Another area where I'm currently struggling with, is showing intent when I'm within groups of people.

Scenario:

I was out for a university social but for whatever reason, most people didn't turn up so it was just me and two girls. I had only met these 2 girls once before briefly.

Since it was midweek with deadlines approaching, we went to a relatively quiet bar. I think I make a good impression as I made them laugh a few times and it was mostly fun SPAM. However, from early on, I realised one of them (say Judge Girl) was very judgemental - not towards me, but to others in the bar and showing pictures she had on fb and saying stuff like "How can she dress like that" blah blah. The other girl (HB) was also getting a little frustrated but they have been friends for a long time so I guess she was used to it and just sort of nodded along whenever she did it.

I and HB shared more convos (Judge Girl was mostly on her phone) and I thought she was someone I would like to find out more about.

BUT, I don't really know what I can do in this situation to show that intent without making it awkward. Judge Girl was going back to sleep at HB's house and it just didn't feel right to try and make some kind of a move.

I added both on snapchat and fb during the social and send a snap to HB when I got home that followed on from an earlier joke. She send a snap back with her and Judge girl laughing and then they went to sleep.

Anyway, I get in to many scenarios like this where the situation makes it hard to distinguish whether girls like me as a friend or not. Because the truth is that I do meet lots of girls that I could potentially ask out but I just don't know how to do it when its a group event.

If we go to a club as a group and it's more of a going out out kind of event then its a bit easier to set a more sexual tone. I guess my question comes down to how to day game in events where people may be friendly just because its a social / part of the group kind of thing.

It's highly unlikely you were getting a sane night lay, she wouldn't have wanted to ditch her friend if there was just two of them.

Personally, if it's a situation like that I'd just flirt with both even if you weren't interested in Judge (create competition and whatnot), then get the numbers and then try to arrange stuff over text.

That makes sense, but I don't really know if it won't come as weird if I then text her and try to get a date. What I mean is that I don't feel like I'm showing sexual intent during the social for me to be able to do that during texting. And to be fair, I don't know how to do it either really.

You're at university, so if you feel awkward you could suggest something indirect like a coffee or a meeting in the library and then build from there to a meeting at a bar. Or since it is university, just try your luck with her on a night out since her buying temperature with you will likely be higher.

In situations where you can't be blatantly direct such as work or social circle, there are a few areas you can steer a convo to a gauge interest.

Relationships..is she single...if she acts awkward about this topic or doesnt take interest in your relationship situation, thats a sign she's not sexually interested.

Future plans and meeting up one on one...if you both like X food and she acts nervous when you suggest you too should check it out..another sign she's not interested.

There are more but point is, chicks will hint at whether they want to see you alone and what they're looking for.

In your situation OP, you were fucking around. No reason for you to not tell the other chick you'd like to talk to her friend or say you were interested. Sounds like you 3 were not doing much anyway and if if they said she wasnt interested just leave. There will always be a point in ANY approach, even cold approach where you could fall on your face and be rejected. You gotta not care and be comfortable with being able to express interest. Joke with the friend that you like the main chick or she's your type, flirt with the chick, say I'm taking her over there for 5 mins. You're adults. If they want to act like a guy having interest in someone is blasphemy just move on.

Cheers for the advice - it has made me realise that the reason I didn't even consider doing some of your suggestions is the fear that if I fuck it up, I could lose a potential social circle. I know that if they would react like that to me being interested in someone then they aren't worth the time anyway but because of the lack of experience I feel like I don't have the status to try that.

Like for example, I would have the confidence to say, "I'm interested in HB, I'll speak to her over there for 5 mins" but the way I say it I would not come out confident and I think they would just find me crazy.

How would being rejected ruin a social circle? As long as you aren’t weird about it, things will be fine. She might even try and set you up with a single girl in the group.