Older cubers discussions

[Shaky Hands]

Picked up a 4x4 today for the first time in at least 2 weeks. Managed a 4x4 PB single of 1:14.63 during this average of 25:

1:31.77, 1:33.79, 1:38.16, 1:33.31, 1:31.05, 1:28.29, 1:35.39, 1:43.57, 1:44.91, 1:42.03, 1:50.00, 1:49.08, 1:14.63, 1:25.34, 1:40.03, 1:34.40, 1:52.13, 1:35.76, 1:37.71, 1:28.29, 1:45.89, 1:37.42, 1:25.22, 1:32.19, 1:58.58

That's 9 seconds better than my previous 4x4 PB single and there were no skips that I recall (at least not in the 3x3 stage.)

Feeling quite happy with this. 5 solves below the usual UK Average Cut of 1:30... but even including these, I've only had 10 solves below that cut ever! All that Hoya practice on 5x5 seems to be transferring well to 4x4.

 

[mark49152]

@mark49152 - Thanks Mark but with nerves added to the equation it is going to take some good solves the weekend to beat your excellent comp PB average sir. Like to think I am sub 1:05 now but home and comp and completely different beasts to me.

Comp pressure can be positive. 1:05 would be a good ao5 for me at home.

 

[mark49152]

Ian Scheffler's book "Cracking the Cube" arrived today. I've only flicked through so far, but it looks great and I can already recommend it.

 

[Shaky Hands]

Ian Scheffler's book "Cracking the Cube" arrived today. I've only flicked through so far, but it looks great and I can already recommend it.

Yes, I became aware of it from this youtube video:

It was on my Amazon wishlist and now it's showing as purchased without me having bought it myself. I think my mother may have ordered it for my birthday without realising it was a pre-order, so I suspect I'm waiting until Christmas-time for this now.

 

[pglewis]

Another sledge case that has replaced the more intuitive approach for me, pair upside down in its slot. Trigger friendly.

 

[newtonbase]

Another sledge case that has replaced the more intuitive approach for me, pair upside down in its slot. Trigger friendly.

Very nice. I'll be using this. Keep them coming .

 

[h2f]

Another sledge case that has replaced the more intuitive approach for me, pair upside down in its slot. Trigger friendly.

I use too for few months. Earlier I was using this one.

 

[Selkie]

@Shaky Hands - Really nice 4x4 times, with practice full average at Birmingham?!

@mark49152 - Hadn't heard of the book before, I will get a copy ordered.

@pglewis - Nice alg, lie that one a lot.

 

[Logiqx]

Another sledge case that has replaced the more intuitive approach for me, pair upside down in its slot. Trigger friendly.

It's a nice one and it's been part of my standard F2L for a long time.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Shaky Hands]

@Shaky Hands - Really nice 4x4 times, with practice full average at Birmingham?!

Certainly possible. It was one of my targets for 2016. I did another 35 solves after the first 25 last night and 9 of the 35 were under 1:30, including a 1:25.15 Ao5 so there's every hope if I have 6 weeks' practice before then.

 

[mafergut]

Another sledge case that has replaced the more intuitive approach for me, pair upside down in its slot. Trigger friendly.

8 moves long, when my current intuitive approach is 11 moves + 1 rotation. I need to implement this asap. Thanks!

 

[Shaky Hands]

8 moves long, when my current intuitive approach is 11 moves + 1 rotation. I need to implement this asap. Thanks!

My intuitive approach to this was (R U' R') (F' U2 F) - just 6 moves.

Edit: I usually do U2' rather than U2.

 

[mafergut]

My intuitive approach to this was (R U' R') (F' U2 F) - just 6 moves.

Edit: I usually do U2' rather than U2.

Yep, you're right, I for some reason counted the moves for the different case where the edge is flipped (the triple sexy case). For this I do what you do but with a rotation (R U' R') y (L' U2 L) as I hate F turns (sledgehammer flows nice but doing an F' from normal grip is a bit awkward for me and needs a regrip which takes usually as much time as a y rotation).

 

[MarcelP]

1000 solves for each 1s of improvement is hard work!

I do not think I even solved 1000 4X4's in whole my life LOL

 

[mark49152]

I do not think I even solved 1000 4X4's in whole my life LOL

The only speed events I practise now are 4x4 and 5x5. That's the case for the last 1.5 years. Despite never practising 3x3 and 2x2, my comp times have remained about the same. I usually have to relearn my PBLs while warming up for 2x2 first round though

 

[h2f]

I wonder how my times would look if Im back to practice 4x4 (I didnt for at least 4 months when I did around 200 solves).

Now I'm focused on big blind events. There are Nationals in December and it's the only chance to get some nice result. In 3bld and mbld I have no much chance but 4bld and 5bld seems opened. For now - theres no sure if there are big blds in the schedule.

I'm reviewing my advanced memo list now. So many empty spaces...

 

[Selkie]

Talking of events we don't practice I would have to say Skewb, Pyraminx and 2x2 fall way into that category for me

So I figure there are 6 easy comp PBs with single and average with a bit of effort. First up 2x2 and I was globally ~8s. With Comp results of single 6:05 and average of 9.36. Did the first ever 2x2 Ao100 of my life and the results were:-

number of times: 100/100
best time: 3.07
worst time: 11.92

current avg5: 7.46 (σ = 0.22)
best avg5: 5.92 (σ = 0.34)

current avg12: 7.79 (σ = 0.62)
best avg12: 6.56 (σ = 0.82)

current avg100: 7.29 (σ = 1.02)
best avg100: 7.29 (σ = 1.02)

Certainly Pbs for single, ao5, ao12 and ao100 there but also got very used to predicting the bottom layer PBL during inspection to minimise PBL recoginition. Lets see if that practice paid off on Saturday morning. I'd be disappointed not to get average PB but single might need a lucky solve.

Skewb next....

 

[earth2dan]

Another sledge case that has replaced the more intuitive approach for me, pair upside down in its slot. Trigger friendly.

I've been using this for a long time. I think I learned it from one of Chris Olsens's F2L videos. If you haven't seen them he has some really great F2L algs that are good alternatives to intuitive F2L. Some are too fancy for me but some are pure gold.

I hate F turns (sledgehammer flows nice but doing an F' from normal grip is a bit awkward for me and needs a regrip which takes usually as much time as a y rotation).

Try using your right thumb to push up the F'. This F2L alg is smokin fast and requires no regrip if you use your right thumb for the F'. Might not work for some, but it feels so fluid and fast for me.

 

[pglewis]

8 moves long, when my current intuitive approach is 11 moves + 1 rotation. I need to implement this asap. Thanks!

I've been ignoring AUF setup when I count alg moves (thus 7) because any alg I use has a 75% chance of needing an AUF setup.

 

[pglewis]

I've been using this for a long time. I think I learned it from one of Chris Olsens's F2L videos. If you haven't seen them he has some really great F2L algs that are good alternatives to intuitive F2L. Some are too fancy for me but some are pure gold.

I actually added this very one to my "watch later" list last night . It's really dense stuff for me because for every new alg I pause and absorb how it works, rotated versions, etc.