Has anybody read The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists? If so, what'd you think? I read it a few years ago and thought it was an interesting read but as to how much it helped my game I'm a little more ambivalent.
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Perhaps you can share with us some of the books better advice. Better still if possible, summarize the best ones. I have a few tips which I have developed over the years which I can share as well.

You can delete yourself. Click on 'edit' and then 'delete this post'. I think it's on the left side.

yes Ive read it, Style and Mysterious game. I thought it was interesting reading, but I dont buy much of it. I thinks its more about gut and dare to fail more than trying to manipulate the girl.

The three second rule is quite useful for picking up girls. I used it a lot

what's the three second rule? I've only heard of that when it comes to food that's dropped on the floor.

I am so buying this as a gag gift for my friend, right after I buy this (it get bonus points for slutty asian on cover):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594481792/ref=rdr_ext_sb_ti_hist_1

Three seconds rule is to say hi to a girl within three seconds of her noticing you. Very useful rule.

i think I have to stick with the food related three second rule when wifey / girl friend is around...

Oops, I meant her BF... The GFs can stay!

Well, if she has BF, then you simply give up. To be a player, you shouldn't have one-itis. You should always move on when the chance of success is below par.

nah, a player isn't shaken by a BF

if she noticed you, it's because the BF doesn't have her attention, by definition

which in turn means you have an 'in' ...

I  am not sure if you read the related materials. A player doesn't like to take unnecessary risk. Going at a girl with a companion next to her can be quite dangerous. And if the two are truly in love, your chance is slim to none. Better spend time on other hotties.

Of course, that doesn't stop you from saying a friendly hi to this girl with a companion. But you should stop at that and wait until you and her cross each other's life later.

Guys: I was just messing... Haven't read that stuff.

Totally agree about risk.

I'm making a very important distinction that managing risk is NOT AT ALL the same as "giving up".  

If she's noticing you I don't care what conversation you have in your mind about them being in love - if she's noticing you, whatever she has going is neither love nor is it committed.  
Ok she could be trying to pique his jealousy
She could be trying to get back at him for something
But most likely she's wanting make up for some deficiency in the way he makes her feel.  She wants more than he's giving.  

Yes of course you want to avoid getting a black eye or worse, and if she's dumb enough to show up next to other more desirable hotties with ball-and-chain attached it's her loss.  You go after the more desirable alternatives, but if she's noticing you she's giving you the invitation.  You slowing down and reading the situation is still about being target to follow up and close.

I thought The Game was great for picking up and that's about it. I know a lot of guys who read that book who weren't looking at picking up for the sake of picking up. They actually wanted meaningful relationships out of the pick up which the book doesn't seem to address. That was my main gripe about the book.

A good start is important to an LTR. So knowing how to pick up should be of great help. Of course, it is not the whole solution but as you know it doesn't claim to be a solution to LTR.

Agree - it goes without saying that without a pickup there's no possibility of an LTR, so dreaming about one is a waste of time ... a great example of the cart before the horse ...

And after you can pick up, and have picked up a few, you can start to be more selective about WHO you pick up ... and (only then) whether you pick her up again, a few days later ...

A long term relationship is NOT built on a starting promise.  That sort of commitment is built on insecurity and causes all manner of guilt and victimisation.

A well-founded long term relationship IS built one day at a time, each day following the past one, re-making the choice to be together, over and again, because it's better than the alternatives.

PS I think I need to get laid ... I'm noticing a pugilistic streak in my posts today