Lesson 11 · 30 min
2-Look PLL: 6 algorithms
Finish any solve in two look-ups: corners then edges.
Like 2-look OLL, this is a workhorse: 6 algorithms covering all 21 PLL cases. Permute corners first (2 algs), then edges (4 algs).
Corner permutation
Look at the top layer corners. If two adjacent corners share their non-yellow sticker color (“headlights”), hold the headlights at the back and do an A-perm. If no side has headlights, do an E-perm — that happens in about 1 solve out of 6.
Edge permutation
Once corners are solved, you have 4 possible edge states: U-perm (clockwise), U-perm (counter), H-perm (opposite swap), or Z-perm (adjacent swap).
Practice algorithms
Mark each algorithm as you go. Learning means you can do it slowly with notation; Mastered means you can execute it without thinking and recognise the case from the cube.
2L PLL corners
2 algorithms
0 mastered0 learning2 untouched
Aa-perm (headlights)
pll-2l-aaHeadlights on one side: hold them at the back, cycle the other three corners
x R' U R' D2 R U' R' D2 R2 x'
E-perm (no headlights)
pll-2l-aeNo side has headlights: swaps two pairs of adjacent corners
x' R U' R' D R U R' D' R U R' D R U' R' D' x
2L PLL edges
4 algorithms
0 mastered0 learning4 untouched
Ua-perm (edge 3-cycle)
pll-2l-uaOne solved edge at the back; cycle the other three
R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2
Ub-perm (edge 3-cycle mirror)
pll-2l-ubCycle three edges the other way
R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R'
H-perm (edge swap opposite)
pll-2l-hSwap front+back edges and left+right edges
M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2
Z-perm (adjacent edge swap)
pll-2l-zSwap two pairs of adjacent edges
M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2 U2 M'