I just dove into the deep end and got myself a Moyu 3x3.
Slowly I will be learning this beast. I find it endlessly fascinating.
The list of algorithms to memorize is overwhelming. I assume that i should just start by learning to do the first 2 layers about 1000 times. But wow. The number of permutations on that last layer is huge.
I suggest you learn the intuitive f2l method right out the gate. Itās so much better because then you donāt have to learn it later when you want to get faster. As for the algorithms, on rubicks website they have step by step instructions on how to solve the whole cube but ignore all of them except for the last couple steps. On the last couple ones they list all the algorithms you need for the last layer. What I did is just took screenshots of the algorithm pages and used them until I could remember them. I think there is like a total of 5 that you have to use in order to solve it. of course thatās not going to be as fast as remembering all 50 different algorithms but it is still pretty fast, say 40-50 seconds and then you can add to those 5 or so as you get better and faster. Just look up rubicks cube f2l tutorial. There is a bunch of really good YouTube videos on it and it is actually really easy once you understand it a little bit. Hope this helpsā:+1:
. Sorry if any of this makes no sense. Lol. If you have any questions about what I said just ask and Iāll be happy to help. I can also post some links if you canāt find the videos or algorithm sheet thingys.
1 Like
It makes a lot of sense actually. Right now Iām just solving the first cross over and over until it becomes obvious to me.then Iām adding in the 1st layer corners. I have 2 of the 3 2nd layer formulas mostly memorized, but that last layer looks overwhelming. Iāll use your suggestions to see if I can memorize just those 5 algorithms first. Thanks for the tip.
Yep no problem 
. I donāt remember how many exactly, 5 is just an estimate lol. If I think about it I only us about 4 different algorithms for the orientation and permeation both, so 4 for the entire top layer. But I donāt remember exactly. Lol
Iām tempted to do a series of videos on my newbieās progression. ;D
I also found a great set of 2 videos for the Cross and F2L by haribo41296 where he actually removed all the stickers from his cube except for the cross. In the 2nd video the top layer stickers were removed so you can more clearly see the logic behind the algorithms which solve the corner and edges at the same time. (BTW, he left all the center cube stickers so you can see the orientation of the cube)
I think I may buy a couple more cubes and remove those labels to build a pair of cross and F2L practice cubes just to focus on those moves and to understand them more clearly.
I just got a delivery of a new Moyu 2x2 (much smoother than my Rubiks brand 2x2) and the book āSpeed solving the cubeā. The progression of 3x3 methods in the book matches just what you suggested.
Quick question: since it seems that nobody uses Rubiks brand 3x3s what do you call your cube since itās not actually a Rubiks cube? There must be a better name than ā3Ć3 cubical puzzleā 
As of yesterday Iāve memorized enough algorithms to solve via the beginner method. My personal best so far was 1min 22sec which really surprised me. More commonly Iām solving in around 2 minutes.
Itās a start
1 Like
Heck yeah thatās a start! Really glad to see you are enjoying it and progressing. Nice 
. Also for your other question about what I call it, I usually just call it a rubicks cube even though itās not technically. Kinda like Windex when someone is talking about window cleaner even though itās might not technically be windex. But I suppose the proper name would be speed cube? I donāt really know. Lol.
As I learn this skill I found myself amazed yesterday when I realized that even though my solve times are between 2 and 4 minutes, Iāve completely lost the āfearā of the cube. Itās no longer a case of āHow can anyone solve this?ā Itās now āOh rats, I messed up my last layer, now I have to fix that.ā
I would not have thought that I could go from confusion to confidence (even at this low level) in a week.
Also, I got a 1:44 this morning. Followed by a 2:06 followed by a 4:07 (oops)
Yo, I can solve but my record is pretty bad at two minuets
So far : 57 solves with an average of 2:28
I think sub 1:30 is only about 400 or 500 solves away ;D
My algorithm memorization is getting more solid but Iām messing up my finger motions and locking the cube. My cube is a pretty good one (Iām using a MoFang JiaoShi MF3RS which is easily good enough for a beginner) so itās not the cubeās fault. My twist arenāt very accurate yet. Also, Iām fumbling a lot with my front face moves such as when I move a top center edge to left center: Uā Lā U L Fā L F Lā I think I just need to sit and practice front and side face finger tricks.
Less than 2 weeks in and Iām starting to clear the 2 minute mark using the beginner method more consistently. I just had a 1:33 and then I did a solve where I completely messed up my cross and had to go back and still got a 1:55.
I know these times are embarrassingly slow. But for less than 2 weeks in Iām having a blast learning this and itās so cool to see my times slowly getting faster.
Today Iāve made big progress. Still using the beginnerās method but my goal was to average less than 1:30.
Todayās times:
Average of 5 1:24.82
Average of 12 1:27.81
New Personal Best 1:02.79
Bout time!
Nicely done. I canāt even imagine being that fast. Good job!
thanks!
Anybody solve other puzzles than 2x2 and 3x3? I love Pyraminx and Square-1!
This weekend Iāve made a commitment to switch from beginnerās method [Cross, Corners, 2nd Layer edges] to CFOP [cross, F2L pair up and insert]. My times are way slower but thatās to be expected. I expect to be back to 1 minute 20 or less by the end of the week. After that Iām really expecting to be able to get below one minute by the end of the month.
I have 6 of the 7 Two Look OLL algs memorized and my last layer is getting faster and faster. I find Iām losing most of my time in the Cross and F2L. More practice is needed. ;D
Pineapple: I remember you saying that cubers solve tens of thousands of times in practice. Iām now starting to see how easily that can be true. ;D
Itās been a while. I think Iām going to start getting back into it. This first dayās been pretty bad, but Iām starting to do well again. Got a 15.64 avg of 5. Not sure if that is my record or not.