At some point, you’re going to get good enough that you feel like you are ready to take your cubing journey to the next level. That’s where cubing competitions come in. Cubing competitions are a way for you to see how you fare against the rest of the community and meet with other cubers just like you. This article includes important information and things to know before you participate in your first competition.
Don’t Expect A lot
If you’re like most people, your first comp won’t go very well. This is because of a multitude of factors like nerves, and unfamiliarity of the competition flow. There are many ways to reduce these factors and get better results, but in general, treat your first competition like an informational event so you can get a better understanding of how competitions work.
Participate in all the Events you Know
It doesn’t matter if you average 5 minutes square-1, sign up for it anyways. There is no penalty for being slow (although if you go over a certain time, which is specified in the competition details, you will be stopped and your solve will be a DNF). The fewer events you participate in, the more you will be waiting around for your event. So even if you aren’t that good, make sure to participate in as many events as you can.
Some Important WCA Rules
There is a list of WCA regulations that competitors are “required” to read, but let’s be honest; who really reads them anyway? If you don’t want to read all the rules, here are some of the most important ones:
- If the cube is 1 move away from being solved, it is considered a +2 and 2 seconds will be added to your time
- If the cube is more than 1 move away from being solved, then it will be considered a DNF (Did Not Finish)
- Competitors may not compete in an event with the intention to do poorly. Basically, you can’t compete in an event you don’t know or just try to fail on purpose.
How to Prepare
The best way to prepare for your first competition is to buy – or if you already have one – use, a Stackmat. A Stackmat is a physical timer that is used in official competitions. It’s quite different from pressing a spacebar and it’s good to have familiarity with it before a competition. You can buy one for around $32 – $34 on Amazon and Speedcubeshop.
The Solve
When your name is called and you sit down, there will be a cover placed over the cube. When you are ready to solve, say ready and the judge will lift off the cover and you can begin inspection. After the cover is lifted, you have 15 seconds to inspect and start. The judge will say 8 seconds, and 12 seconds, and if you don’t start after 15 seconds, it will be a +2 and after 17 seconds, it will be a DNF. After your solve, the judge will give you the scorecard to sign and you can go back to the waiting area. Here’s a helpful video on how to use a Stackmat timer.
During the Competition
Ok, so you’ve arrived at the comp, all ready to get the new world record (just kidding), but there’s a problem: What Now? If your competition uses physical nametags, the first thing to do when you enter the venue is to look for the table with the nametags. Find the tag with your name on it and pick it up. Your nametag has the events you are participating in and the group in which you are solving. Next – if you’re early and your event hasn’t started yet, find a table and set your stuff down. Don’t worry if there are no empty tables, find someone to sit with. Generally, most cubers are pretty social and won’t mind sitting with a fellow cubing nerd. When your group is called, place your cube in the box with your name and find a seat in the waiting area. When your name is called, follow the delegate, sit down, do your solve, sign the scorecard, come back to the waiting area, and repeat until you have completed all your solves. If you have any questions, just ask someone around you.
Don’t Stress
It’s okay if you don’t do as well as you expected. After all, there’s always the next comp! Anyways, good luck, and remember that cubing competitions are meant to be a fun experience, so make sure to meet new people and have a good time.
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