A method for detecting a user's hand gestures with a handheld controller. The method includes monitoring a first sensor and a second sensor. Each sensor is capable of sensing the presence of the user's thumb. The method further includes sensing the presence of the thumb on the first sensor and then sensing when the thumb is no longer present on the first sensor. A time period is monitored beginning when the thumb is no longer present on the first sensor and ending when the presence of the thumb is sensed on one of the first sensor and the second sensor. Once the time period exceeds a threshold time value, a thumbs-up gesture is registered.