With our generally accepted manner of starting engines, we are actually flooding them and then flipping until the flood clears out. When you open the throttle, close the choke, and then flip until it starts, the engine starts and then dies because it is flooded. Then you open the choke and flip it until the food clears out and the engine finally starts again and keeps running. (Hopefully) That's why it takes so many flips to get one running. If you can get to the carb easily, there is a better way. You open the throttle and hold your finger over the carb inlet. Make sure the switch is off, then, holding the prop firmly you slowly turn the engine over until you feel your finger get wet. Then lower the throttle to idle or just above, turn the ignition switch on, and the engine will almost always start with one good flip.
AV8TOR