Yep - spot on.
Used this method for my IR. Passed it on to loads of people and certainly takes the heat out of deciding on a sector entry when you've got a tonne of other things to do.
It's not the tail of the pencil which gives the sector join tho.....
Once you've flicked the tail of pencil up (depending, like you said, on what direction the hold is in), find what sector the OUTBOUND HEADING of the hold lies in.
If it falls in the big bit, make it a direct entry. If it's in the larger of the two smaller sectors, then it's a Parallel....smaller sector=teardrop.
The sectors are referenced to your current heading (ie straight ahead), and the corresponding sectors made by your pencil/pen.
Still stuck, let us know. But it's a fool-proof method that makes your life a lot easier in the air..........
:t