1. Know Your Cube

How to Use this Guide

 * You will be learning the layered method to solve the Rubik’s® Mini. This layered method is also used to solve the Rubik’s Cube (original 3x3) and the Rubik’s Master (4x4).
 * Throughout the guide you will see this symbol to indicate helpful tips. Take the time to read the tips closely.


 * The gray areas on the Rubik’s Mini mean that at the stage you are working on, the color of the gray pieces doesn’t matter.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

 * Learning to solve the Rubik’s Mini is easier than solving the Rubik’s Cube (original 3x3), but still a challenge.
 * The Rubik’s Mini is solved using sequences of moves known as algorithms.
 * Your Rubik’s Mini will be solved using a layered method, so you may want to try re-scrambling your Rubik’s Mini and practicing multiple times before moving on to the next layer. Soon these steps will become muscle memory.
 * Keep the Rubik’s Mini on a table or use a mat like the one here to maintain the same front face for an entire algorithm.
 * Learn songs and chants to help you memorize the algorithms.
 * Place a small sticky note on the piece of the Rubik’s Mini you are moving so you can follow its path. Consider taking a video while you do this and then watch the video.
 * Use this guide along with You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube’s corresponding resources such as videos, solving checklist, and teacher guides.
 * Mindset is critical. If you persevere, you CAN solve the Rubik’s Mini.

LAYERS
There are two horizontal LAYERS in a Rubik’s Mini.

FACES
Each flat surface is a face. There are 6 faces on a Rubik’s Mini. The UP face is on the Top Layer. The DOWN face is on the Bottom Layer.

You can place your palm flat on a face.

When solved correctly,

WHITE is opposite YELLOW, BLUE is opposite GREEN, ORANGE is opposite RED

CORNERS
The Rubik's Mini is made up of 8 corner pieces. Corner pieces have three colored tiles.

You use three fingers to touch all the sides of a corner piece.


 * Each move is a ¼ TURN.


 * An ALGORITHM is a sequence of moves that you need to do in a specific order.
 * Thnk of algorithms as moving a piece out of the way, setting up its correct position, and then moving the piece into that place.
 * When following algorithms, it is important to maintain the FRONT face of your Rubik's Mini so it stays the FRONT through all of the turns.
 * If there is a 2 next to the algorithm letter, turn the face twice.
 * A turn is clockwise when looking at that face directly. A letter with an apostrophe (') after it means to make an inverse or counterclockwise turn of the face.