Does it matter which way a triac is connected?

[El_AMPo]

Already made the same mistake.

The pin order around opto and triac must be mantained to keep driving properties.
Pin4 -> resistor -> Gate
Pin6 -> mains

Pin6 if i remember can be connected either to A1 or A2 in parallel but be mains feeded
(Please correct me if im wrong, fuzzy memory right now)

Anyway I always base my triac-opto design on this schematic:
(no snubber there, I use triacs with integrated snubber)

[The Master]

The way ive always done it is almost the same as you except i have the load on the other side of the triac. It always works fine for me but i can understand why its not a good way to do it.

This new design im working on is actually identical to your schematic so it looks like it will work in any direction (at least for normal bulbs) and my new design should definately work.

Thanks for your help