Even though the pill popper is suppose to work so great, I heve neverbeen able to get the hang of using it without a lot of stress. (OK, so I am strange)

So I use my good old fingers.

I also lay the cat on my lap but instead of looking straight at me, he would be across the lap, head in left hand, pill in right hand.

scruff (if necessary), pry mouth open WIDE and put the pill as far back as possible. When you get good at it, the pill will go right in the back of the throat where it can go no where but down.

I also, with many months of pilling consecutively, found that you do not need to actually put your fingers into the mouth. Just aim and drop. (NOTE: this revelation only came with MONTHS of experience, you must do whatever is necessary to insure it is where it needs to be)

And Phred is 100% correct, no self respecting cat will CHOOSE to just eat a pill no matter how good you think it is hid in their favorite treat.