Cross on top vs bottom/side

[Stefan]

In case you haven't noticed, our new world record holder for 3x3x3 average, Erik, uses Fridrich and usually builds the cross on *top*. So I think it's time to revisit this, as probably very few fast cubers do this and I've even seen it be called stupid, which it apparently kinda isn't. Have a look at Erik's solves in the Benelux Open finals, the round after his world record:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10194
The only time he didn't build the cross on top was also the only time he had a really bad solve (the third one).

Besides pointing that out, I'd also like to check my feeling that few use it, so if you're a sub30 Fridrich solver, please tell in the above poll where you usually build the cross. Choose what describes you best. Erik for example would be "cross on top" even though he doesn't do it 100% of the time and even though he only builds most of the cross on top and finishes it on the bottom with a double layer turn (as far as I can tell so far).

 

[BigSams]

i remember talking to you about this on the wca forums!
you said something about having a greater sense of the f2l by doing the double-layer turn after the cross.
i tried it... but failed... miserably. thats probably because i only tried for one day before stopping.
to your knowledge, are there any sub-15 cubers who use this, other than erik?

 

[Crossed]

My avgs is in the signature, but i usually build the cross on top, or the side.
Almost never on the bottom.

 

[Stefan]

are there any sub-15 cubers who use this, other than erik?

Yes, Jean Pons, previous world record holder and world champion.

 

[Zava]

I'm around 13, and I also build cross on top.

 

[snowmous]

Shocked.
I will think about the question, and do some tests.

 

[miniGOINGS]

well i usually build my cross on the top but i have HORRID times,, PB 21 and average 59

 

[Stefan]

well i usually build my cross on the top but i have HORRID times,, PB 21 and average 59

Yeah, for beginners it's not unusual to build it on top because they want to see what they're doing. Then when they get faster they're told to build it on the bottom. That's why I restricted the poll to fast cubers, otherwise the slow cubers would pollute the statistic.

Question for those of you fast cubers building cross on top: Do you all do it like I think Erik and Jean do it, i.e., solving three cross edges on top and finishing the cross putting it on the bottom with a double layer turn where the fourth edge is waiting? And if not, how else do you do it?

 

[pcharles93]

I'm not sure if I qualify as fast, but I either use a double layer turn or just a double rotation. I almost always pause before the first pair though. I know it's bad, but I'm trying to kill this habit of mine.

 

[gasmus]

I think its a bit more freestyle than you think. Its not always restricted to a double layer turn. For example,

B2F2D'L2D2B2L'R2U2LRBL2U2F2U2B'D2L'R'BDU'B(cross colour on D)

Can be solved like this:

X2Y2U2LU'M'X

IMO the fingertricks are easier for cross on top but i usually solve it on the bottom for better lookahead

 

[tim]

I always build my cross on top. Only for cases with 3 moves or less i switch to cross on bottom (if i don't forget to do so).
And yeah, i'm sub-20 (probably around 19s? I've got no idea)

 

[Neroflux]

IMO the fingertricks are easier for cross on top but i usually solve it on the bottom for better lookahead

not really, with planning it could even be better than cross on U (abuse Uw moves).

 

[tim]

Question for those of you fast cubers building cross on top: Do you all do it like I think Erik and Jean do it, i.e., solving three cross edges on top and finishing the cross putting it on the bottom with a double layer turn where the fourth edge is waiting? And if not, how else do you do it?

Sometimes if i saw the whole solution during inspection time. But i'm slow anyway.

 

[Gparker]

pizzaguy72 uses cross on top and hes sub 15

i do it on bottem

 

[dChan]

Wow, it's cool to be able to click on one of those "Average sub-20" options, haha.

Anyhow, I usually build my cross on bottom but I have noticed, on occasion, it is easier to build the cross fully or at least most of it on top, and therefore have used that strategy for those solves. I've done this only recently, however. Last year, when I was still averaging in the 20s, it was strictly on bottom.

 

[F.P.]

Stefan Huber also does cross on top and he is sub-13/12.

 

[fanwuq]

I'm surprised that so many fast cubists solve the cross on U. I was only aware of Phil Thomas doing this.
I would consider myself to be a cross on D solver, but I noticed that much of the time, I actually do it on F or R, do many rotations while making cross, then end with cross on D as I start my slots.

 

[Speedcuber023]

Cubing advice could be changed because of this thread... 95% of the cubing websites I've seen have always said things like.. "GO SLOW AND LOOK AHEAD and SOLVE THE CROSS ON THE BOTTOM!" But maybe, cross on top isn't as bad as many cubers think...

 

[Dene]

There needs to be an "indiscernible" option. I probably rotate the cube every way possible during the cross >.<.

Later today I will do some cross practise and try to deduce my style more accurately.

 

[amostay2004]

I dunno how to vote, I do the cross at a comfortable position, most of the time i'll do it on D, but at times I'll do on U and adjust the cross layer on D, and at times I do it on F and still adjust on D.

Conclusion: I start with the cross on D mostly, then F or U. I almost always finish with the cross on D (looking for the first pair while adjusting the cross)

I average about 16s.