FAQ: Your First Speedcubing Competition

This post is about something that brings us speedcubers together like nothing else and lets us get to know each other: competitions! :) If you'd like to experience a competition for the first time, this article answers the questions newcomers ask most often.

What times do I need to take part in a competition? Do I have to be really good?

Absolutely not! Competitions are a great chance to meet other speedcubers, and you can learn a lot from them. The competitive side takes a back seat. Your results don't matter. Competitions are mainly about having fun, not winning all the time ;) You'll meet cubers of every level there. Some are professionals who solve a 3x3x3 cube in ten seconds, but there are also plenty of newcomers who use less advanced methods and take more than half a minute. Just keep in mind that competitions have time limits for solves, and some events also have a cutoff. This is a time you need to beat in your first attempts to complete your average. Limits and cutoffs are set so that beginners can manage them too, and you'll find them for each competition on its page on the WCA website.

Where can I find information about upcoming competitions?

You'll find upcoming competitions on the list of WCA competitions in Poland, on zawody4event.pl and in the event calendar of the Polish Speedcubing Association. There you can check all the competition details and register: date, venue, organisers, schedule, events and any useful tips.

Do I have to use my own cube for official solves at a competition?

Yes. At the start of each round, the announcer calls out which group should get ready to compete. When it's your turn, you take the cube you want to use for your official solves and put it on your scorecard at the scramblers' table. Then you go to the waiting area while the scramblers scramble (mix up) your cube.

How should I prepare for my first competition?

Every competitor should read the WCA Regulations, which describe all the rules for official solves. The Regulations are available on the WCA website in English and in a Polish translation. Apart from knowing the World Cube Association rules, you don't need any formal preparation. At the venue, organisers often run a short briefing for newcomers before the competition starts, where you can learn the basics of competing.

What should I pack for a competition?

Definitely bring your cubes, at least one for each event you've registered for. Your cube for official solves stays with the scramblers, so if you want to warm up before your turn, bring a second one. Before each solve, you get 15 seconds of inspection to look at the scrambled cube. Also bring some money in case you want to buy a cube or something to eat at the venue (lunch isn't always included in the registration fee). If you're going to a multi-day competition, think about accommodation and everything you'll need for an overnight stay.

What can I do at a competition when I'm not solving officially?

Meet other cubers! :) Chat with people who, like you, are sitting at the tables waiting for their round. Ask if you can try their cube. Oh, and if you're thinking about buying new gear, you can always find someone at the competition who already has the cube you're looking for and try it yourself. That way you're not buying a pig in a poke, because you already know what to expect :)

Is it worth going to competitions?

There's no single answer to this question, but speedcubers generally agree that it's worth a try. In most cases, competitions attract newcomers to cubing more strongly than the magnets in magnetic cubes attract the pieces ;) If you've never solved officially, go to a competition! Besides the memories, you'll also get a souvenir: a WCA profile. This is a dedicated web page that records all your official results, which you can later show to others. You can also edit the profile later, for example by adding your own photo. Don't miss the chance to get to know the speedcubing community from the inside. Competitions are held quite often in Poland, by the way. See for yourself whether they give you extra motivation to train, so that one day you can stand on the podium at a national or European championship :) Good luck!

If you're just starting out, check out our free solving courses, which cover all WCA events.