[Help Thread] 3x3 Cross Help and Discussion

[immortalchaos29]

Badmephisto has several cross tips videos on youtube that I found to be way helpful including one about finger tricks for difficult cases.

Are you CN?

 

[aznanimedude]

I'm of the opinion that doing it blind forces you to figure out how to do it efficiently so there's less for you to keep in your head when you do the cross blind

 

[anshuman]

Cross mastery...

Hello all,
i've just started speedcubing and average about 25 sec.
I use a Ghost-Hand II rubik's cube..

i recently decide to master the cross such that i get to solve it in a second or less...
my current problem is that, i find it very very difficult to plan my cross during inspection,
i try my best but cant do it...

but when it comes to solving the cross, i'm really really fast....
my problem however is that, because i cant plan my cross, i have to think about the cross while solving, so
i cant really look ahead at F2L which others do while solving the cross...

my kind request: please cubers out there, can you suggest me some exercise or something like that to help me plan my cross....
PLEASE!!

 

[erikoui]

Try to do your cross blindfolded. This might be difficult at first, but take your time with it.
You can also, when doing casual solves, do only the cross+1 F2L pair in a smooth motion(not nescessarily fast, this comes with time)

And, as always, PRACTICE

 

[anshuman]

Thanx a lot erikoui

 

[WBCube]

Know the exact moves you're going to do for the cross, then when you're solving it, you don't have to think about it and you can keep track of some edges or corners for F2L

 

[ahmfast1]

Any software about cross solving?

Hi, guys.. Is there any computer software about solving cross

For example: I'm typing the scramble and it gives me alternate solves for cross

It would be very helpful for to see expert cross techniques

 

[omer]

Prisma Puzzle Timer has a tips section which shows all optimal cross solutions (for all the sides) for the current scramble.

 

[pdid]

Solving the white cross on the bottom?

Hi i'm new to speedcubing and i am just wondering how i can solve the white cross on the bottom using the frindrich method. i usually solve the cross on the top but some say its faster on the bottom. please tell me which is faster or just how to solve the white cross faster in general. thanks.

 

[manstrong]

You should solve it on the bottom because that eliminates a x2 (rotation to get yellow on the top). As for help... did you even bother to read this thread? Post 1 has a lot of links to tutorials.

 

[applemobile]

I keep doing Y2's but the cross is still on top?

 

[pdid]

You should solve it on the bottom because that eliminates a y2 (rotation to get yellow on the top). As for help... did you even bother to read this thread? Post 1 has a lot of links to tutorials.

sorry i got redirected

 

[manstrong]

I keep doing Y2's but the cross is still on top?

... You don't have to be sarcastic to a typo. It is unbecoming.

 

[TheNextFeliks]

How to Improve Cross

My cross takes way too long. About anywhere from 3-7 so about average 5. I want to average like 3 for now. So how can I get faster? Any tips, techniques, anytthing to help me get faster. I do w/y neutral. I usually get 8 or less but not always.

 

[Tj2OY]

Do you do the cross on the bottom?

 

[Akiro]

I would suggest that you learn your scheme by heart (ex: for yellow facing up and blue facing front, you know instantly that red is the right face and orange is the left face).

Also, something that helped me a lot is to find "patterns" that can quickly solve two pieces... To illustrate, do L F L' R on a solve cube. To solve the cross, you can do U2 and use the "pattern" (R' F). The idea is to prepare an easier insertion of the next piece while you're inserting a piece. (Badmephisto calls this to change a bad edge into a good edge...)

Hope this helps...

 

[TheNextFeliks]

Do you do the cross on the bottom?

Yes.

 

[Tj2OY]

DO you use your inspection time wisely to plan out your cross.

. Not sure if you've seen this. May help?

 

[redbeat0222]

Do cross blindfolded. Do f2l blindfolded. It helps look ahead. and you improve at the same time.

 

[pdid]

CFOP method cross

Hello i am fairly new to speed cubing and generally have times of around 40 seconds. However my cross generally takes around 10 seconds to solve making it a quarter of my solve time. does anyone have any tips on how to cut down on my time?