# Gamers: How do you hold your controller? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 9, 2008, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313 "2008-06-09T12:13:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/1 "2008-06-09T12:13:37Z")
In another of the endless gamer debates that take place around my household it came up that I hold game controllers “wrong”. I’ll be the first to admit that I do not hold the controller like most other people but I’d like to believe that I am not alone in this world. The “normal” way is two thumbs; one on the stick or pad and the other on the buttons. I use one thumb and fingers in a habit that goes back to the NES; my fingers are more flexible than my thumb and using fingers means I can push multiple buttons at the same time more easily. The introduction of buttons on the top of the controller does make me have to shift how I hold the controller for some games but thumb and fingers is how I typically go. So am I the only one? Are you all thumbs or thumb and fingers? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/2 "2008-06-09T13:45:04Z")
I’m orthodox. I don’t use the claw or any other method of holding it. The claw is pretty much used for FPS anyways. ---
**Author:** ![freekalette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@freekalette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freekalette)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/3 "2008-06-09T17:24:14Z")
I usually use two thumbs. But on fighting games - which I kick MUCH ass at - I do the thumb and three fingers method. People tend to get pissed off and accuse me of cheating, but they’re just jealous. I’d love to compete against someone who holds the controller the same way I do, and see how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/4 "2008-06-09T17:54:37Z")
Right hand holding the mouse, left hand over the keyboard; WASD all the way! ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/5 "2008-06-09T19:58:43Z")
[QUOTE=Terminus Est] Right hand holding the mouse, left hand over the keyboard; WASD all the way! [/QUOTE] My gaming improved untold amounts when I started remapping keys around as appropriate after changing WASD to ASDF. S and D strafe, A and F are forward and backwards. It’s a natural layout for your fingers. Everyone I’ve ever personally showed that to loves it once they try it long enough to get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/6 "2008-06-09T21:51:33Z")
Thumbs, definitely. But I generally only play sports or racing games. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/7 "2008-06-09T21:55:25Z")
[QUOTE=Enright3] My gaming improved untold amounts when I started remapping keys around as appropriate after changing WASD to ASDF. S and D strafe, A and F are forward and backwards. It’s a natural layout for your fingers. Everyone I’ve ever personally showed that to loves it once they try it long enough to get used to it. [/QUOTE] Hmmm, how do you run/walk/creep/crouch? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/8 "2008-06-09T22:29:53Z")
My friend when I was a kid held his NES controller so that he used his first two fingers on both the D-pad and the A and B buttons. It was insane, and I saw no measurable advantage. ---
**Author:** ![Pithy\_Moniker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Pithy\_Moniker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pithy_Moniker)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamers-how-do-you-hold-your-controller/452313/9 "2008-06-09T22:36:13Z")
[QUOTE=Enright3] My gaming improved untold amounts when I started remapping keys around as appropriate after changing WASD to ASDF. S and D strafe, A and F are forward and backwards. It’s a natural layout for your fingers. Everyone I’ve ever personally showed that to loves it once they try it long enough to get used to it. [/QUOTE] Continuing Hijack: I started using ESDF instead of WASD because F is a home key and almost always has an indicator on it. The typist in me prefers this greatly. To answer the OP: I’ve always held it the ‘normal’ way. I only switch to fingers if speedy button pressing is required.