I know the proper way to pick up a hamster is to use both hands, not too tight but firmly so it doesn't drop. Is there another way? ;)

you dont have to be firm, i never was. they like walking on your hands alot.

what kind of hamster do you have? i had 3 short hairs and they loved to go in balls. you should get 2, its really funny.

it depends on the hamster. some need to be held against you and covered, others can be trusted to not fall or jump, although be very careful anyways, a short drop could lead to lethal injuries.

If you're standing up, you must be sure the hamster can't fall. If you're sitting on the ground, you don't have to hold on as tight. Falls can be deadly or injure the little hamster.

I accidently dropped one of my female dwarf Siberian hamsters, back in the late 80's I think. Irena was her name. After the drop, she seemed a little stunned but seemed to recover. But from then on, she acted mentally ill. She would chew on one spot on the bars all day, non-stop, ignoring her sisters, and spin around and around sometimes. She also got a prolapse where her insides came out her rear. The poor thing lived a year after falling but was never the same.

poor thing, i just read about that robyn. i always held mine close to the ground. i would actually let them go on my palm and make a circle with my fingers on my other hand. they loved to go in and out of the circle, it was cool.