A pocket-cutting device routs staggered pockets in elongated joinery member. The pocket-cutting device includes a base having a worktop, a clamp assembly for clamping the joinery member to the worktop, a router assembly for routing the pockets in the joinery member, a drill assembly for drilling bores in the joinery member, and a guide mounted in the worktop dimensioned and configured to position the joinery member in first and second positions relative to the router assembly for routing first and second pockets and first and second bores in the joinery member at staggered positions. A method of using the staggered pockets is also disclosed.