Help on Speedcubing

[I dream of rubik's cubes]

Hello fellow cube enthusiasts

I'm new to these forums, so hello!

I worked out most of how to solve a 3x3x3. My method was to create an extended cross, then do the corners with a R'D'RD. Then I would put the solved face down and do either U'L'ULUFU'F' or URU'R'U'F'UF. This would give me the first 2 layers complete. FRUR'U'F' gave me the cross on the bottom. After this, I just used someone else's algorithms, which were RUR'URU2R' to get the cross to match up and URU'L'UR'U'L to put the corners in the right places, and then follow up with R'D'RD.

I can do the whole thing in about 2:35 with 5 days of practise and a lubed cube.

I'd like to learn some speedsolving, and I don't know where to start. I googled Fridrich Method and found lots of pictures of cubes that I didnt know what to do with, so I'm asking you guys for help.

Memory-wise, I'm pretty good. I memorized pi to 300 places last year, and I learned the algorithms I am using at the moment in about 20 minutes.

So, please help me, oh wise speedcubers!

Ben

 

[mahajarama]

Hi, welcome to the forums.

I recommend the following site for the optimal learning of CFOP algorithms.
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/3x3x3

It's a great place to start learning algorithms as it not only provides you with the algorithms themselves but Java Applets too. (This way you will be able to recognize the mechanics of the algorithm visually)

If you're just starting the Fridrich method, your best bet is to try to attempt the First Two Layers intuitively. Then, if you happen to get "stuck" on a certain case, you can go to the site and look up the algorithm for it.

Try learning 1 or 2 algorithms a day and keep track of your progress as time passes.

Good Luck

 

[FredZ]

welcome to the forums, glad to see theres more UK cubers

for now you should keep practising with your current method till you get down to about a minute, then start to learn the fridrich CFOP method. Doing this natural speed will come etc as well as finger tricks.

offtopic - pi to 300 places :O

 

[I dream of rubik's cubes]

How much practise would I need to do so I can get sub-30 scores within a few months?

 

[mahajarama]

These are just some rough calculations but should give you some sort of ballpark estimate of how much practise you need:

Practising the layer by layer method until you reach averages of around 1:20-1:40 = 10 days @ 1 hour/day

Learning F2L intuitively = 10 Days @ 1 hour/day

Learning 7 OLL (Edges Correctly Flipped Algorithms) = 4-7 days @ 30 minutes/day

Learning 21 PLL algorithms = 18-26 days @ 45 minutes/day

I hope this helps. (Keep in mind, these are just approximations, it mainly depends on your learning abilities and dedication. )

Good luck practising

 

[AvGalen]

I used exactly the same method as you do now although you are not using extend cross, just regular cross.

These are the technical terms for this method:
Cross
First layer (corners)
F2L = First 2 layers
EO = Edge Orientation
EP = Edge Permutation
CP = Corner Permuation
CO = Corner Orientation

I learned that method about 20 years ago and averaged just over 1 minute with it.
I use that method on the MegaMinx now and can get about 3:30 minutes with it.

 

[I dream of rubik's cubes]

Ok, mahajamara's estimates are ok for speed, as I'm now down to about averaging about 2.05.

What exactly is F2L? Once I've solved the cross, do I have to match corner and edge pieces? What happens if I cant match the ones i'm looking for, because the corner pieces is on the layer of the cross?

Thanks alot for your replies, guys.

 

[mahajarama]

Take a look at these three videos. They are designed to teach you how to form the First Two Layers Intuitively. I think they should help a great deal.

Part 1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CM0mm-T3WOA

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udvm4KlLWhM

Part 3
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2pXk2aqaGqY