Hand scrambles vs Computer scrambles

[Faz]

Hey,

I currently use computer scrambles printed off a sheet.

I use jnetcube too.

This morning i hand scrambled it myself and got a 27.53!! Yay!

I am not sure whether to add this to my pb's as it was an easy cross (3 moves)

Should i or should i not make this my single pb.

 

[Faz]

hey cool i just got a new comp scramble pb 31.39!

 

[pcwiz]

It's really your choice, and if I were you, I would do it.

You got a new PB? Well you should update your time log then!
http://masterthecube.com/forums/index.php?topic=1413.0

You averages or close to mine.... well not that close - my best one is 33.40 seconds... improving is getting hard

 

[fanwuq]

Well, for me, hand scrambles are always about 30-60 moves with really bad cross and usually bad first F2L pair. When I do the Sunday contest, I'm surprised at my times and how easy the cross is.

 

[MiloD]

I usually scramble untill I don't immediately see any connected pairs. For the most parts I find easier 2x2x2 blocks on computer scrambles.

 

[Faz]

hey milo, nice petrus times man.

I updated my master the cube timelog.

check it out at http://masterthecube.com/forums/index.php?topic=1413.msg21463#msg21463

 

[ThePizzaGuy92]

my PB was hand scrambled by my mom, I count it, it was a full step solve, why not?

 

[immortalcube]

I usually scramble untill I don't immediately see any connected pairs.

I usually either do it like that, or I close my eyes/look away from the cube, and do a set number of random rotations.

 

[Faz]

mine was a 2 step OLL skip (about 5 seconds of my solving time).

 

[*LukeMayn*]

I just scramble randomly.... I don't care if there are blocks... I use them even. But usually I don't count my hand scrambles...(got all my records with com scrambles anyway) usually I never make a hand scramble with over two pieces in the right place.

 

[Dene]

I don't see the point in doing a hand scramble unless you don't have access to a computer...

 

[*LukeMayn*]

I don't see the point in doing a hand scramble unless you don't have access to a computer...

well personally for me it is a heck of a lot faster... my scrambles (reading from com) and 1 tps

 

[Crzyazn]

I find that my hand scrambles are biased towards simple triggers and i end up missing some faces (i don't like doing L or D' turns)

 

[mrCage]

Hi

This is also an old topic. When hand-scrambling it is easy to fall into the habit of just doing "semi-random" moves. One does a few good scrambling moves, but often one just repeats them unconsciously. This may lead to poor scrambles even with a high turn count. On the other hand cautious hand-scrambling may be very good. One deliberately breaks any good blocks forming by visual inspection. A good hand scramble is comparable to deliberate fully random compouter based scrambles (permutation- not turn based). Ie a computer scramble where you set a random state and find how to set it up. Not the other way round by just doing random turns. There has been a few analysis done that indicate a much higher turn count should be used for normal computer scranbles to achieve truly random scrambles.

My personal opinon is that we only need fair scrambles not "hard" scrambles - as far as competition goes anyway.

-Per

 

[Alex DiTuro]

I don't see the point in doing a hand scramble unless you don't have access to a computer...

i agree. Most computer scramblers mix up the cube so it can be solved in no more than 7 moves. whenever I hand scramble the cube it usually takes about 10-11.

 

[scuber123]

I don't see the point in doing a hand scramble unless you don't have access to a computer...

i agree. Most computer scramblers mix up the cube so it can be solved in no more than 7 moves. whenever I hand scramble the cube it usually takes about 10-11.

I don't think that you are telling the whole truth.

 

[qqwref]

If you can solve the cube in 7 moves each time, why aren't you under 5 seconds yet?

Anyway computer scrambles and hand scrambles are about the same, but I've noticed that good hand scrambles tend to have fewer blocks because I consciously try to break them. This is especially true on 5x5, where computer scrambles give me 2x2 blocks of centers quite often, but I very rarely have them when I hand scramble. It's neat stuff.

 

[Dene]

That's true. I'm happy that I have a 5x5 scrambler now (in Cubemania) because I'm always harsh to myself mixing up the 5x5.

 

[deno]

Some of you noted that hand scrambling misses face turns, so I suggest doing double layer turns (that's what I do). Also, I personally practice with hand-scrambles using visual inspection (breaking blocks/roundabouts/similar patterns). Computer scrambles are too slow for me and i occasionally do L instead of L' or so.

 

[rjohnson_8ball]

When I hand scramble, I probably favor certain faces so I also rotate the entire cube at random every 10 or so twists about x or y or z, all the while not looking at the cube. I make sure I do 180 degree, CW and CCW twists. I stop after maybe 40 turns or so, and do not care what the cube looks like as I go to solve it. If I intend to record my times (like for Sunday Contest) I use the computer scrambles provided.

Obviously for 4x4 and 5x5 you need some double layer twists. (I am focusing on 3x3 these days.)