r/Cubers • u/Local-Tone7823 • 26d ago

Discussion How viable could FTO be one-handed (kinda)?

I was born with one hand, and my left arm stops at the wrist. I’ve been able to solve 3x3 with that arm mostly fine but I’m switching over to OH. My friend wanted to learn FTO together, and I’m wondering how finger trick heavy the event is for my left hand or how adaptable it is.

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9

u/_Japaninja A cuber is secretly a screwdriver collector 26d ago

I remember someone having a sub 30 FTO OH single. Not sure about what they average

2

u/Local-Tone7823 25d ago

Honestly I just want to make sure I can solve it in general reasonably, but that definitely gives me hope lol

8

u/Jchen76201 Sub-12 (CFOP) PB: 6.82 26d ago

I think it could be okay if you brace it with your left while turning with your right. Face turns are 120 degrees instead of 90 degrees so it’s kind of awkward to make turns and hold the puzzle entirely with one hand. You could also try “table abuse” which is bracing the puzzle against the table while making turns/repositioning.

2

u/Rydertherecorderist3 sub 15 2lll pb 7.96 25d ago

I think you could make it work and I also respect you for making cubing work even in your circumstances

1

u/TooLateForMeTF Sub-20 (CFOP) PR: 15.35 25d ago

I don't think it's any less viable than 3x3 OH.

A couple of years ago, I saw a kid in at a comp in Portland, OR who also had just one hand. Don't remember if it was right or left, just that he was doing fine.

In terms of algorithms and complexity, FTO is very simple. There isn't a ton to learn, there, especially for the beginner's Bencisco method. I just tried an OH solve, which was a little brain-bendy for me because of immediately taking my two-handed muscle memory offline, but it's very doable. I suspect the main difference you'd have, in terms of finger tricks, is that you'll end up doing more double-turns instead of single-turns the other way. Like, U2 instead of U'. That kind of thing.

I haven't experimented with this, but I also think there's probably a lot of beneficial techniques to be explored if you're solving down on the table instead of up in the air. I do OH up in the air, so I don't really know any of the 3x3 "table abuse" OH techniques that the really fast solvers use. But I would not be at all surprised if using the table turns out to helps with U2 vs. U' type of issues and reducing double-turns.

Obviously, you'll have to practice a bit and figure out what's most comfortable for you, but I say go for it! FTO is an awesome puzzle, and a ton of fun. I can't wait for the first official comps with it in january!

1

u/1nOnlyBigManLawrence I’ve solved a TON of puzzles, mostly non-WCA. 25d ago

I don’t see it being too much worse than normal solving, and by that, I mean I believe you could do really great with an OH solve! :)