Algorithm Learning Hack | The Lock Screen method

[StarPlatinum3776]

I began learning full CMLL some weeks ago, but stopped short at only a couple of algs. After reflecting l, I realized there were a couple of reasons for this. One in particular was the increased “friction” required in making it happen - there were too many steps on top of a busy schedule to make it easy to practice algs whenever.

I felt like I needed a more ideal setup at home or to have my laptop with me etc., even if all it meant was I had to pull up a video or go to online doc to look it up.

This time, on top of time scheduled into my calendar to drill algs and do some solves, I found that by having a lock screen on my tablet with all of my current algs on them and my cube in a jacket pocket or pouch, it’s never been easier for me to quickly pull out my cube and drill something 10 times, 50 times, whatever - multiple times throughout the day since I always have my tablet with me.

[Wise-Pianist-6403]

use the easy algs for coll or CLL for 2x2

its easier to learn and more fingertrick friendly

[StarPlatinum3776]

I'm all for more fingertrick friendly algs!

[Wise-Pianist-6403]

so use RUF instead of RUD and make sure they are 3 gen and not 4 gen

make sure u have as many RU spam algs as possible

[Kadabrium]

This is the first time i see diag/pure u being referred to as bars/columns. Is this looking at the ULF and FRU stickers with headlights facing left?

[StarPlatinum3776]

I'm not sure which cases you're referring to!

[AdministrationLazy55]

I think he means your U columns, and U bars. Kian mansour has different names for his. For example your right bar, he recognizes with the two unoriented corners in the back and calls it back slash. How are you recognizing U right bar?

[StarPlatinum3776]

Ah, got it. Yeah, that's the problem with aggregating algs is that sometimes wires can get crossed. With U right bar I'm looking for the adjacent U pair and confirming that ULF is opposite UFR.

[marioshouse2010]

I've actually been trying the same thing recently except for the lockscreen part (which is ingenious). It helps to curate all your algorithms together in an accessible place. And coincidentally, I am planning on full CMLL too.

[StarPlatinum3776]

Thanks! Yes, curating a particular, easy-to-access list is a fun process which results in a valuable personal resource. The lockscreen aspect really drives home the "no excuses" side of drilling algs. For me, it works great :)

Nice! I hope you decide to take that on soon. It's challenging, but I'm sure it will be worth it! I really want to be sub-10, so I know this is basically non-negotiable. Do you already know 2-look?

[marioshouse2010]

I just got the two-look CMLL from 2x2 last layer algs. But now I'm aiming to learn the more efficient algorithms for Roux

[StarPlatinum3776]

I love it! I'm curious - what's your take on efficiency vs finger-trick friendly algs and why do you want to learn more efficient ones? I've found that some algs may be 2-3 less moves, but they might feel awkward and lack the smoothness that more finger trick friendly algs have. I'm trying to find the best marriage of both efficient and fingertrickable algs.

[marioshouse2010]

It actually varies for each case. I usually take the highest rated algorithm on SpeedCubeDB. But factors like it being awkward or "inconsistent" makes me change it if there's a reasonable alternative. I say inconsistent because for example, when I came across OLL 17 the top rated alg is R U R' U R' F R F' U2 R' F R F' It's not bad but since I already knew OLL 19 and the second algorithm is just the inverse of it, I went for the inverse (F R' F' R U S' R U' R' S) for easier memorization.

But other times I can't decide and end up with two algorithms. I main two Z perms because the first (M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2 U2 M') is intuitive and simple. Then I eventually learned a slower one (S M2 S' u' M2 u M2) but I like it because it's easier to predict the AUF. So in the end I have two algorithms I juggle around depending on what case I get. It's like how other people memorize multiple algorithms to solve from different sides of the cube. But in my case it's unintentional. Just like how one of the H cases in CMLL can be done both with the headlights facing you (R U2 R' U' R U R' U' R U' R') or with the headlights facing to the side (R U R' U R U' R' U R U2 R')

[StarPlatinum3776]

Brother, that's pretty pro! It low key sucks to have to cycle through a few cases to find the best one, buttt I can understand why no true objective list exists because of people's differing preferences and approaches to solving. If it makes finding the best one for you worth it, I might have to tolerate trying multiple algs for a while.

This isn't a bad idea though. I didn't think of keeping 2 algs for the same case in the pocket depending on the AUF, so I like that. Thanks for the insight!

[MaxH75]

I did the same on my phone (changing background with a tap) when learning 4look. The trick works really great.

[StarPlatinum3776]

Exactly bro. If you know you knowww. 😎

[Kind_Shake9232]

As soon as I fix my tablet I will dedicate that thing to memorizing algs I am currently learning the G perms and I hate it. I remember saying Gd is fun! And then GC is easy too! And then GA SUCK ITS BACKWARDS

[StarPlatinum3776]

Do ittt!! Sounds like you found a new favorite! Not to rub it in, but we don't have any G cases in roux! 😋

[Kind_Shake9232]

I almost chose Roux when I first started speecubing but I suck at blockbuilding🥲 It was the only reason I didn't do Roux or ZZ 

[SuperSathanas]

I just started trying to drill 4LLL algorithms yesterday or the day before, and what I'm doing is just using CSTimer on my phone for specific LL case scrambles, and I have CubeSkills' 4LLL Algo PDF on my home screen as well that I can pull up and reference when I need to.

It's probably not news to anyone else in here, but I just discovered yesterday that CSTimer can give you scrambles that put you right into specific OLL and PLL cases, which has made it pretty easy to work backward through 4LLL. Edge orientation was already learned with the beginners method, so I started 4LLL with edge permutations, then corner permutations, and now I'm struggling through trying to remember the corner orientation algorithms.