I second this big time, I was hand starting at firstl. But once I wanted to keep a engine running that I was having trouble with and I tried to get to the needle valve quick and cut the ends of two of my finger. It was not a real bad cut, but I went in and bought a elect. starter the next day and have not looked back. Now if I have a problem engine or just a hard to start one, its not a problem.

But to answer the question, I find it depends on the engine. Some start better on the back flip and some start better fliping through CCW just the way they run and this may be the reason for different answers to your question. But you do need to prim it first with the glow off the engine.

Warning- Warning - Warning sticking fingers or any part of your body WITH IN THE SWING OF THE PROP, may cause injury!!!!!!!!! I just had to add that , with all the silly warning we are seeing on everything nowadays!!!!