Fig: 2nd PC bag structure. Includes DPC Recovery, which involves placing the extra piece in a specific spot compatible with a DPC setup.

It is important to save good pieces for 2nd. Saved pieces are those not used in solve.
In general, 2nd PC has three categories based on parity:

• Has T 2nd - Good 2nd. 100%. Typically easy and good saves for 3rd/DPC.
• No T, even JL 2nd - Still good, but sometimes tricky 2nd. 100%. Typically difficult and slightly worse saves for 3rd/DPC.
• No T, odd JL 2nd - Bad 2nd. No 100%. Bad saves for 3rd/DPC. Avoid at all costs.

In short, try not to use T piece in the 1st PC solve.

* Technically what is a good save may differ slightly based on whether you want to follow up with 3rd or DPC.

Recommended Setups

• ⭐ - Minimal setup (for Recommended 2nd). You must learn these.

Setups on this page are ordered in a logical order which roughly, but not exactly, corresponds to average scoring.

Has T, odd JL 2nd

- TIJO, TIJS, TIJZ, TJOS, TJOZ, TJSZ, (+ TIJL*)

* Some setups can fit in both Has T, odd JL and Has T, even JL categories depending on T orientation.

Has T, even JL 2nd

- TIOS, TISZ, TJLO, TJLS, TOSZ, (+ TIJL*)

* Some setups can fit in both Has T, odd JL and Has T, even JL categories depending on T orientation.

No T, even JL 2nd

- IJLO, IJLS, IJSZ, JLOS, JLOZ

Bad 2nd (No T, odd JL 2nd)

Bad 2nd is bad and should be avoided at all costs. Save a better piece on 1st if you can.

- IJOS, IJOZ, IJSZ, JOSZ

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Tub 2nd

⭐ Tub 3p (Hold I) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TIJS 2nd
• TIJL 2nd (when possible)

⭐ Tub 3p (Hold I) 2nd Minimals (2)

Tub 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra (4)

Tub 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra Save O (4)

Always hold the I-piece when you can. Makes finding Save O and Tet solves much easier.

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⭐ Tub + Vertical I 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TJSZ 2nd
• ⭐ TIJL 2nd (when Tub 3p (Hold I) not possible)
• TIJZ 2nd (when possible)

Better saves than Tub + Horizontal I 2nd, but harder to solve.

⭐ Tub + Vertical I 2nd Minimals (7)

Tub + Vertical I 2nd Extra (7)

Tub + Vertical I 2nd Extra Save O (7)

Rather than memorising minimals, it's easier to just solve box using a larger number of simple solves.
The last 180 minimal is the only one you need to memorise.

Tub + Vertical I 2nd has 0.24% forced save I. These queues are OSZ<I<JL<T. This solve requires 180:

Fig: Tub + Vertical I forced save I minimal 180 spin.

Forced save I can be avoided by placing O at the wall:

Sometimes it's possible to get extra Tet with 180:

Fig: Tub + Vertical I Tet 180 spin.

🩹 Tub + Vertical I on the wrong side 2nd Complementary Recovery

If you build Tub + Vertical I on the wrong side, those 0.24% forced save I queues actually become fail queues. In that case, use this recovery:

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Tub + Horizontal I 2nd

Simpler to solve than Tub + Vertical I 2nd, but worse saves.

Tub + Horizontal I 2nd Minimals (2)

Tub + Horizontal I 2nd Extra (4)

Tub + Horizontal I 2nd Extra Save O (2)

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⭐ Broken Tub 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TIJZ 2nd (when Tub + Vertical I not possible)

⭐ Broken Tub 2nd Minimals (4)

Broken Tub 2nd Extra (9)

Broken Tub 2nd Extra Save O (3)

The above three simple save O solves bring save O chance to 87.14%. Other solves not listed here exist (see Unique Solves).

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⭐ Tub 3p (Hold O) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TJOS 2nd

⭐ Tub 3p (Hold O) 2nd Minimals (7)

Tub 3p (Hold O) 2nd Extra Save O (10/18)

Partially symmetrical setup.

Rather than memorising minimals, it's easier to just solve box using a larger number of simple solves.
The last 180 minimal is the only one you need to memorise.

Box practice. Pay attention to pieces needed to fill skimmed row. If you have TS/TZ, you can skim row 3. Otherwise you'll only be able to skim row 2.

Tub 3p (Hold O) 2nd has 0.95% forced 180 solve. These queues are IOSZ<JL<T. This solve requires 180:

Fig: Tub 3p (Hold O) forced 180 minimal 180 spin.

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🦊 TIJO Early S Save O qb 2nd

🦊 TIJO Early S Save O qb 2nd qb (1)

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⭐ Heart + PCO 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TJOZ 2nd

Very difficult to solve without a method.

TIJO 2nd, TIJZ 2nd: Can mirror.

🦊 Heart + PCO 2nd Save O qb/oqb (1)

TIJO 2nd, TIJZ 2nd: Can mirror.

TJOS 2nd, TJOZ 2nd, TJSZ 2nd: Can mirror.

Chances of getting an easy solve are improved with 3p if you can hold T-piece and/or spot a compatible queue and place it out of order to achieve the same solve.
Use this in combination with mirror to improve your chances.

Heart + PCO 2nd Minimals (9)

Heart + PCO 2nd Extra Save O (9)

Assuming you're following up with DPC, look for solves in the following order:

1. Save O Tet solves (minimals 1-2)
2. Save O JLSZ qb skims (minimal 3, extras 2-4)
3. Save O JLT qb skims (minimal 4, extras 5)
4. Save S 3x4 box annoying minimals (minimals 5-6)
5. Save S 5x4 box (minimals 7-8)
6. Save T 5x4 box (minimals 9)

Space divisions make finding solves simpler:

Box solves

Annoying minimals

JLSZ qb skims

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Factory 2nd

Factory 2nd is a setup family. Factory setups vary depending on whether space divisions are connected to the central box segment or disconnected.
Factory variants with O space connected to box space can use solves that span the space division boundary. Always build one of these variants.
Factory variants with O space connected to box space can use 180 solve that makes use of the side being only 2 high.
Factory variants with T space connected to box space can use 180 solve that makes use of the side being only 3 high.

Always build variants with O space connected to box space.

Factory variants with O space connected to box space can use solves that span the space division boundary:

⭐ Factory OT (100%) 2nd

Factory OT (100%) 2nd Minimals (7)

Factory OT (100%) 2nd Extra (2)

Factory variants with O space connected to box space can use 180 solve that makes use of the side being only 2 high:

Fig: Factory OT/OX variants-exclusive 180 spin.

Factory variants with T space connected to box space can use 180 solve that makes use of the side being only 3 high:

Fig: Factory OT/TX variants-exclusive 180 spin.

All Factory variants can use this 180 to increase Tet chance:

Fig: Factory universal 180 spins.

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Factory OX (99.68%) 2nd

Factory OX (99.68%) 2nd Minimals (8)

Factory OX (99.68%) 2nd Extra (1)

Factory variants with O space connected to box space can use 180 solve that makes use of the side being only 2 high:

Fig: Factory OT/OX variants-exclusive 180 spin.

All Factory variants can use this 180 to increase Tet chance:

Fig: Factory universal 180 spins.

Fail queues are a subset of IOSZ<JL<T.

🩹 Factory 2nd Complementary Recovery

Depending on which column you placed the first O, you will be able to go into S Recovery DPC (at the wall) or S Recovery DPC (in the middle).
Just be careful not to clog the holes for T and second of J/L with S/Z you dumped on top.

This recovery can also be used to avoid the forced save I minimals.

Factory O in the middle 2nd Complementary Recovery (1)

Factory O at the wall 2nd Complementary Recovery (1)

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⭐ TJLS 3p (Hold J) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TJLS 2nd

⭐ TJLS 3p (Hold J) 2nd Minimals (2)

TJLS 3p (Hold J) 2nd Extra (7)

TJLS 3p (Hold J) 2nd Simple Extra Save O (3)

Not symmetrical! Trying to mirror may result in T being impossible to place after JS have already been placed.

Other extra save O solves exist. Not listed because of their difficulty. Full list can be found here: Save O Minimals ↗️.

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🦊 Hat + Mound Early S qb 2nd

Use for:

• TIOS 2nd (when possible)

🦊 Hat + Mound Early S Save O qb 2nd qb (1)

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🦊 Hat + Broken Mound Early Z qb 2nd

• TIOS 2nd (when possible)

🦊 Hat + Broken Mound Early Z Save O qb 2nd qb (1)

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⭐ Mound + IO 3p (Hold O) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TIOS 2nd (when qb not possible)

⭐ Mound + IO 3p (Hold O) 2nd Minimals (5)

Mound + IO 3p (Hold O) 2nd Extra (8/16)

Mound + IO 3p (Hold O) 2nd Simple Extra Save O (2/4)

Partially symmetrical setup. Can always hold O and partially mirror setup to improve score, saves, and make the setup easier to solve.

Most of the time you will be able to build the TS0+Tet extra solve (often without the spin/Tet) or one of the first 2/4 extra save O solves.

Other extra save O solves exist. Not listed because of their difficulty. Full list can be found here: Save O Minimals ↗️.

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TISZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd

Use for:

• TISZ 2nd (when possible)

⭐ TISZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd Minimals (2)

TISZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra (1)

TISZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra Save O (2)

Symmetrical setup. Mirror when possible based on early J/L (needs to be under T in first minimal or under I for extra save O minimals).

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⭐ TISZ Hat 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TISZ 2nd (when 3p possible)

⭐ TISZ Hat 2nd Minimals (2)

TISZ Hat 2nd Extra (1)

TISZ Hat 2nd Extra Save O (1)

Symmetrical setup. Can mirror. Mirror based on early J/L (needs to be under Z in first minimal).

Extra Save O solve can be used as Save O qb with mirrored setup (need J/L for skim)

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⭐ TJLO 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TJLO 2nd

TJLO 2nd Minimals (2)

Symmetrical setup. Don't need to mirror.

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⭐ TOSZ 3p (Hold Z) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ TOSZ 2nd

TOSZ 3p (Hold Z) 2nd Minimals (3)

TOSZ 3p (Hold Z) 2nd Extra (3)

TOSZ 3p (Hold Z) 2nd Extra Save O (2)

Symmetrical setup. Don't need to mirror.
Can mirror for chance of better solve.

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2L (Into No O 6th) 2nd

Use for:

• IJLO 2nd (when possible)

IJLOO 2nd 2L on IJLO 2nd leads into No O 6th.

Same 2L taken on a different 2nd will lead to Dupe 6th.

Other 2Ls will also typically lead to Dupe 6th.

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⭐ Horizontal Box 3p (Hold I) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ IJLO 2nd (when 2L not possible)
• ⭐ IJLS 2nd

⭐ Horizontal Box 3p (Hold I) 2nd Minimals (6/11)

Horizontal Box 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra (3/6)

Partially symmetrical setup.

Other extra save O solves exist. Not listed because of their difficulty. Full list can be found here: Save O Minimals ↗️.

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⭐ IOSZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ IOSZ 2nd

* stats for correct mirror (combined with stats for mirrored version for queues with L and no J among first 4)

⭐ IOSZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd Minimals (6)

IOSZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra (2)

IOSZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd Extra Save O (1)

Symmetrical setup. Must mirror to retain 100% solve rate.
All fail queues include LOSZ.
If you see only J, build as shown.
If you see only L, mirror the setup.
If you see both or neither, build on either side.
A good way to remember which side to build on is to imagine the J piece fitting on top of the OSZ 3p:

However the piece isn't fixed there. That space can be filled by IJ or LO.

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⭐ JLSZ 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ JLSZ 2nd

⭐ JLSZ 2nd Minimals (8)

JLSZ 2nd Extra (1)

JLSZ 2nd Simple Extra Save T (1)

Symmetrical setup. Don't need to mirror.
Can mirror for chance of better solve.

Space divisions make finding solves simpler:

Other extra save O solves exist. Not listed because of their difficulty. Full list can be found here: Save O Minimals ↗️.

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⭐ Horizontal Box 3p (Hold O) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ JLOS 2nd

⭐ Horizontal Box 3p (Hold O) 2nd Minimals (9)

Horizontal Box 3p (Hold O) 2nd Extra (2)

Almost always can place O in the middle. Only exception are the last two minimals, which require 180 utilising O in the other corner:

Fig: Box + O 2nd 180 spin. J can only be spun in before second O has been placed.

Fig: Box + O 2nd 180 spin. L can only be spun in before I has been placed.

Partially symmetrical setup. Place O on the other side if you can get a better solve.

Other extra save O solves exist. Not listed because of their difficulty. Full list can be found here: Save O Minimals ↗️.

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⭐ Cactus 3p (Hold J) 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ IJOZ 2nd

⭐🩹 Cactus 3p (Hold J) 2nd Complementary Recovery (1)

When no solve, it is always possible to build recovery into O DPC residue.

⭐ Cactus 3p (Hold J) 2nd Minimals (13)

Cactus 3p (Hold J) 2nd Extra (1)

Other extra save O solves exist. Not listed because of their difficulty. Full list can be found here: Save O Minimals ↗️.

(🩹 Cactus 3p (Hold J) 2nd Full Recovery (8))

J can be spun in with 180 after O has been placed:

Fig: Cactus 2nd recovery J spin sequence.

This recovery into O DPC can always be built.
First recovery covers all fail queues. You likely don't need most of these since the setup is 98.37%.
They're also good to know as save O solves.

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Heart + Butter Tower 2nd

Use for:

• IJOS 2nd (when possible)

⭐🩹 Heart + Butter Tower 2nd Complementary Recovery (2)

When no solve, it is always possible to build recovery into O DPC residue.

⭐ Heart + Butter Tower 2nd Minimals (17)

Heart + Butter Tower 2nd Extra (1)

Heart + Butter Tower 2nd Extra Save O (6)

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Shoe + Vertical I 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ IJSZ 2nd

⭐⭐ Shoe + Vertical I 2nd Complementary Recovery (3)

When no solve, it is always possible to build recovery into O DPC residue.

⭐ Shoe + Vertical I 2nd Minimals (15)

Shoe + Vertical I 2nd Extra Save O (6)

Space divisions make finding solves simpler:

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⭐ Shoe + O 2nd

Use for:

• ⭐ IJOS 2nd (when Heart + Butter Tower not possible)
• ⭐ JOSZ 2nd

⭐🩹 Shoe + O 2nd Complementary Recovery (1)

When no solve, it is always possible to build recovery into T DPC residue with a series of skims.

⭐ Shoe + O 2nd Minimals (12)

Shoe + O 2nd Extra Save O (0)

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Sneakers (Split) 2nd

🦊 Sneakers (Split) 2nd Save O qb/oqb (1)

Chances of getting an easy solve are improved with 3p if you can hold S/Z-piece and/or spot a compatible queue and place it out of order to achieve the same solve.

⭐🩹 Sneakers (Split) 2nd Complementary Recovery (1)

When no solve, it is always possible to build recovery into T DPC residue with a series of skims.

⭐ Sneakers (Split) 2nd Minimals (3)

Sneakers (Split) 2nd Extra Save O (1)

Building Sneakers (Split) sometimes requires using kicks:

Fig: IJOS 2nd Sneakers (Split) I-spin. Grey ▄█▄ shows piece orientation for clarity.

Fig: JOSZ 2nd Sneakers (Split) S-spin. Grey ▄█▄ shows piece orientation for clarity.

Sneakers (Early T) is 100% PC with T in first 4 pieces on Bag 3.

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Sneakers 2nd

⭐🩹 Sneakers 2nd Complementary Recovery (2)

When no solve, it is always possible to build recovery into T DPC residue with a series of skims:

Fig: Sneakers J skim recovery.

Fig: Sneakers ZI skim recovery.

⭐ Sneakers 2nd Minimals (3)

Building Sneakers sometimes requires using kicks:

Fig: IJOS 2nd Sneakers I-spin. Grey ▄█▄ shows piece orientation for clarity.

Fig: IJSZ 2nd Sneakers I-spin. Grey ▄█▄ shows piece orientation for clarity.

Fig: IJSZ 2nd Sneakers S-spin. Grey ▄█▄ shows piece orientation for clarity.

Sneakers is 100% PC with T in first 4 pieces on Bag 3.

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Changelog

2023-07-20
• Created Recommended 2nd PC page
• Added Has T, odd JL 2nd recommended setups
• Added recommended setup - Tub 3p (Hold I) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Tub + Vertical I 2nd
• Added optional setup - Tub + Horizontal I 2nd
• Added recommended setup - TIJO Early S Save O qb 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Broken Tub 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Heart + PCO 2nd
• Added optional setup - Factory OT (100%) 2nd
• Added optional setup - Factory OX (99.68%) 2nd
• Added Has T, even JL 2nd recommended setups
• Added recommended setup - TJLS 3p (Hold J) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Hat + Mound Early S qb 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Hat + Broken Mound Early Z qb 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Mound + IO 3p (Hold O) 2nd 2nd
• Added recommended setup - TISZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - TISZ Hat 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Tub 3p (Hold O) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - TJLO 2nd
• Added recommended setup - TOSZ 3p (Hold Z) 2nd
• Added No T, even JL 2nd recommended setups
• Added recommended setup - 2L (Into No O 6th) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Horizontal Box 3p (Hold I) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - IOSZ 3p (Hold I) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - JLSZ 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Horizontal Box 3p (Hold O) 2nd
• Added Bad 2nd (No T, odd JL 2nd) recommended setups
• Added recommended setup - Cactus 3p (Hold J) 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Heart + Butter Tower 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Shoe + Vertical I 2nd
• Added recommended setup - Shoe + O 2nd
• Added optional setup - Sneakers (Split) 2nd
• Added optional setup - Sneakers 2nd