going back to the original question, choke or no choke.
I fitted new
AMAL premiers to both of my B44s. They are radically different states of tune. One has a large valve head, ported, 40 thou over bore, high(er) compression slipper piston, light weight pushrods, lightened rockers, pea nut exhaust.
The other is completely stock.
They have the same jets, needles, and slides and both run just fine.
One carb (the second one) came with a choke, didn't fit it and have not regretted it, though probably would not have regretted fitting it either!
Flooding the carbs and judicious use of the valve lifter seems to work just fine in starting them, though I do have the idle mix a tiny bit (like 16th of a turn) rich. Extended tickover screws are worthwhile, and help reduce the temptation to give it "just a little bit" of throttle while kicking, an absolute no no.