I've read (in the Larry Hodges book) as well as seen advice on video (TTEdge) stating that the BH sidespin flick is best used against a righty pendulum serve (if I'm a right handed receiver) as this way, I can get maximum grip which is especially useful against side-back serves.

However, against a robot, I find the opposite to be true: as a right handed receiver, I get better grip against a lefty pendulum serve.

So, I get better grip when I go against the sidespin and not with it. This way, I also see more kick off the table in my return (though this might mean that less sidespin is actually transferred to the server's bat for 3rd ball).

Has anyone else experience this? 

Perhaps, the answer to this depends on at what part of the stroke (when the bat is moving from right to left or when it is moving from left to right) I contact the ball?