Should stickerless cubes be allowed in WCA competition?

[Ickathu]

Why are they any different than 3x3s? You can still see the colors on the backside of pieces.

 

[WBCube]

Why are they any different than 3x3s? You can still see the colors on the backside of pieces.

One could start to make the argument where if the times are getting around world record status, they already have the solve planned out in inspection, so it wouldn't matter if they could see a bit on the sides. But I wouldn't really agree with that, it's essentially the same as 3x3

 

[Kirjava]

One could start to make the argument where if the times are getting around world record status, they already have the solve planned out in inspection

no, they couldn't possibly do so.

 

[LarryLunchmeat]

If you think stickerless cubes should be illegal, have you considered this as well?

I agree that if I stare at a stationary stickerless cube I can tell what colour is on the back. The only problem with this is that in the heat of a solve, when pieces are flying around so quickly, my brain can't accurately decipher what colour is on the backside by seeing only a small sliver of colour for a split second. Think about when you're doing F2L. You're not actually looking at every single piece individually.. You're using peripherals and looking at multiple pieces at once. In order for me to use the "back piece peek trick" I basically have to look directly at the top/back piece for a second and totally kill my solve flow.

My other issue; I have a set of half brights on one of my cubes and I can tell what colour is on the backside of the cube by the reflection of the fluorescent sticker on my index finger. Are they going to ban fluorescent stickers now, because technically I can now see four sides at once?

IMO, it takes more time to look at the reflection on my index finger and decipher it as a colour, rather than just make a "U" and see it legitimately, and I say the same thing applies to stickerless. Maybe I'm just not a good enough solver to process it quick enough, but I say that if someone is good enough to actually use this "trick" to their advantage, then all the power to them.

One last thing.. When people say it's an unfair advantage if someone uses a stickerless cube because of the extra lookahead thing. But how is it an unfair advantage if anyone is free to use one?
To me that's like saying that we shouldn't be allowed to use cubes with torpedoes because people that use torpedoes would have an extra advantage over non torpedo users.

 

[Bob]

That poor dead horse...being beaten again. :\

 

[LarryLunchmeat]

lol. All I'm saying is that I can see the back colour reflection when I use half-brites.

 

[Noahaha]

Your second argument isn't so valid. There's a huge difference between changes in how a puzzle feels/performs and how a puzzle looks. Also you could use that argument to support any cosmetic changes to a puzzle, but then you run into trouble when people have to switch to the new thing to be the best, which is ok for the feel of a cube, but people should never have to change what their cubes look like.

Your first argument I agree with, but Megaminx tiles are a much better example of something more unfair than stickerless cubes that is allowed.

 

[kunparekh18]

I can see the future. I see this thread being revived and many people posting in it, leading to an argument-sort-of.

My opinion is to not allow stickerless cubes. The four-side advantage thing is my reason.

 

[JF1zl3]

Question, and I am going to do this regardless of the answer, most likely.
If I were to put stickers on a stickerless cube, then dye it black, then after drying it remove the stickers (thus preserving the original color where the sticker was), would that be legal in competition?

 

[kunparekh18]

Question, and I am going to do this regardless of the answer, most likely.
If I were to put stickers on a stickerless cube, then dye it black, then after drying it remove the stickers (thus preserving the original color where the sticker was), would that be legal in competition?

That would make it a painted cube like the Dian Sheng 3x3s, which I think would be allowed.

 

[JF1zl3]

That would make it a painted cube like the Dian Sheng 3x3s, which I think would be allowed.

Neat
I can't wait to try this lol.

 

[KrisM]

Honestly, at a world class level, I don't think stickerless cubes have been proven superior to stickered cubes, in means of better times. I think banning this type of puzzle from competitions is silly... and I think many other people do too. But hey, I haven't made the rules, so I respect those who have.

 

[somerandomkidmike]

If stickerless cubes were allowed in competition, I would still use stickered cubes. I see no statistically significant advantage of using my stickerless zhanchi, and I prefer the feel of other cubes.

 

[insane569]

Question, and I am going to do this regardless of the answer, most likely.
If I were to put stickers on a stickerless cube, then dye it black, then after drying it remove the stickers (thus preserving the original color where the sticker was), would that be legal in competition?

Yea thats aloud. There is another cube like this that I cant remember. Had a funky design. A skeleton that held pieces of plastic that made the stickers. Props to anyone who can find it.

 

[qqwref]

There is another cube like this that I cant remember. Had a funky design. A skeleton that held pieces of plastic that made the stickers. Props to anyone who can find it.

I believe you're thinking of the new version of the official Rubik's cube (http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?40444-Rubik-Cube-2-0).

Anyway, I'm not sure there is a noticeable advantage to stickerless cubes, but I can understand why they would disallow them. Consistency and such.

 

[Kattenvriendin]

Question, and I am going to do this regardless of the answer, most likely.
If I were to put stickers on a stickerless cube, then dye it black, then after drying it remove the stickers (thus preserving the original color where the sticker was), would that be legal in competition?

That depends.

If the internals are dyed as well, then it is allowed. If you only dye the outside of the cubies (so the bits that have the stickers) then it will not be allowed as you still have the half turn peeking option.

 

[speedpicker]

Yea thats aloud. There is another cube like this that I cant remember. Had a funky design. A skeleton that held pieces of plastic that made the stickers. Props to anyone who can find it.

I think you are recalling the original Gans cube: http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.3x3x3_pvc_type_a_gans_puzzle_magic_cube_black-37517

Theres a pic of the internals there.

 

[mati1242]

Odp: Should stickerless cubes be allowed in WCA competition?

;O
I see this cube for the first time. Never saw it before.

Wysyłane z mojego GT-I8160 za pomocą Tapatalk 2

 

[Kattenvriendin]

I've got one. It's a fun cube but not really speedcubable *giggle*

 

[insane569]

I think you are recalling the original Gans cube: http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.3x3x3_pvc_type_a_gans_puzzle_magic_cube_black-37517

Theres a pic of the internals there.

Yea thats it. Thanks for finding it.