Source
r/Cubers•
Scrambies

Where to start?

So I want to learn how to speedsolve a 3x3 cube. Right now I only know how to do the layer by layer method. I've read that the best "next step" would be Fridrich method. However, when I learned LBL I learned to do it from the top layer down, not from the bottom layer up. So even if I want to learn the Fridrich method, I would essentially need to relearn any algorithms that I already know. I think what I'm getting at is: would I be better off learning a different intermediate method since I would need to learn it from scratch anyway?

TLDR: Learned LBL backwards. Should I still try to learn Fridrich, or learn a new method all together?

Edit: Thanks for all the advice. I decided I might as well go all in and ordered a Dayan cube and some lube since I just have an old Rubik's brand cube right now. I figure by the time it comes I'll know badmephisto's beginners method and will be able to begin working on my solving speed.

Posted May 4, 2012, 4:30 AM UTC · edited

89
spacsm•

I don't know about anyone else, but I found this video to be highly useful when starting out. The guy explains things very well and could be just what you need. :)

6
TehEmperorOfLulzPB: 16.87 (CFOP)•

As everyone sad, Badmephisto. But, I have another hint. Both on android and iDevices, there's an app called Badmephisto. It's just an image with ALL the algs for OLL, PLL, 2-look OLL, and a beginners method. The beginners method is the one for you. Once you've mastered it, start learning the 2-look OLL along with the PLL's. I learned full 2-look OLL and PLL in one week on a holiday, using only my phone. Practice a couple hours a day, and you're a go. I'm at 40sec right now, using 2-look OLL, PLL and only just beginning to learn F2L.

Trust me, It's worth it!

4
RiftKlain•

Layer by layer can only take you to a certain level. Most speed solvers use Fridrich.

When I knew how to solve the cube in under 40sec I learnt Petrus just to get a better understanding of the f2l and get better at color neutrality.

  1. Learn Friderich.
  2. When you can solve the cube in 1-2min: learn F2L
  3. When sub 1 min: learn 2look oll and 2 look pll
3
adfoote•

You'll find that about 95 percent of the info out there is on Friderich as it's what 95 percent of people use. Also, intuitive-y methods are harder for newer people to pick up. That being said, stick with Friderich.

I can't make any links because I'm on my phone, but I suggest you go to badmephisto's YouTube page and look at his beginner method. It's damn good, and you'll probably blaze through it because all you need to do is turn your thinking upside-down. When yu feel you've mastered that, lancetheblueknight is the best YouTube place for intermediate stuff, and you should be able to pick up a solid intuitive F2L and a 4LLL from there (4LLL is 4 look last layer, its a 2 look OLL and a 2 look PLL). After that, practice. Practice your ass off. You can learn all 57 cases for full OLL but if you still can't move your fingers fast, you're still hosed. By this point youre officially in the cubing community, and should be able to go from there.

2
Chiggie•

The thing about learning Fridrich, and other solves, is that you can do it in pieces. You don't have to sit down and say, ok, no more layer by layer. I solve (not speed) with whatever makes sense for the pattern I'm looking at. So, don't think of it as dumping one method for another. Think of it as adding to the methods you know.

Maybe you'll be doing Fridrich and be halfway through something and see that your old way cuts out a step or two. That and practice I think is going to be your best friend. You start by learning algorithms based on kind of a home position but eventually your rotating the cube in space as much as you are twisting the sides.

I rotate the cube to keep up with the blocks I want so sometimes L, 'D, 2F, B turns into R, 'R, 2R, 'R with the cube rotating to keep the orientation I want. I think it's all about learning the routines and then becoming familiar with their movement as a philosophy rather than a rigid map.

More veterans cubers, feel free to complete disagree with this if you think this advice will hinder Scrambies. This is just the way I have ended up in my learning period.

2
ScrambiesOP•

Yeah you're right it's not a complete loss since I can still solve it somehow and those methods could be useful depending on the situation. I was just treating it that way because, personally, I would have an easier time just learning a new method to use altogether.

2
adfoote•

Well, doing 4 cube rotations like that is probably not a good idea, at least in speedsolving, but yes you never really drop LBL completely. I average around 17 or 18, and I still find myself using it in certain niche cases where it can be slightly modified to be much faster than the straight F2L way.

1
Chiggie•

I think I turn the cube so much because I've never gotten a speed cube. I bet if I could bump the turns instead of having to use my wrists I'd start holding it in place more often.

1
adfoote•

I say averaging around 40 is the perfect time to be getting into what exact cube you want to buy. Dayan has a line of great stuff, but don't forget the older F2 and Alpha V's, if you're so inclined. Just, fair warning: the Dayan ZhanChi is damn uncontrolable for newer cubers. It's an awesome cube, I use it as my main, but sometimes it feels like the lubricant is on the outside rather than the inside. Not that it's got bad stickers or anything, but sometimes, if you're not at the stage where you're thinking ahead, your mind goes faster than your fingers.

1