When you shoot the cue ball across the table to cut shot, it becomes likely that your cue ball falls into that side pocket. The slightest miscalculation can lead your cue to scratch in the side. Besides this, it becomes even harder to focus on leaving the cue ball on the left side of the side pocket. This shot should not be done unless you rehearsed it multiple times and are already fully comfortable and confident on not making any miscalculations.
Do not use the side spin as you may first instinctively consider on doing first. You may concentrate on doing the top and back spin instead to reduce the number of variables involved. It will also increase your consistency from table to table. When you have this mastered, you will have a feel on pocketing the 1 then positioning your cue ball for the next shot.
Avoiding the side pocket is a sound advise for beginners but once mastered, it can be a trick you can bring along with you to get you that win.