Okay fellas. I'm new to this game. Please bear with me. Give me shit, I can take it. Advice is appreciated.

Here is my field report, riddled with questions.

I was just at a pool hall. Tried three targets tonight. My first real practice. First was a gal at the bar, ordering a drink. I stood next to her, opened with a true story about a buddy of mine, married, who is having issues with a crush on a co-worker. Asked her opinion and what-not. The approach anxiety finally kicked in and I had nothing with which to move forward, no routine to follow-up. Stuck in A1 and lost it. Went back to my table and thought upon my mistake. "See ya around," I said.

Question 1: How do you transition between A1 and A2? Does your opener and segue to DHV have to be related? If not, give examples.

Second set was a bit easier, actually got to A2. But this time could not move to A3. The target was a petite brunette, her friend an old woman. Perfect! Old ladies are easy to charm. I told her about my travels in Europe and a girl who drove me around Switzerland. While negging the target ("Hey, could you let me finish my story?"), I went into a card trick (Cards, OK or not OK? Can I be "that guy" who carries a deck?), relating magic to a universal language and gesturing with my hands the card she chose. The brunette was into it, constantly trying to grab my attention, guessing as to how I did the trick. I kept negging and eventually she walked off. I learned that she had a boyfriend, to whom she ventured.

Question 2: When is the appropriate time to stop negging? How do I go from reading IOIs to A3, without 'finally' seeming interested? Or is 'finally' seeming interested the point of beginning A3, so long as I'm not jumping through hoops?

Third target was a cute blonde, a bit of a smartass. At first I thought she was on a date with a guy in the group. I asked how long they have known each other. "Two weeks." While she was off getting a drink, I asked the guy if they were recently set up or something. He explained that they were not together. Great.

When she came back and sat between myself and a 'mutual friend' (not aforementioned), I went into a similar routine. I spoke about my travels, giving the friend travel advice and negging the target when she tried jumping in. Then I tried going to A3. After hooking her a couple times, she did not buy my second IOD. Turned her back and started talking to said mutual friend, at which point he went for her.

Question 3: When "releasing" with an IOD, how long do you stick with it before moving back to A2 material? Or, is there a time limit for throwing more bait?

I stood nearby and played pool with the group as they talked. While unaware of "the game," he did have a bit of natural ability in moving the conversation along. However, even with little experience myself, I was able to recognize everything he was doing wrong. First off, he was absolutely wasted. Second, he brought up "Netflix and Chill." I chuckled with pride. Even though I am just learning the game, I recognized this as a wrong move so soon in the conversation, not to mention the absolute cringe factor of that phrase.

Since she was my target, I tried to move back in with another opener (OK going back to A1 here? OK to interrupt, him not being a wing?). They mentioned "Breaking Bad" in their Netflix conversation, so I jumped in with "Have you seen Better Call Saul?" A very simple question, something I definitely could talk about. Didn't work. She just disengaged completely and continued talking to him, albeit occasionally turning to another person and making fun of his drunkness.

As it turns out, she had overheard my earlier conversation with the guy I thought she was with. When I thought she was still off getting a drink, I asked her friend, "Were you set up, or is this a Tinder date, or what?" At some point I overheard her speaking of the offense she took from that question. She's "better than Tinder," or something like that. I should have made sure she was actually gone. Really, though, I shouldn't have asked at all.

While I've learned a lot, I'm still trying to get the hang of putting this into practice. The methodical approach, mainly the Mystery Method, is what I've been studying.

Question 4: Is the Mystery Method still valid? If not, what are your recommendations? What is the most accepted strategy in pickup today?

I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you for taking the time to read this nonsense.

Good luck out there, friends.