its just a pain.

 

[Stefan]

They're normally solved exactly the same, except that adjacent centers last are easier to see at once, and don't require half-turns for switching between faces.
It's one of the few choices in cubing where one option is completely better (as far as most speedsolvers are concerned.)

Completely? I think when you're left with three centers to solve, the middle one is easiest/fastest to solve next. All of its pieces are at most one side away, whereas if you solve one of the other two centers, their pieces can be on the opposite side of the cube and you might need double turns for your fourth center.

 

[amostay2004]

They're normally solved exactly the same, except that adjacent centers last are easier to see at once, and don't require half-turns for switching between faces.
It's one of the few choices in cubing where one option is completely better (as far as most speedsolvers are concerned.)

Completely? I think when you're left with three centers to solve, the middle one is easiest/fastest to solve next. All of its pieces are at most one side away, whereas if you solve one of the other two centers, their pieces can be on the opposite side of the cube and you might need double turns for your fourth center.

True, that's why I do opposite centres last. But maybe I should try finishing with 2 adjacent centres..I've tried a couple times, but I'm not used to determining the colour scheme when I'm at the second of the four centres left.

Both have their pros and cons

 

[Lucas Garron]

They're normally solved exactly the same, except that adjacent centers last are easier to see at once, and don't require half-turns for switching between faces.
It's one of the few choices in cubing where one option is completely better (as far as most speedsolvers are concerned.)

Completely? I think when you're left with three centers to solve, the middle one is easiest/fastest to solve next. All of its pieces are at most one side away, whereas if you solve one of the other two centers, their pieces can be on the opposite side of the cube and you might need double turns for your fourth center.

Hmm, I was pretty sure the few potential half-turns on center 3 should save you more moves than opp-last centers gain most of the time. Now, I wanna see statistics and consider reevaluating my choice.

 

[trying-to-speedcube...]

Well... Opposite last 2 centers requires less moves, and you have more freedom (you could do Rw2, but also Fw2, assuming they're on U and D.

But recognition is worse, and it's harder to tell which center goes where. Personally I do adjacent, but I don't think opposite is so much worse.