Question to all of you Fridrich users

[Litz]

Hey everyone.

I recently started cubing and learned the begginers method. Now that I can do it comfortably, I decided I wanted to learn a faster method and was recommended Fridrich.

As such, I watched badmephistos' videos about the method, and while it does seem much faster, I have a couple of questions.

In his F2L video for example, he teaches an intuitive way to solve it (and I did understand it), but do you speedcubers solve F2L like this or do you memorize all the algorithms? Or do you just memorize a few algorithms and then "force" the cube into one of them?

How about OLL/PLL?

I'm asking this because I'm discouraged after seeing I need to memorize over 100 algorithms for all cases and I know there's the intuitive method and all, but is it viable or do you just end up memorizing the algorithms?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hyprul 9-ty2]

I use intuitive F2L, except for one algorithm to preserve LL edges while puttin it the last slot.
I guess most people learn a few algorithms just for the extremely irritating cases.
For OLL and PLL I suggest you learn 2look for both then moving on to full PLL.
1 algorithm a day won't hurt you, and after awhile it all becomes muscle memory

 

[AndyRoo789]

In his F2L video for example, he teaches an intuitive way to solve it (and I did understand it), but do you speedcubers solve F2L like this or do you memorize all the algorithms? Or do you just memorize a few algorithms and then "force" the cube into one of them?

I'm pretty sure most people do it intuitively, but memorize a few (Maybe around 5) algs for cases that are hard to do intuitively. That's what I do.

How about OLL/PLL?

What do you mean?
For OLL/PLL, I recommend you start by learning 2 Look OLL and 2 Look PLL. It's only about 15 algs altogether. Then after a bit of practice with that, you can slowly learn all of PLL, then all of OLL.

I'm asking this because I'm discouraged after seeing I need to memorize over 100 algorithms for all cases and I know there's the intuitive method and all, but is it viable or do you just end up memorizing the algorithms?

No need to be discouraged, Just do intuitive F2L with a few algs for special cases, 2 Look OLL, and 2 Look PLL, and just with that, some people can sub 20 seconds.

 

[4Chan]

Don't be discouraged about memorizing algorithms.

After you memorize a few, they don't seem like many at all.

 

[brunson]

Knowing intuitive F2L will allow you to take advantage of things like open slots which algs won't teach you. I would recommend being comfortable with intuitive, then study algs to make your intuition more optimal.

 

[d-man]

Also, pair-up & insert moves for F2L are much easier to remember if you actually understand what you're doing, instead of just doing an algorithm. Intuitive F2L is imo both faster to learn since you're easily able to mirror many cases and easier to remember. But for some special cases it's just better to learn an algorithm, since they would be annoying to solve intuitively.

edit: i have found that once i was able to solve a few oll and pll cases, i wouldn't want to solve these steps 2-look anymore because it felt so ineffective

 

[Carson]

Even though it is "called" intuitive... you will find that what you are really doing is "intuitively establishing" algorithms. If you figure out the best solution for a possible case and then look at the alg, there is a good chance it will be the same.

 

[FatBoyXPC]

Not only is Carson right, but after you do the same F2L cases (especially the more common ones) you can blindly execute them, and eventually all F2L cases end up being muscle memory, even if you didn't memorize each case's algorithm.

 

[chris410]

Even though it is "called" intuitive... you will find that what you are really doing is "intuitively establishing" algorithms. If you figure out the best solution for a possible case and then look at the alg, there is a good chance it will be the same.

I agree with Carson 100% and as a fellow new cuber I would also suggest that you practice F2L slowly which, will cause you to start learning some of the "short cuts" and develop your own algorithms as Carson stated above. Try to look for solutions at all times instead of just following one single pattern for solving.

Watch the advanced F2L video by badmephisto and although it will be too much for you now, take note at some of the cases and short-cuts. As he says in the video, make sure you have deliberate practice. Also, work on your look-ahead once you are proficient at F2L. Last week I stared to practice slowly and focus on the look-ahead and I dropped my averages by nearly 30 seconds so although going slow seems like the wrong thing to do in order to improve your time, it actually will. Lastly, search the forums on F2L, there are a lot of videos and discussions that you will find useful.

 

[capoboy]

I agree with Carson 100% too. I think that the algorithms which are available now are mostly found intuitively, except for some cases.

I would recommend you to learn the f2l slowly and figure out how the pieces move. Later, you'll see that all you do is setting the pieces to the basic patterns and plug it into the slot. I personally think that the algorithms consist of the setup moves(to make the basic patterns) and the basic pattern moves.

try cubefreak.net or cubestation.co.uk

 

[minsarker]

Ya I also do intuitive F2L, but my times arent WR by any means

And basically, I can't even begin to name algorithms or what I do for F2L because its become muscle memory on top of being intuitive in the first place. As for OLL and PLL, I forgot the algorithms too because its muscle memory now. But what helped me when I was learning was to watch what the cube does with the algorithm. I would watch the f2l edge corner block move around and see what the algorithm did. Helped me learn at least.

 

[ElderKingpin]

its your choice. things like "is this better then.. this" is something of preference really, its the same with "what hand do i solve OH with?" its your choice. Some people might have similar choices, but in the end, its what you want and what is easier for you

 

[rubiknewbie]

If "intuitive" F2L is defined as algorithms that can pair up 2 pieces in 3 or 4 moves from any slot, then I mostly use intuitive F2L.

The ones that require algorithms are mostly where the pieces are together and both in the F2L and that one with both at the top and same colors at the side.

 

[Zane_C]

Well, the way I did it was:

I first learnt the 42 F2L cases as algorithms, then after experimenting I gradually learnt how they all worked and then I did F2L intuitively.

As for the last layer, I learnt 2 look (2 step) OLL, then I learnt all the 21 PLL algorithms.

Today I just finished learning full OLL.

 

[Litz]

Thanks for the help everyone.

As you suggested, I'll keep on learning intuitive F2L for now, and then 2 look OLL/PLL since I won't need to memorize so many algorithms and then I'll just work on the rest of algorithms when I'm comfortable with this method.

 

[sz35]

I use intuitive F2L and algs for some awkward cases.
For OLL&PLL you should learn 2-look for each and than move to full PLL