Frequently Asked Questions About WCA Competitions

[Noahaha]

how do i organize an official competition?

1. Find a location
2. Find a delegate
3. Find a date
4. Find competitors

 

[PatrickJameson]

how do i organize an official competition?

http://www.cubingusa.com/cguide1.php

 

[Kian]

1. Find a location
2. Find a delegate
3. Find a date
4. Find competitors

Prior to all this you should almost certainly attend a few competitions (except in areas currently devoid of WCA competitions) and prove to the delegate there that you are competent and helpful, too..

 

[Dene]

Despite this wonderful thread existing, these forums are still regularly bombarded with new threads with competitors asking questions such as "are there competitions near me?" or "can there be a competition very close to where I live so I can go because my parents won't travel?" or "am I fast enough to compete?" etc. etc.

My point: @mods, can this thread be put somewhere more obvious and with greater exposure, to at least localise all these silly questions?

 

[TheNewbCuber]

I have a question. I'll be attending my first competition soon, and I've never used stackmat before. Is there anything special that I should know, besides the simple stuff, or is it pretty much obvious rules that apply? Like some extra pressure to apply when putting my hands down?

 

[JasonK]

I have a question. I'll be attending my first competition soon, and I've never used stackmat before. Is there anything special that I should know, besides the simple stuff, or is it pretty much obvious rules that apply? Like some extra pressure to apply when putting my hands down?

Make absolutely sure the green light turns on before you start solving. Quite a few people have got DNFs in their first competition because they haven't left their hands down long enough.

You should ask an organiser if you can try out using the timers before stuff gets going.

 

[TheNewbCuber]

Make absolutely sure the green light turns on before you start solving. Quite a few people have got DNFs in their first competition because they haven't left their hands down long enough.

You should ask an organiser if you can try out using the timers before stuff gets going.

Thanks, I didn't know that. I'll make sure to ask.

 

[hkpnkp]

I have a question. I'll be attending my first competition soon, and I've never used stackmat before. Is there anything special that I should know, besides the simple stuff, or is it pretty much obvious rules that apply? Like some extra pressure to apply when putting my hands down?

all the best for the comp you are gonna attend:tu

 

[TheNewbCuber]

all the best for the comp you are gonna attend:tu

Thanks. You can attend too, it's in Mumbai, VJTI college.

 

[windhero]

Thanks, I didn't know that. I'll make sure to ask.

You definitely need to practice some with the timer before actually competing. I had a hard time trying to stop the timer; The timer has to be stopped so that your hands are flat and horizontal like the table. This can be hard to adjust to if you're used to stopping e.g. the keyboard timer with your other hand while holding the cube in the other. Dropping the cube on the table and hitting both hands flat on the timer can feel a little odd at the beginning but you'll get used to it. If the judge is precise you will get sanctioned for stopping the timer wrong, for example by letting the cube go and stopping the timer with your hands being vertical (hitting the timer with the outer side of your hands).

 

[TheNewbCuber]

You definitely need to practice some with the timer before actually competing. I had a hard time trying to stop the timer; The timer has to be stopped so that your hands are flat and horizontal like the table. This can be hard to adjust to if you're used to stopping e.g. the keyboard timer with your other hand while holding the cube in the other. Dropping the cube on the table and hitting both hands flat on the timer can feel a little odd at the beginning but you'll get used to it. If the judge is precise you will get sanctioned for stopping the timer wrong, for example by letting the cube go and stopping the timer with your hands being vertical (hitting the timer with the outer side of your hands).

I see. Do the judges typically allow some practice?

 

[Ranzha]

I see. Do the judges typically allow some practice?

If you ask the organiser to try some solves with a timer because you're a first-time competitor when there are no solves going on (e.g. before the competition begins, at lunch, etc.) he should allow you to.

 

[windhero]

I see. Do the judges typically allow some practice?

At my first comp the delegate actually asked me if I could go ahead and practice first. Some cubers will have their own timer with them; Finding a timer to practice on shouldnt be a problem. Around 20 solves was enough for me to learn how to use the timers as well as a keyboard.

 

[RockinRocklin02]

WCA Registration

For the past few days I've been trying to pre register for a competition. I just need help as to how i can pre register for a WCA Competition.

 

[ScottyDoesntCube]

Go to the WCA website and find the specific competition on the competition page. Go to the competitions website and find the registration tab.

 

[Back2square1]

Are original plastic (primary color) cubes competition legal? I have not been able to find info on this and the only reason they might not be is if you can see through them. I don't own a primary color cube myself so I do not know how transparent they are. In the pictures I've seen they look reasonably opaque. Has anyone used one in a competition or know if they are allowed?

 

[jonlin]

Are original plastic (primary color) cubes competition legal? I have not been able to find info on this and the only reason they might not be is if you can see through them. I don't own a primary color cube myself so I do not know how transparent they are. In the pictures I've seen they look reasonably opaque. Has anyone used one in a competition or know if they are allowed?

That will be up to the discresion of the delegate at the competition.

 

[Genesis]

Are original plastic (primary color) cubes competition legal? I have not been able to find info on this and the only reason they might not be is if you can see through them. I don't own a primary color cube myself so I do not know how transparent they are. In the pictures I've seen they look reasonably opaque. Has anyone used one in a competition or know if they are allowed?

As long as the plastic colour is one solid colour, it should be allowed

 

[Back2square1]

As long as the plastic colour is one solid colour, it should be allowed

It's a little difficult to tell: this is the kind I mean. It looks slightly transparent from the pictures. Would it be a gamble to bring one to a comp?

 

[Bob]

It's a little difficult to tell: this is the kind I mean. It looks slightly transparent from the pictures. Would it be a gamble to bring one to a comp?

If it's not illegal, it probably will be soon. There are all kinds of puzzles being banned for no effing reason.