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Original poster

Any rubix cubers about?

51 replies

NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 13:21

Thought it might be nice to have a chat thread like swimmers/gardeners do etc

I've spent the last few weeks learning the basic algorithms and am currently able to solve it in a little under 3 mins. I need to learn how to solve the first 2 layers together after the white cross but I'll give it a couple of weeks before I start that.

A new cube might help too. I've got a speed cube but it's nothing like the ones you see record breakers using. (Not planning on trying to break any records btw, just aiming for under a minute easily)

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Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 13:24

Spelling rubiks right might help Blush

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listsandbudgets · 28/01/2020 13:43

I can't do it all... however my 8 year old nephew has got it down to 26 seconds at Christmas and is apparently getting quicker Grin.

Sadly he's not on mumsnet or I'm sure he'd love to talk to you about it as much as you like :)

zen1 · 28/01/2020 13:46

Did you buy a book / look at YouTube to help you solve it OP or just work it out yourself? I remember getting a book in the 80s when they were all the rage, but never managed to do it.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Games
Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 14:07

I use online algorithms. I don't like learning moves from YouTube because you can't keep up but if you have no idea what something means it's good to watch a video to get you going. Then you just learn the names of the faces (up, down, left, right etc) and each side can be turned clockwise or anticlockwise. Then you just learn each step by memorizing algorithms. I've learnt the very basic method which doesn't require too many algorithms to be learnt but I now need to start learning the advanced ones in order to speed up.

I find it fun because it doesn't take too long. I practise for maybe 5-10 mins a day. At first just memorizing a new step every few days, now I can solve it I just solve it a couple of times to help with the muscle memory.

The people who can do it blindfolded after studying it are impressive but I don't want to dedicate enough of my life to it to do that.

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Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 14:10

list does he enter competitions? Do they even do them in the uk? (Assuming that's where he is)

Is he moving on to different cubes?

It's really good for your memory and dexterity.

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Witchend · 28/01/2020 14:10

What's the best online algorithms you've found? My ds has one and has found some of the online stuff quite frustrating.

DGRossetti · 28/01/2020 14:15

Did you see the Royal Institute Xmas lectures ?

They had a machine solve it in less than a second.

listsandbudgets · 28/01/2020 14:21

DN has several different cubes - his latest is a dodecahedron Confused

I believe he's considering competitions but not until he gets to under 20 seconds as he thinks it won't be worth even entering before that point.

He is an astonishment to the family - the rest of us barely know where to start

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Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 14:26

dgr I didn't but I'm off to Google it!

lists you are now obliged to stay on this thread and update us on his progress Grin

People think you need to be good at maths to solve it but you don't, just just need to remember the sequences depending on different permutations. It just happens that lots of people who enjoy cubing are also people who enjoy maths.

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MirandaWest · 28/01/2020 14:29

DS has a variety of cubes - his fastest time for the 3x3 is about 12 seconds and he regularly does it in around 22 or so.

Currently DH and DD are battling to see who can be quicker - think DH is winking at about 50 seconds although DD is close.

DS was trying to teach me how to do a 2x2 and I failed massively BlushGrin

FrangipaniBlue · 28/01/2020 15:16

Waves to fellow cubers!!!

I've managed to get my time under 2 minutes using the beginners method but I'm really struggling with the F2L using CFOP Confused

I'm also rubbish at finger tricks.

I've got the Rubiks speed cube but I'm told by DS that the pros apparently don't use the Rubiks branded one, although I'm not sure what they actually do use instead?

Have you see video of the German twin brothers going head to head in the semi final (I think) of the world championships - separated by one hundredth of a second!!!

RoyalChocolat · 28/01/2020 15:37

DS13 solves it in under 10 seconds. He has a huge collection of cubes. He is also quite good at solving them blindfolded.

I am not even going to try!

enjoyingscience · 28/01/2020 15:41

Another one here with a DS who can, but I definitely can’t! I’d love to learn in secret just to see his face Grin

Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 17:31

I'm so pleased to see so many people are cubing (even if mostly your kids). Anyone with a kid who can really should learn in secret to shock them.

Just learn one step a week. It's honestly not an hard as you'd think.

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Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 28/01/2020 17:32

fran what about f2l is getting you? That's what I need to tackle next. I've read it should half my time.

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neddle · 28/01/2020 17:37

I bought a GoCube last year and I love it. It’s smooth and you can flick it to make solving faster.

BethanyGilbert · 28/01/2020 17:43

I’ve only got DD’s unicorn one. However someone I used to go to school with was British champion at one point.

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 28/01/2020 18:10

Ooh ooh me I can do it. I learnt a couple of years ago and could do it in under 2 minutes but then I forgot how to do it 
But I've learnt again now but I'm not very fast anymore.
3 of my kids can do it too. It's really not that hard once you've learnt the algorithms.

We've got that one @listsandbudgets it is literally impossible Confused

This is a good one to get, you solve it the same as a normal cube but it looks very impressive when you can solve it!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mirror-Puzzle-LSMY-Special-shaped-Silver/dp/B01CBUGUQE/ref=mpssa113?keywords=mirror+rubik+cube&qid=1580234822&sr=8-3

FrangipaniBlue · 28/01/2020 22:52

@NeilTheBaby I can't get it to work lol I think it's the instructions I'm using, which website/tutorial did you use?

newyeardelurker · 28/01/2020 23:01

Ooh I'm the family solver, but nowhere near the times others in this thread do. Once in the 80s I solved 3 in the school lunch queue. Now I can complete in anything from 5 mins to an hour or more. Never researched, no algorithms just get the corners first. Smile

Dowser · 29/01/2020 00:17

Wow those times are incredible
My grandson does it in under 2 minutes
I can’t even begin to fathom it

Original poster
NeilTheBaby · 29/01/2020 22:32

fran it is just instructions. I just typed in rubiks cube solve and loads of websites come up. I ignore the ones which want you to actually type in your cube so it can tell you the moves but choose the ones with instructions.

My new cube arrived today. It's sooo smooth it's crazy. 2m14 is now my best. Definitely need to start on f2l on the weekend.

new rather than corners try layers. White, layer one, layer 2, yellow, layer 3

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FrangipaniBlue · 29/01/2020 22:37

I think I've worked it out - but it doesn't seem any quicker! I feel like I'm doing more moves Hmm

Practise makes perfect I guess Grin

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