2x2x2 efficiency

[vlarsen]

I am still using a layer by layer method. Sometimes I can get one layer set up real quick (3-4 moves) but sometimes I just can't figure out how to do it other than one piece at a time. This can waste 10+ seconds just trying to get the first layer in place. So far, I solve pretty color neutral and just look for a side which seems almost solved. Does anybody have some nice tricks to reduce move count on the first layer, or is there an explination somewhere that I haven't found yet? Maybe there is something like CubeExplorer for a 2x2x2 so I can see some efficient solving of one layer and learn the tricks myselrf.

 

[ExoCorsair]

I'll give an example:

Scramble: F L2 B D' B' R2 U2 B' R' U2 B' R2 F' D2 R2 U B2 D B L2 D2 F' L' F' U2
White on top, solving for white layer:

z' x' R' U R U' R2

Try building bars and connecting them together, instead of piece by piece. You might also want to consider switching to Ortega, since you don't need to keep the first layer permuted then.

As for a program: http://www.speedcubing.com/CubeSolver/MiniCubeSolver.html

 

[vlarsen]

Thanks for the example. I've got a long term plan which compensates for my slow algorithm learning.

I will use a layer by layer method (Layer by layer method 1 off of Erik's site) until I learn all of the algorithms for "orienting bottom corners" as Erik puts it (even though they are on top). I still have 2 more to learn, but I use sune twice to solve them now.

After I get all these down, I will start learning Ortega and focusing on the new finishing algorithms. Right now it wouldn't be possible for me to learn both sets of algos at the same time. But this jump to Ortega will only be after I have put in a lot of practice with the layer by layer method, am really good at putting together a first layer, and average 10 seconds about.

After Ortega is learned and fast, I might look at Guimond.

 

[vlarsen]

Does anybody know how many moves maximum it would take to solve 1 layer completely?

 

[AvGalen]

vlarsen: I am asuming you already know Corner OLL (7 algs) and Corner PLL (3 algs). In that case Ortega requires only 3 new algorithms!

(0 bars, 1 bar, 2 bars)

 

[Kenneth]

To learn full Ortega takes about 1-2 days if you are an experienced cuber (most algs are short and easy to remember). For a beginner I say a week to fully learn.

It's so easy, 7 OLL and 5 permutations.

And after that you learn to do Ortega step II + III in one go, it's only 163 cases

 

[Johannes91]

Corner PLL (3 algs)

Just 2.

 

[masterofthebass]

Corner PLL (3 algs)

Just 2.

There's 2 As, and an E. For the 2x2 there aren't that many cases, but he was referring, I think, to the 3x3 cases for 4 LLL

 

[vlarsen]

To learn full Ortega takes about 1-2 days if you are an experienced cuber (most algs are short and easy to remember). For a beginner I say a week to fully learn.

Hey now, watch what assumptions you make. I already mentioned that it takes me a long time to learn new moves. I've been working at it for about a week, and actually don't have all the Corner OLL algorithms learned yet. For some of them I'm using what I use on the 3x3x3, but that takes longer to execute. I'm definitely going to learn Ortega, but I see that happening after I get home for the holidays, and not during finals week.