3x3x3 Speedcubing Methods

From Speedsolving.com Wiki

Because of the popularity and relative simplicity of the 3x3x3 cube, there are a large number of methods out there. The most common and fast will be explored in this article.

Basic Methods

Basic methods require very few algorithms and little practice, but they also have a high move count and are very difficult to get fast times with. These methods are good for teaching people who have never solved a Rubik's Cube before.

In the Layer-By-Layer method, the solver finishes the layers one at a time: the first layer, edges then corners; then the second layer edges; and finally the last layer. This is the most common method for new cubers to discover on their own.

In the Corners First style, the corners are all solved, and then the edges and centers are filled in. This is a very easy method to learn, and it has many variations.

Intermediate Methods

Intermediate methods are very popular because they are quite fast without requiring extensive knowledge or memorization. They have a moderate move count (although they can be heavily optimized) and are good for cubers who have mastered a basic method.

The Fridrich Method is the most popular speedcubing method. First the bottom layer edges are solved, then the first two layers are filled in either using intuition or slotting in each corner edge pair using one of 41 "algorithms", and finally the top layer is oriented and permuted in seperate steps using one each of 21 PLL's or 57 OLL's.

The ZZ Method is a variation of Fridrich where the edges are all oriented in the first step, allowing for more fingertricks and fewer cube rotations.

The Petrus Method is the second-most popular speedcubing method. The cuber creates a 2x2x2 block and expands it to a 2x2x3 block, then orients all of the remaining edges and finishes the first two layers with U and R turns only. Finally the last layer is finished in three steps. Most Petrus users finish the last layer in two steps using OLL then PLL.

The MGLS Method is another way to deal with the transition between F2L and LL. After the F2L minus a corner-edge pair has been created (this first part can be done with Fridrich, Petrus, Heise, etc.), there are three algorithmic steps: insert the F2L edge and orient the LL edges, insert the F2L corner and orient the LL corners, and then PLL.

The Roux Method is a hybrid block-building and corners first method. Two opposite 1x2x3 blocks are made; then, the last four corners are solved, and the last six edges are finished off intuitively.

The Waterman Method is an efficient method based on corners first methods. The cuber first finishes the first layer, then does the opposite layer's corners, and finally finishes the remaining edges in three steps.

Advanced Methods

An advanced method requires extensive memorization, understanding of intuitive blockbuilding, or both. Few people have ever mastered these methods, but they are capable of extremely low move counts and times.

The Heise Method is a very tricky block-building method that requires no algorithms at all. Four 1x2x2 blocks are created, and then paired up to finish all of the F2L minus two pieces, while also orienting the last layer edges. Then two corner-edge pairs are made and all of the edges are solved along with two corners. Finally the three remaining corners are finished with a commutator.

The ZB Method is an extension of Fridrich which requires hundreds of lengthy algorithms. After solving the F2L minus a corner-edge pair, the cube is finished in two algorithms: first the cuber finishes the F2L while orienting the LL edges, and then the cuber solves the entire LL in one step.