[Help Thread] Algorithm Memorization Discussion

Hello and help on cross and memorization.

Hi, I'm Richard. I'm new on this forum and I already like it. Well I used to sub 60 with Dan Brown's method 2 years ago. I stopped and learned how to solve the rubik's cube with intuitive f2l, 2look oll and 2look pll again just a week ago. I sub 60 and sub 50 if I'm lucky. Well I have noticed that it takes my 10 seconds avg to get the cross. Is there a way to improve this???? I also want to start learning full OLL and PLL. Should I start memorizing OLL's or PLL's first??? How do you memorize them. (redoing the alg in front of the computer until muscle memory, remembering the notation, etc.) Thank You ;)
 
RichardYang said:
Hi, I'm Richard. I'm new on this forum and I already like it. Well I used to sub 60 with Dan Brown's method 2 years ago. I stopped and learned how to solve the rubik's cube with intuitive f2l, 2look oll and 2look pll again just a week ago. I sub 60 and sub 50 if I'm lucky. Well I have noticed that it takes my 10 seconds avg to get the cross. Is there a way to improve this???? I also want to start learning full OLL and PLL. Should I start memorizing OLL's or PLL's first??? How do you memorize them. (redoing the alg in front of the computer until muscle memory, remembering the notation, etc.) Thank You ;)
Click to expand...

Hi richard, welcome to SS. 10 seconds is a lengthy time to spend on cross, but there are many ways you can start to improve this. First read this

http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/cross/cross

read things over if you need to until you actually start understanding it, can figure out why it's important in speed solves.

try practicing cross blindfolded. take as long to inspect as you need, and start trying to memorize atleast 2-3 of the cross peices and then execute it blindfolded/eyes closed. After you get comfortable with that start practicing the entire cross blindfolded.

Try to figure out how to make a "bad" (disoriented) cross edge "good" while putting another piece in. Also, start solving cross relatively, that is, (assuming you solve white cross) don't worry about having the red cross piece lined up with the red center, just make sure the other ones are solved relative to eachother, then line them all up with a D move at the end (note: this isn't necessarily the best option always, but often times is)

All of that assumed you do cross on bottom, and if you don't I would consider switching soon. Cross on left is also a good option, though less cubers use it.

In terms of OLL/PLL, most people recommend learning PLL first. The algs are longer, and some of them are less than finger-friendly, but they will help your times more than OLL will. I would recommend that while learning algs, do as much of the alg as you can without reading the notation off, until you can do the entire thing from memory. Then keep practicing until it feels natural and you can execute it fluently and without major pauses/thinking.

I would recommend learning algs like H and Z if you don't already know them, then move on to T, J, and then maybe the Gs. Don't hesitate to try multiple algs for the same case as for many PLLs there exist more than one good alg, depending on your turning style.

Good luck, keep practicing, your times will keep getting quicker.
 
Thank you for your informative answer. I know A, U, H, T, J, Y, T, Z, E. I'm having trouble memorizing V, F, N, and G.
 
Welcome to the forums! I think many of your questions have been answered well already, so I'll just add that this tutorial can be very helpful in learning to solve the cross efficiently:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_FbpdNRCQ

It covers many of the areas Rpotts talked about. Additionally, this tutorial by the same guy could help you transition to solving the cross on the bottom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTydBg21aaw

Good luck, and welcome to the community.
 
Memorizing Algorithms

Just wondering what methods everyone uses to memorize them.

Like do you just do it over and over until you get it, or what?

You as in yourself. I know there is no specific method that every person uses.
 
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I try to split some parts of the algorithm up into triggers such as (R U R' U') or something along those lines.

another way i like to also do is to see what it does to the cube, aka track peices and what the algorithm does involving moving them around. i find this way particularly nice (for some algorithms)
 
It's got to the point where I read and execute an alg a few times then I can execute it without looking, then finding fingertricks and practising it a bit to get fast cements it in memory.
 
I usually look for triggers in the algs and execute it a lot until it's ingrained in my muscle memory. Unfortunately, I usually have to do it 30+ times before I kind of get how the alg goes, and then I have to do a bunch of solves so that I can recognize/recall/execute smoothly. It usually takes around 1-2 weeks (depending on the alg) for me to learn an alg (1-2 days to memorize, another few to get the fingertrick down, and the rest of the time to recog/recall).
 
Okay and also is the first algorithm on here correct? It never works for me.

Well, first algorithm if you skip the first row of them, because those are pretty much obvious. It's the one where the corner is in the right place and the edge just needs to be flipped.

http://jmbaum.110mb.com/f2l.htm
 
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