In a world with How I Met Your Mother. The undoubted standout character of the show? Barney Stinson.
Barney was a total womanizer, even though he was hilarious and underwent a whole load of growth. The epitome of his womanizing ways was "The Playbook," a book of plays used to lure women into bed. Some actually could work, while some are just nonsense, we look at fifteen of them here.
WOULD WORK - "THE CHEAP TRICK"
"The Cheap Trick" is a simple play, just dress up like a rockstar, approach the person, and tell them you are the bass player for a band called (ironically) Cheap Trick.
This is a play that requires some drunkenness, or just for the person to be really into rock, rockstars, or guys who are in a band, which, stereotypically, a lot of people are.
INSANE - "THE TROJAN LESBIAN"
"The Trojan Lesbian" appears in the published playbook and requires the player to dress as they think a lesbian would and shave. Then go to a gay bar and talk to the hottest girl there, go to their apartment, fool around, and hide their "maleness" before convincing them it is synthetic.
This play is just a load of offensive, and how anyone could think it would work is ludicrous, even by Barney's standard. The book even its it has a success rate of <1%.
WOULD WORK - "THE FIREMAN"
"The Fireman" is another simple play that simply requires the player to tell the girl that they are a fireman.
This is another play reliant on stereotypes and would crumble without proof. Nevertheless, this play would work in the right environment, at the very least inciting interest.
WOULD WORK - "THE SCUBA DIVER"
"The Scuba Diver" is perhaps the most, or at least the top three most elaborate plays, and is better explained by going and watching "The Playbook" episode.
There are some specific requirements for this play, but should you manage to assemble it all in a way as genius as Barney does, you will undoubtedly get results in the form of at least a date.
INSANE - "THE SNASA"
"The SNASA" is another ludicrous play by Barney. It sees him go up to a girl, tell her he is part of SNASA (secret NASA), claiming to have traveled to the SMoon (secret moon).
Whoever possibly has this play put onto them has every right to be offended as whoever is doing it, whether it be Barney or someone else.
WOULD WORK - "THE JIM NACHO"
"The Jim Nacho" is one seen in full on the show, with Barney waiting until a girl mentions something she likes (e.g., nachos) and presents himself as Jim, Jim *insert thing girl likes here*.
This play would not work for everything, but if you time it well and choose the right object, you could at least induce some interesting conversation, and maybe a lot more.
WOULD WORK - "THE HE'S NOT COMING"
"The He's Not Coming" is another demonstrated by Barney as he goes to the top of the Empire State Building and approaches women alone, telling them "he's not coming" until someone bites.
This requires the Empire State Building or a place with similar romantic magnetism. If done correctly, this play could easily work but is extremely sleazy as you are just using women who are vulnerable emotionally.
INSANE - "THE DON'T DRINK THAT"
"The Don't Drink That" sees Barney run-up to a girl about to take a drink and urge her not to drink it because he saw someone slip something into it, pointing to Ted to blame.
This play would 100% not work because A) the person you blame could easily refute the fact, especially with cameras around and B) even if that part went unquestioned, why would this make someone want to sleep with you?
WOULD WORK - "THE BRIAN'S FRIEND"
"The Brian's Friend" is a super simple play, requiring you to talk to the girl telling her you to recognize her from Brian's party, or Brian's event because everyone knows a Brian.
The issue with the play is that there is no guarantee you will get what Barney wants. At the very least, though, in the right setting, you will have some drinks, some laughs, and maybe a date entirely based on lies.
WOULD WORK - "THE TED MOSBY"
"The Ted Mosby" play requires you to dress up as Ted Mosby and tell your 'target' that you got left at the altar.
This simple play relies on the sympathy card, which, while shady, would work very well in a bar or club with alcohol involved, especially for Barney's goals.