Yes we had about same cycle patterns at funspot, except one that You go straight right against the wall(hah) -I used it back then couple of times when I was not sure which cycles were next -At that time I preferred so called "joystick magazine pattern" going first up then left. But I figured out later that if I start all patterns right I don't have to remember anything, just "pattern recognizion" and play.
Yup, I've always liked that pattern

When I show it to people, they are usually stunned at how simple it is. As you noted, the trick is to know which boards to use it on without trying to memorize the actual sequence (ie, doing it by pattern recognition). I have tried to explain that to people watching me play and sometimes it takes them a while to understand.
Same with Tanks, now I start all tanks up! I don't have to remember which tanks are next, much more fun! I think tank patterns are now about as good I can figure out.
Ah, yes, now I think I remember....at Funspot you had one or two tank boards where you went down at the beginning of the board. All my tank patterns (except for the red tanks) also go up first, shoot the tank coming across the top of the warp if necessary, then half-way down into the warp and pick off the rest of the tanks. There's really only one board where the firing sequence can be tricky. But your new tank patterns are more fun to watch than mine, I think.
I must admit that I got the Idea not staying shooting spiders from you Donald. Don't shoot them mainly because it's booring -more fast and fun like this
You're welcome

Also, I found that it results in a slightly faster rate of scoring...maybe 20-30K/hour. That can add up on a long game of 6+ hours.
Do you leave shooting spiders at any level Donald, when there's a nice tight bunch?
Sometimes....depends on how the board is going and whether I'm playing for fun or seriously. Also, it can sometimes provide a small "break" to relax before continuing on to the next screen. You can get the screen to the point where all you have to do is shoot and not even move until you're ready to enter the tower.
Only thing that has to be remembered now, meaning which level is next -is of course fast left cone after slow...But forget that few times anyway, but managed alive!
Yup, same here. And that's not even a necessary thing to remember, it's more of a convenience to make the board slightly easier.