Official hook-up handbook: another Saturday night. You've got everything you need: the MF body, the bar, the beer, and definitely the time. When it comes to meeting the hottie in the corner, in fact, you've got it all. And now you're about to get everything you need to know to hook up with her

THE LOOK OF LOVE?

SHE'S SMILING AT YOU SO SHE MUST LIKE YOU, RIGHT? NOT NECESSARILY. SO WHAT THE HELL IS SHE THINKING? HOLD ON, GUYS. YOU'RE ABOUT TO ENTER INTO THE COMPLEX LABYRINTH THAT IS THE FEMALE MIND.

First Impressions

Research from the University of Philadelphia has shown that within seconds of meeting a guy, most women can tell whether they like him. "Women judge potential compatibility within moments of meeting a man" says Robert Kurzban, Ph.D., a co-author of the study. "And most of their decision is based on information that they gather within about the first three seconds of their meeting" he adds. Meaning, once you catch a glimpse of the woman you're interested in, you literally have only seconds to make some sort of move.

The Eye Lock

This is that first quick glance she gets from you that registers in her brain ("He likes what he sees"). Enough cannot be said about how important it is to get it right. Stand up tall, puff up your chest a little, and feel good about yourself as you look over her way. Keep your gaze strong but relaxed, and try to avoid anything that gives off the appearance of creepiness or arrogance. Keep your eyes on her and only her. Make her feel like she's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. Deep down, all women love the fantasy of love at first sight. Feed it for a moment, even if in the end it's just going to be lust.

Initial Contact

The way you introduce yourself is essential for making a good first impression. After your initial meeting (see "The Pickup Artist;' right), offer your hand for a solid shake. Go for something firmer than your dead-fish handshake, but more gentle than the I-could-kick-your-ass-if-I-wanted-to you give a new co-worker. "Touch sets off a tremendous unconscious physical reaction in a woman, so it's important that it be appropriate and sensual" says Mark Schoen, Ph.D., director of sex education at the Sinclair Institute and producer of the Better Sex video series Sexplorations. Often, with friends, shaking hands will seem too formal. Instead, tip your head slightly down and go for a smile that says, "You can approach me, I'm interested in you." Whatever you do, don't lean in for an air kiss if she doesn't first.

Sweet Talk

It may seem counterintuitive or be difficult to pull off if you're an especially outgoing guy, but once you've gone past the introduction, it's time to shut up.

"Resist the urge to interrupt her when she's talking or telling a story," says Scott Haltzman, M.D., the author of The Secrets of Happily Married Men. Most day-today conversations involve a good amount of back-and-forth banter, but that's exactly what you don't want when it comes to your first time getting to know someone, he says. Instead, listen to whatever she has to say, and ask questions that will help draw her out more and make her feel like you're really interested in what she's saying. After all, that is what this is about: her, her, and, oh yeah, her. She is fascinating; you are starstruck--or at least that's the impression you want her to have. Laugh at her jokes. Comment on how funny, witty, original, and pretty you think she is. "Make her think she is the sexiest woman alive," advises Candida Royalle, author of How to Tell a Naked Man What To Do. If the pickup develops into something more, you'll have plenty of time to do your talking later on. And if it doesn't, then at least you won't have had to rattle through the story of your life one more time for another woman's potential enjoyment.

Steering the Conversation

As she's talking, keep these three rules in mind: [1] Find common bonds. Whether it's the fact that you both had a dog named Max as a kid or figuring out that you have a mutual friend, having things in common will help her feel connected to you. [2] Stay humble. Women like to feel that we've taught you something or told you something you didn't know. Sure, you've been to Mexico twice, but stop interjecting what you did and ask her about her trip instead. [3] Be kind. In our own online study of more than 1,000 women, we found that courtesy and manners often rank higher on the scale of what women consider sexy than characteristics like a lean and fit body. Yes, we still want to jump a set of well-toned bones at the end of the day, but a few pleases and thank-yous along the way are just going to make the sex that much better in the end.

Cruise Control

You've caught her attention, didn't get shot down with your pickup line, and have carried on a conversation with her for at least five minutes. If you've gotten to this point, things look good. All you have to do now is not mess up. That means no making the wrong move or sticking your foot in your mouth and ruining all the good feeling you've already built up. So, no glancing at her friend's cleavage, no talk of politics or women's issues--in fact, no discussions of anything controversial at all. At this point, you should also start looking for signs that she wants to take things further. Perhaps she's let you work her away from her group of friends at the bar. Or she's let you start brushing your knee along hers without moving it away. Things like that aren't accidents. Women are always keenly aware of where our friends are positioned in the room, and exactly where your body is in relation to ours, so if it seems like we're letting you make a move, we are.