I feel like I am the only person who can plug one in correctly the first try >90% of the time. The trick is simple, look at the damn connector first.
Orient that seam downwards or (if the ports are vertical) to the right, and most of the time it'll fit first go.
I have come across a few setups that had a USB port 'upside down', but mostly this is on laptops where they've got the connector board fitted upside-down inside the chassis.
Wouldn't do you any good, as the port can be on different orientation (up/down) in different devices.
If you mean look at both ends, then duh!. That doesn't count as "first try" though as it's not an actual "try" (and see), but a in-advance planned action...
There is no method or approach that is foolproof for all cables and ports. I have cables with no logo, cables with rounded and heavy cable parts on both sides, cables with holes in the metal jacketing on both sides, and so on.
The only truly foolproof method is to look inside both the plug and the port before attempting to plug it in, to see where the metal is. Of course, that only works when you can clearly see into the port, so it doesn't work in the dark or for ports behind other things.
So yeah, nothing is foolproof when it comes to USB-A. Not 100% of the time.
Edit: Whoops, meant port.
No need for USB logos or anything.
The port is orientated “up” on the device (that is, the thick portion is on top), or orientated up with regards to the motherboard if it’s sideways. Most devices that accept USB provide these orientations.