Ok then, it's hard to start, but it turns over just fine.
I wonder, when you say you have to give it a little gas if what is REALLY happening is you open the throttle plates (by giving it a little gas) and because the throttle plates are now open a bit, it gets more AIR and that helps it start. "Giving it more gas" may not be whats actually happening you see.
Classic approach to a "flooded conditon" is to hold the throttle wide open, thus introducing much more AIR than there is FUEL and that helps to flush the raw fuel out the exhaust, lean the fuel/air ratio and help the motor get started. Letting up and then pushing down on the throttle is not a good idea if you suspect a flooded condition. Everytime you lift the throttle and then depress it again, your carb accellerator pump shoots MORE gas into the engine!!! If flooded, floor it and HOLD IT there, do not "pump" the gas.
... not that I have a clue whether your flooded or not, just sayin'...