Speedcubing

Your first WCA competition: events, average of 5, inspection and cutoffs

TUREFF• •0
Speedcubing competitions are run under the rules of the World Cube Association (WCA), and almost all of them welcome first-timers. You do not need to be fast. Plenty of people enter their first competition averaging a minute or more, and the goal is simply to get an official result. Here is what happens on the day.

Finding and registering

Competitions are listed on the WCA website. You create a WCA account, pick a competition and register for the events you want. Registration often opens weeks in advance and popular competitions fill up quickly, so check early. Each competition sets its own registration fee and competitor limit. After your first competition you get a WCA ID and your results appear on the WCA site permanently.

Events

The WCA recognises a set of official events, including the 2x2 to 7x7 cubes, 3x3 one-handed, several blindfolded events, fewest moves, Megaminx, Pyraminx, Skewb, Square-1 and Clock. Each competition chooses which to hold, and small competitions may hold only a few. For a first competition, 3x3 alone is perfectly fine.

Average of 5

Most events are decided by an average of 5 (Ao5). You do five solves; the fastest and slowest are dropped, and the average of the middle three is your result. Your best single is recorded too. Some longer events use a mean of 3 or a best of 3 instead, so check the format for each event you enter.

How a solve works

  1. Your cube is taken away and scrambled out of sight, then brought to you under a cover.
  2. The judge uncovers it and starts the inspection timer.
  3. You have 15 seconds to inspect it. You may pick it up and look, but you must not turn any face. The judge calls "8 seconds" and "12 seconds" as warnings.
  4. You place your hands on the timer pads, then lift them to start, and solve.
  5. You put the cube down and stop the timer with your hands on the pads.
  6. The judge checks the cube, and you both sign the scorecard.
Under the current regulations, starting after 15 seconds of inspection but before 17 seconds adds a 2-second penalty. Starting at 17 seconds or later is a DNF (did not finish). A cube left one move away from solved also gets a +2; more than one move away is a DNF. Exact wording changes from year to year, so read the current regulations on the WCA website before you go.

Time limits and cutoffs

  • A time limit is the longest a single solve may take. If you reach it, the judge stops you and the solve counts as a DNF. Some events use a cumulative limit across all your attempts.
  • A cutoff decides whether you get all five solves. A typical arrangement is that you must beat a given time in your first one or two attempts to continue; otherwise your round ends there.
These are set per competition and per round and published on the competition page. Check them before the day, especially for big cubes, so a cutoff does not surprise you.

Rounds

Larger competitions have several rounds. A set number or proportion of competitors from each round go through to the next. Everyone gets the first round.

Judging and helping

Competitions are run by volunteers, and competitors are usually expected to help: judging, scrambling or running cubes between stations. Do not worry if you have never judged; there is usually a short tutorial, and the WCA publishes guides for new judges and competitors.

Practical tips

  • Practise with inspection: use a timer app with 15-second inspection enabled, and practise starting the timer with both hands.
  • Bring two cubes if you have them, labelled with your name.
  • Arrive early for the first-timers' briefing if there is one.
  • Expect nerves. Many people are slower than at home in their first round, and that is normal.
Are you going to your first competition, or did you just get back from one? Share your questions and stories in the comments.

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