I'm just not quite sure how to go about it. I'd usually say something like, "what are you up to today?" but then it's really hit or miss.

I've read that you could cold read, make an observational statement or ask an open ended question, but I'm not too experienced on this. What are some good ones that I could use?

Are there forms of transitions that I could use as well?

If you do a opinion opener you can for example try the following after it:
1.PUA Saying: ” You guys know why i decided to ask this guestion just from you ” ?
HB ( s ): ” ?/ no ”
PUA: ” Well A) i like the funky way you girls dress and B) i couldn´t hope noteceing that necklace/ item you are wearing”( point the girl from the group who is wearing some item ) ” Whats the story behind it? ” ( notice who is doing all the talking again )
2.Playing C&F for a short time and than moving on to the DHV story which is related to that item or the item you are wearing ( Note: if you wear some sort of peacock necklace or something like that its more than possible that she will ask you about it!! So, invent a story that includes that item you are wearing. Usually its good to include a female friend into that story of yours so they know that other girls also see somethig in you )
Something for you to try if you want eventough i know people here are pretty much " against " the opinion openers and " routines "

Savoy talking about the transitioning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOd5XvXQ5mA

[ Johnny B ]

_________________
When you lose, don't lose the lesson. ~Author Unknown
Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small. ~Ruth Gendler

Yes, I have also noticed that people here are "against" Mystery Method what's that about?! I'm new to PU and yes I think mystery is a little weird but his method works ain't it?

Anyway, you can go with an opinion opener or maybe a direct opener something like "I saw you and I think you're cute but I want to see if you're friendly too (smile here!!!) I'm BLAH BLAH"

If you want to cold read then after the opener say something like "you know... you seem friendly/good girl/bad girl/smart/adventurous/etc
cold reading isn't hard as you can see.

And about transitioning, as juggler says "Transitions are for the weak minded." so you can just start with a story "do you believe in god?" - yes/no - "listen to this..."

Good luck!

Yeah, dude, go into a a) mini cold-read or b) straight into a story.

a) "You are totally a (insert adjective) girl...
"You seem like the type of person who loves it when (insert whatever)"
"You're a major troublemaker, aren't you?"...

b) "Do you ever get deja vu?" Then go into the deja vu DHV story.
"What's your major?" Then do Style's EV to find out what she really needs in her life.


Or just combine them:

"I gotta say, you seem like a pretty creative person...do you think so?" Then go into Style's palm-reading (right vs. left-brain dominant).

Game is easy. Keeping these HB's happy and with enough attention after is the tought part, lol.