[Help Thread] Finger Tricks Discussion and Help

[Shortey]

I prefer ring or pinky.
Yes.

 

[dabest2500]

I prefer ring or pinky.
Yes.

And I assume you use your middle finger for that?
Isn't it quick to turn the top and bottom simultaneously instead of turning the middle as that would be a bit more tedious?

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, my fault, you meant the E-Layer. Well, I don't specifically know of any algorithms, but IIRC, some F2L tricks use it. As for your question, why not just perform U D', well, it's the same thing with using r instead of L. r moves the centers as well as the R layer, which means that even though it's the equivalent of L, it's like you did a cube rotation, so sometimes this can help keep your algorithms finger-tricky.

If that's not clear, imagine this scenario: We have some random algorithm that goes like E' R U' R' U E. I know it doesn't do anything, but say it did. If we performed E' as U' D, then the rest of the algorithm would suck. Instead of being R U' R' U, the next four moves would be B U' B' U. Situations like that make it favorable to use wide or middle turns rather than their normal turn counterparts.

 

[dabest2500]

Turning the middle layer isn't very common in CFOP, but certain LL algorithms, and probably some useful F2L tricks, require you to occasionally use the middle layer.

Roux is a method which is, to a large extent, centered around the M-Layer... here's a link: http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?11506-Waffle-s-Roux-Tutorial

A bit off-topic, I've just come from the Beginner's method, do you think Fridrich would be the best to learn?
Also, does Fridrich use any middle layer algorithms at all?

 

[Verack]

I use ring finger for bottom layer and ring finger for middle layer.

 

[Toad]

There are three different "middle layer"s on a 3x3 cube. They're usually referred to as the M slice, E slice and S slice.

The S slice and E slice and very rarely used in speed solves however the M slice is quite commonly used in CFOP (Fridrich) and other similar methods and very heavily used in the Roux method.

 

[dabest2500]

There are three different "middle layer"s on a 3x3 cube. They're usually referred to as the M slice, E slice and S slice.

The S slice and E slice and very rarely used in speed solves however the M slice is quite commonly used in CFOP (Fridrich) and other similar methods and very heavily used in the Roux method.

Oh, never knew that CFOP stood for Fridrich.
I assume S,E and M are the letters used in algorithms?

 

[antoineccantin]

Oh, never knew that CFOP stood for Fridrich.
I assume S,E and M are the letters used in algorithms?

Yes, M the middle slice between R and L. E is between U and D. S is between F and B.

 

[dabest2500]

Thanks.

 

[Nestor]

Bottom: ring finger Middle: middle finger.

 

[RaresB]

Bottom: ring finger Middle: middle finger.

Same ^

 

[uberCuber]

Oh, never knew that CFOP stood for Fridrich.

CFOP stands for Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL. The method just seems to be more commonly known as the Fridrich method.

 

[dabest2500]

CFOP stands for Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL. The method just seems to be more commonly known as the Fridrich method.

Yeah, sorry, which is what I meant.

 

[DistinctThought]

Implementing finger tricks.

I first solved a Rubik's cube about five years ago, and then became addicted to puzzling. I never solved for speed, though, merely because my solves were purely intuitive and weren't formulaic. After playing with puzzles for years, however, and discovering new patterns, etc., I find that my understanding of how the cube operates IS essentially formulaic and algorithm-oriented. So, I started speedcubing, and average between 30 and 40 seconds. Out of habit developed by years past, though, I naturally twist the cube using my whole hand instead of using finger tricks, despite that I understand them pretty well. I was wondering if anyone had advice (other than simple practice by repetition) as to exercises that might make implementation feel more natural and habitual. And, the other question, at my level, are finger tricks worth learning, or am I deluding myself? Thanks for all your help!

 

[reyrey]

Fingertricks are always worth learning.
If you learn them at this point you'll be able to scratch off about 3~5 seconds I believe off your average.

 

[NaeosPsy]

Fingertricks are always worth learning.
If you learn them at this point you'll be able to scratch off about 3~5 seconds I believe off your average.

More like 10, if you learn proper.

 

[teller]

Habits are broken by executing the new behavior enough times that it becomes the new normal. You must find the FUN and the beauty in the fingertricks in order to stick with them. If you love it, you will grow with it. I recommend Breandan Vallance's YouTube channel for some inspiration.

 

[Bapao]

I invented this trick where I erratically hold up one of my middle fingers. I practiced it in public a few times but people don't seem to appreciate my finger trick much, they even get angry
I'll post a video when I find the time...

 

[DRAGON_RYU]

defenitly learn.
see my finger trick record: 11.14
full hand: 27.
definitley learn.

 

[Georgeanderre]

sadly, repetition is the best way to learn them...
once you get the hang of one or two the other will come naturally through practice

I only know the ones i need to know, still using hand twists for some B and D turns and all the time on bigger cubes