First, the old type with rear intake is not produced any more.
Choking is not difficult at all, just flip the prop while closing the muffler exit.
With the front intake, it is easier to set up the engine in a nice 4-stroking pace and full two-stroking power in the uplines, due to the larger distance between spray bar and fuel level. The front intake is also less sensitive to ram pressure build up at the carb mouth, which may cause the engine to lean out in level flight.