2-Look PLL
The fourth and final step of the CFOP method includes swapping around every last layer piece to complete the Rubik’s cube. This step is known as PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer). It consists of 21 algorithms, which are challenging to memorise. Just like OLL, we can also make the PLL stage of the CFOP method so much easier to learn, by breaking it down into two stages.
Stage 1 – Permutate the CORNERS
Stage 2 – Permutate the EDGES
This approach is called 2-look PLL, and only requires you to learn 6 algorithms! There are two cases for permuting the edge pieces of the top layer, and four cases for orienting the corner pieces. It’s far more efficient to execute two algorithms than to use a beginner’s method approach. I highly recommend you learn these 6 easy sequences of moves before attempting to memorise all 21 cases.
Stage 1 - Permutate the last layer CORNERS:
Your cube will show one of these 2 possibilities for how the yellow corner pieces are swaped: Adjacently / Diagonally
ADJACENTLY SWAPPED CORNERS:
If your cube has a single side with matching headlights, hold that solved side on the left, and perform this algorithm:
R U R’ F’ (R U R’ U’) R’ F R2 U’ R’
DIAGONALLY SWAPPED CORNERS:
If your cube has zero sides containing matching headlights, hold the cube in any direction to perform this algorithm:
F R U’ R’ U’ R U R’ F’ (R U R’ U’) (R’ F R F’)
Stage 2 - Permutate the last layer EDGES:
Your cube will show one of these 4 possibilities for how the yellow edge pieces are positioned: Clockwise-3-cycle / Anticlockwise-3-cycle / Opposite-swap / Adjacent-swap
3 EDGES CYCLING CLOCKWISE:
If your cube has one solved side, with the three unsolved edges needing to cycle clockwise (with the opposite edge on the left), hold the solved edge piece on the back to perform this algorithm:
R2 U R U R’ U’ R’ U’ R’ U R’
3 EDGES CYCLING ANTICLOCKWISE:
If your cube has one solved side, with the three unsolved edges needing to cycle anticlockwise (with the opposite edge on the right), hold the solved edge piece on the back to perform this algorithm:
R U’ R U R U R U’ R’ U’ R2’
OPPOSITE EDGE SWAP:
If your cube has zero permuted edges, with each edge needing to be opposite, hold your cube in any direction, and perform this algorithm:
M2’ U M2’ U2 M2’ U M2’
ADJACENT EDGE SWAP:
If your cube has zero permuted edges, with edges needing to be swapped adjacently, hold your cube so that the edges we’re going to swap are on the front right. Perform this algorithm:
M2’ U M2’ U M’ U2 M2’ U2 M’
Congratulations on successfully learning two-look PLL on the Rubik’s Cube! Keep practising these 6 algorithms over and over again, until they reach your muscle memory. Try timing yourself at solving the Rubik’s cube while implementing the 2-look PLL strategy. With each attempt, your recognition will gradually speed up, and so will your times 