Abstract: A latch needle for a textile machine includes a needle shank having a sawslot defined in the needle shank by two facing cheeks forming part of the needle shank; a pivot pin supported by the cheeks and extending transversely to the length dimension of the needle shank; and a latch accommodated in the sawslot. The latch includes a latch shank having an upper side and an opposite lower side. There is further provided a bearing bore in the latch shank. The bearing bore is traversed by the pivot pin to provide for a pivotal movement of the latch relative to the needle shank. The bearing bore is spaced from the upper side at a first distance and from the lower side at a second distance; the first and second distances have unlike lengths.