[Help Thread] 3x3 Cross Help and Discussion

[holypasta]

solve cross on bottom.

practice solving cross blindfolded (you need to be able to memorize the cross algorithm during your examination time.)

look at the cross page on badmephisto's website.

 

[Vryon]

The Cross

Hi guys, i was wondering how to solve the cross faster, any idea ? i took 8 sec~ 10 sec to solve it

 

[amostay2004]

Watch badmephisto's tutorial on advanced cross.
But if you're averaging around 1min you don't have to worry bout it yet..just practise your F2L

 

[Lord Voldemort]

If you're already pretty good at recognizing the pieces and putting each edge in it's piece optimally, then look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_FbpdNRCQ - I figured most of that on my own, but it may be helpful

 

[Zarxrax]

I'm having trouble with my cross as well. My main trouble is I have difficulty visualizing how all the pieces will move, so I can't plan out the whole cross in my head. Even if I get 2 or 3 pieces planned out, it can still take me 8 seconds or so.

 

[Vryon]

I heard that people said the cross must be solve below 8 moves ?

 

[Ellis]

I heard that people said the cross must be solve below 8 moves ?

Must? You can do it with more moves if you'd like. I think 9 moves is the most moves that's necessary for any cross case (although rare), but it can usually be done in 5-6 moves on average.

 

[Kian]

I heard that people said the cross must be solve below 8 moves ?

Must? You can do it with more moves if you'd like. I think 9 moves is the most moves that's necessary for any cross case (although rare), but it can usually be done in 5-6 moves on average.

http://www.cubezone.be/crossstudy.html

 

[Odin]

http://badmephisto.dyndns.org/site/cross.php

That shoud help

 

[Ellis]

I heard that people said the cross must be solve below 8 moves ?

Must? You can do it with more moves if you'd like. I think 9 moves is the most moves that's necessary for any cross case (although rare), but it can usually be done in 5-6 moves on average.

http://www.cubezone.be/crossstudy.html

Ah okay yes, I stand corrected. 8 is the most, and extremely rare.

 

[ThatGuy]

first off, you should be color neutral. If you just started make yourself be comfortable with every color, just not (white i'm guessing) this will open your ease of the least amount of moves for the cross. Next, learn to do your cross with your eyes closed. your cross should be just from memory, so spend some time on just cross solving.

 

[Ellis]

first off, you should be color neutral. If you just started make yourself be comfortable with every color, just not (white i'm guessing) this will open your ease of the least amount of moves for the cross.

Is that really a good idea? It saves a total of 1 move on average, and in return you get harder recognition, at least harder to get used to. 1 move is nothing, and thats assuming that you're finding the best cross.

 

[shicklegroober]

Yeah I'm quite new here, and to cubing, but being color-neutral seems like more work for less reward (if any). Recognition during F2L is difficult enough to master when only being a single color cross solver, I would rec. sticking to one color

 

[Odin]

first off, you should be color neutral. If you just started make yourself be comfortable with every color, just not (white i'm guessing) this will open your ease of the least amount of moves for the cross.

Is that really a good idea? It saves a total of 1 move on average, and in return you get harder recognition, at least harder to get used to. 1 move is nothing, and thats assuming that you're finding the best cross.

One move is everything. 1 move can be the difference of a WR or just a "ok" solve.

 

[Ellis]

One move is everything. 1 move can be the difference of a WR or just a "ok" solve.

Total lie.

 

[Odin]

One move is everything. 1 move can be the difference of a WR or just a "ok" solve.

Total lie.

Not even! Well maybe I’m over exaggerating about the ""Ok" solve" part, but 1 move matters.

 

[Ellis]

One move is everything. 1 move can be the difference of a WR or just a "ok" solve.

Total lie.

Not even! Well maybe I’m over exaggerating about the ""Ok" solve" part, but 1 move matters.

mmm you turn slow then. And its not worth it when you can't recognize things as quickly.

 

[JL58]

I agree with Ellis. When one takes 8 seconds to do the cross we are not talking WR here. I don't think being color agnostic will make a difference at this point, except create more confusion. No disrespect to thatguy, obviously, but I have not found a video of Erik not using a white or yellow cross... Facts don't support our statement. Also if move count really mattered CFOP/Fridrich would not be so popular. Recognition is essential.

Back to the topic.
You really need to plan for your cross completion during inspection (which means looking ahead 6 to 8 moves) Train just on the cross. Scramble, plan the cross, do it your eyes closed. Again. And again.

This has been discussed many times on this forum by the way. You might want to use the search function.

Now, the way I improved is by decreasing the time between the cross and the first pair. I always start the first pair with the cube in a known position (yellow up, cross on white, red in front). Always, no exception. It might mean that the cross takes a few more moves to predict that position more easily (9 at the most). This allows me to focus my eyes on the first pair and anticipate its sequencing as I finish the cross. As I identify the pair, I already know where it goes. I hope this helps.

 

[ThatGuy]

i've noticed that if i try to solve a white cross every time, there are some times where i can solve the cross in 2 sec but other times when i have to solve the cross in 8 sec. An besides, cross it much different from f2l because you can't solve a cross without cube rotations, (Back, Down, front, and normal rotations) so one move on average will save you a lot of time.

 

[Ellis]

cross it much different from f2l because you can't solve a cross without cube rotations, (Back, Down, front, and normal rotations) so one move on average will save you a lot of time.

I disagree. I can solve cross without rotations more than I can F2L. Being opposite neutral can help take care of bad cross cases, and the F2L recognition is virtually the same. I still think being fully color neutral with fridrich is just not necessary or all that helpful. The reward you get is not worth the effort.