Outline of Your Speedcubing Method, Tricks, and Techniques

[dChan]

It would be interesting to see some general outlines of the method different cubers use to solve the cube and what tricks and techniques they have added on. Just outline your method doing the usual "1. Cross, 2. F2L" format but at the end of it list what types of things you have added to make it faster like COLL or advanced block building, recognition by blocks, etc. Also, state your time so we can see how everyone compares with their method.

Thanks,
dChan

 

[pcharles93]

1.Cross(preserve CE pairs)
2.F2L
3.Orient edges
4.Apply one of 7 cross OLL's
5.PLL

I do the same thing as most other speedcubers. I still haven't learned full OLL. My OLL is a bit different after getting the cross. I can predict the PLL up to a certain point. I know how some of my OLL algs permute pieces so I can anticipate how the PLL will look. Other than that, I can recognize PLL cases by blocks instead of having to line them up first. I've been seeing this used a lot lately.

I average sub-25. I say sub-25 because they always are. My times are not very consistent with my method because of the possibilities of LL orientation immediately after F2L.

 

[dChan]

What is your average solving time, pcharles93? Have you thought of using Lucas's Compound OLL for your OLL step? It turns your 2 look OLL into a 1-look LL without you having to learn all the algorithms for OLL yet so it is a good learning tool and is quite fast. I used it up until I got to around 24 seconds average so it should be good for you.

Okay, I'll keep the ball rolling and outline my method and techniques. It is basically Macky-style Fridrich without COLL and more emphasis on LL control.

1. Cross, 3 seconds
2. F2L, 11 seconds
3. OLL, 3 seconds
4. PLL, 3 seconds
Theoretical Average: 20 seconds

First off, I prioritize block-building to cross solving so 50 percent of the time I'm doing cross and the other 50 percent I'm block-building. I favor opposite color solving when it is very easy or at least easier than doing the solve on my normal cross color. I adapted empty slot techniques from learning Keyhole F2L plus I learned the more advanced tricks for various cases. As I finish the last c/e pair I look for possibilities to manipulate the LL and try to make sure at least 1 pair of edges is oriented. I use some algorithms that I learned from a short stint with ZBF2L to influence and preserve LL edge orientation(a few ZBF2L algorithms I use actually preserve the whole OLL so those help). When possible I try to completely orientate the LL as I finish my last c/e pair. For OLL and PLL I use basic pattern recognition techniques as well as heavy block recognition techniques.

 

[Hadley4000]

1. Cross (4 seconds)
2. F2L (17 seconds =\)
3. Orient edges (1-2 seconds)
4. OLL (For when the cross on the bottom is oriented) (1-4 seconds, depending on the case)
5. PLL (4-10 seconds, depending on if I know it.)
6. Put cube down.

That is just average.

There are a few of the PLLs I have forgotten(About 6 I think). If I get one of those I don't know, I do the alg for A Perm to set it up to one I know.

I know it's an abstract method of doing that, but it's actually efficient for quick;y changing cases.

 

[dChan]

Don't forget to state your times so we can all see how fast you are with your method.

I wonder if anyone here still uses the beginner's method but has a sub-40 second average or something like that. That would be cool.

 

[shelley]

One of my friends learned to cube, but never wanted to learn any new algorithms or techniques beyond the beginner method. I don't know about his average (any cuber who cares enough to take an average of 12 times probably cares enough to try learning PLLs), but he gets times in the 30-40 second range regularly. He even holds cross on top during his F2L.

 

[fanwuq]

1.Cross or 2x2 block or random part of F2L solving 4 pieces. (6 seconds, I need great improvement on this step)
2.Finish F2L but last slot (10 seconds)
3.Last slot (one of 4 cases just to avoid no edges oriented (3 seconds)
4.OLL flip edges (2 seconds)
5.OLL orient corners (2 seconds)
6.PLL (4 seconds)

 

[Rpotts]

Cross (5 seconds)
F2L (20 Seconds)
OLLe (2 seconds)
OLLc (3 seconds)
PLL (9/21) (5 seconds)

These are all on average, so depending on which case I get greatly affects my time. So if I get a sune + a U Perm, I will get a low 30s solve

 

[Crzyazn]

Cross-4sec
F2L-2-3sec/pair
OLL-3-6sec
PLL-2-4sec

My OLL range is high because i use 3-Look supplemented with about 20 extra OLLs. I have never bothered to optimize my PLLs

Theoretical average: 17-26sec

I usually average around 24....give or take 1.5sec

 

[Hadley4000]

Cross (5 seconds)
F2L (20 Seconds)
OLLe (2 seconds)
OLLc (3 seconds)
PLL (9/21) (5 seconds)

These are all on average, so depending on which case I get greatly affects my time. So if I get a sune + a U Perm, I will get a low 30s solve

Sune + U perm makes my life

 

[jtjogobonito]

For fridrich:
1.Cross (2 seconds)
2.F2L slots(8 seconds)
3.OLL (3 seconds)
4.PLL (2 seconds)

Average: 15 seconds


For my method:
1. 3/4 cross (1 second)
2.3 F2L slots (9 seconds)
3.F2LL (3 seconds)
4.F2ELL (2 seconds)
5.PLL (2 seconds)

Average=17 seconds

 

[Harris Chan]

Nakajima:

1. Cross (1-1.5s)
2. F2L (5-6s)
3. OLL (1-1.5s)
4. PLL (2s)

So the upper bound is 11s, and lower bounds is 9s lol

 

[coopersacatfilms]

Cross (1-3 Seconds)
F2L(6-10 Seconds)
OLL (1-2 Seconds)
PLL ( 2 Seconds)

Average 17-20 Seconds

 

[cubekid]

hmm... well i just switched to roux yesterday, so take that into consideration:

1) 1x2x3 block on left
2) 1x2x3 block on right
3) orient+permute corners
4) orient edges
5) permute edges

latest avg: 57sec

unfortunately i don't really know the times for each, but the 1x2x3 blocks definitely take the majority of the time. the last steps are easy

 

[Sin-H]

Cross: 1-2 seconds
F2L: between 1.3 and 1.8 per pair
OLL: 2 seconds
PLL: 2-2.5 seconds (execution: <2 seconds)

(including recognization)

so the upper bound is around 14 and the lower bound is around 10 seconds...

I normally average around 13 seconds, sometimes Sub-13 and I have 4 averages that are Sub-12...

 

[Kickflip1993]

Cross 4.43
F2L 14.59
OLL 4.05
PLL 2.64

I just made 1 solve.
F2L was pretty slow, it was ma first one today.
Now another one

Cross 6.75
F2L 12.37
OLL 3.65
PLL 2.64 again

 

[L00M]

pcharles93 and I use the exact same method right now:

1.Cross(preserve CE pairs)
2.F2L
3.Orient edges
4.Apply one of 7 cross OLL's
5.PLL

I'm currently averaging about 35 seconds.
I only know the 7 cross OLL algorithms, and have almost finished memorized the PLL cases. I currently know 19 of the 21 (having learned 2 of 4 G perms in my spare time the last two nights... 2 to go).
Once I can perform the 21 PLL cases in my sleep, I'll probably move on to learning some more advanced F2L algorithms. Everything I do currently is intuitive, and there are a few cases where I'm terribly slow.
Furthermore, I think the ability to look ahead just comes with practice. Within the last month, my ability to look ahead has increased greatly, and my times are showing it.
I really need to learn some finger tricks too.

Lastly, I think one thing that really helps me is sitting next to my wife while solving. The (to me) comforting sound of the Rubiks clicks, and turns, and straining springs irritates the bejeezes out of her. So, I super slow solve while sitting next to her. Then, I take it with me to my office (the bathroom) and speed solve in private with the door closed. This slow/fast approach seems to have helped a lot.

Neil

 

[dChan]

One of my friends learned to cube, but never wanted to learn any new algorithms or techniques beyond the beginner method. I don't know about his average (any cuber who cares enough to take an average of 12 times probably cares enough to try learning PLLs), but he gets times in the 30-40 second range regularly. He even holds cross on top during his F2L.

That's interesting, shelley. I havn't tried an average with the beginner's method in a while but I rememer that I used to get around 40 second averages(this was when I already was averaging in the upper 20s). I wonder what the absolute limit is with that method. Maybe someone here uses it and knows, lol.

Harris, is there any site that shows how Nakajima solves exactly? E.g. does he use tons of multi-slotting and really advanced F2L techniques? I am very interested in learning about his style.

@L00M: lol, your 'office' must be pretty relaxing as well. I wonder if alternating between going super fast and then super smooth might help cubers break the 20 second barrier as well as intermediate cubers to just get faster period. I shall try that today. Thanks for the tip(well hopefully it is a tip).

 

[L00M]

Just posting to see if my signature is working now.....

(and yes, my office is quite relaxing... nice and quite too )

 

[SkateTracker]

Cross
Intuitive F2L
Solve cross LL
Orient corners LL
Solve corners LL

I average around 30, my best average is 27.3 and my best time is 20.09.

I really want to start learning OLLs and PLLs, but, haven't gotten around to it much.