all you need is:
confidence. confidence. confidence.
i dont care what you look like, if you think you are worth talking to... so will she.
just stay away from uncomfortable comments and direct inuendos... flattery is nice, but dont lay it on thick.. cracking jokes is always a plus.
meeting new people is always somewhat awkward, but if you can keep the conversation flowing she will feel comfortable around you and want to keep things going.
if all else fails, talk about your surroundings.. sometimes personal questions can become too straightforward.
warning: there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.
the latter is the biggest turn of known to women.
the best way to open is not with a direct question to the girl, but more so a laid back comment on something going on around you
ex. (reffering to the token wasted girl on the dance floor) [in joking manner] "how much you wanna bet i could get her to take a shot of water and she wouldnt be able to taste the difference?"
after she smiles and responds introduce yourself casually and perhaps neg her. follow this by showing some interest.. ask her a question like who she knows at the party.. etc.
the good thing about your original joke is its something to referece back to during empty parts of the conversation.. "o she is still going strong out there.. i wonder if thats where she'll end up crashing tonight.. in the middle of the floor"
be sure you are the one to initiate the end of the conversation. for any girl that is used to being approached, this is so annoying.. but annoying in your favor.
everyone knows its a power play when you get the last word, and you just took that from her. she will want to come back and redeem herself for sure.
if you get a number close.. the best thing to do is text her instead of call. if it went really well, and you know she is into you.. text her the next day seeing if she enjoyed the rest of the night, got home safe.. whatever..
the best way to get a number is to take her cell and call yours then save it as a contact in your phone. this gives her your number as well, so she might just be the one to do the texting first.. always a good sign.
hope i helped

_________________
-femfatale

"..All you can do is put on an appearance of confidence sometimes. And after a while, others will start to believe it.. And then you die."

The ability to write in paragraphs is always a plus too

Seriously thought your right in some ways. Confidence is a huge quality that seperates naturals from drones from AFC's.

However Congruency is also important and that means not being one dimensional. On top of that all of your qualities must compliment each other not contridict each other.

The problem with confidence for alot of guys is that they mistake cocky for confident.

_________________
-Ka-
"Be the same, only better."

paragraphs are overrated. in order vs. chaos.. i lean towards the chaos.

and to be clear, i am not encouraging cockyness.. hence the "fine line between arrogance and confidence" comment.

_________________
-femfatale

"..All you can do is put on an appearance of confidence sometimes. And after a while, others will start to believe it.. And then you die."

everyone says it, confidence is key, and it's SO true.. but I'm not sure that taking her phone is the best plan.. maybe if the IOI's are extremely noticable and many of them. I find taking the phone and putting the number in a little off to the side.. what i mean is, she might just be too distracted(or trashed) to notice what you did until she takes the time to look through her contacts or someone points it out for her. so she might not contact you for a while. But then again, I'm just the type who likes the quick respond. i'm not dissing your style or anything i'm just speaking what i feel for anyone who cares..

_________________
..unique anarchy..

i dont mean to just slip your number in there unnoticed. thats just strange.
.. but when you ask "how can we continue this conversation?" (or whatever your preference is..)
and she says "i could give you my number"
suggest that either she or yourself calls your phone from hers right then... i mean, it IS easier and she wont think its weird, people do it all the time. plus it opens the door for her to contact you first.

_________________
-femfatale

"..All you can do is put on an appearance of confidence sometimes. And after a while, others will start to believe it.. And then you die."