The 10 Commandments of Sin City Wingmanhood

A weekend Vegas trip with the guys requires something a bit more substantial than just a wingman (or wingmen/wolf pack) in the traditional sense… Vegas requires a true brother by your side, whether they be blood or not. No one comes to Vegas alone and neither should you, especially if you are single. Even if you do happen to make that last minute solo trip to Sin City to “find yourself,” it is so easy to make “single-serving” friends – you’d have to be a total hermit not to be able to form a makeshift rag-tag league of extraordinary gentleman. Whether or not your friends or recruits can pledge allegiance to the following commandments will determine whether or not you fly out of town with a smile on your face and a contact list full of new phone numbers.

1) You shall put your fellow wingman first

The reason wingman dynamic is tried and true is because it works. Period. The defining characteristic of this proven strategy is that you put your wingman first before yourself in all facets of social life. He in turn does the same for you. When it comes to romantic pursuits this may seem illogical to the uninitiated – but do you really have the gall to question a tradition that’s been around since time immemorial? I didn’t think so.

2) You shall handle approaching single ladies, opening conversations, and introducing your fellow wingman to potential female suitors.

As a wingman it is your duty to provide “the assist,” meaning you’ll do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to creating romantic opportunities. It is rare that you’ll find ladies riding solo in the Vegas nightlife scene … so not only do you have to win over the object of your wingman’s affection, but you’ll also have to win her friends over as well… other wise they’ll be putting up some serious roadblocks in your way.

3) You shall let your fellow wingman know when he is putting his potential admirer on a pedestal a.k.a. “white knighting” or “critical creeper condition”.

Once things seem to be going smoothly and your wingman is hitting it off with his crush be sure to look out for potential signs of awkwardness or what I like to call “door mat behavior”. Even if your buddy looks like Adonis himself, it won’t make a lick difference if he lacks the confidence or impulse control to avoid fawning unattractively over his date.

4) You shall suggest the second meet up

In general, the average Vegas visitor will be in town for a maximum of four days. Usually Thursday-Sunday. Don’t flounder around your first couple days in town. Have a game plan and execute! Try and find members of the opposite sex the first or second night so that way you can set up a second day to go out as a group. This how you build rapport. Despite common belief, the majority of girls aren’t looking to hook up with strangers they met their first night on the town.

5) You shall make sure he’s dressed to impress

I’m not saying you all should suit up, but ... you all should suit up. Sure you can push the boundaries of the nightclub dress code by wearing jeans, a button-up, and some trendy sneakers, but whether you are aware of it or not, girls are scanning the room with Terminator-like accuracy for “duds” and “average-Joes.” If you are strutting around in a suit you’re going to be taken more seriously and definitely catch some eyes.

6) You shall huddle before heading out

No, we’re not talking about a group prayer (unless you are all devoutly religious). As cheesy as it sounds, a group huddle can give a boost of confidence and set the tone for the rest of the night. A simple pregame shot and cheers will suffice, but there is nothing like an eloquent soliloquy to ignite the fire in you fellow brother’s hearts and motivation to have the best night of your lives.

7) You shall know when to part ways with your wingman

Eventually you have to let a grasshopper spread its wings. You’ve set everything up and laid a perfect foundation, now it is time to let your wingman shine and prove his worth. The good news is he isn’t starting from zero. If you did your job optimally, it should be smooth sailing from here. Once he’s engaged you’re free to pursue your own interests, or recollect with the rest of your group.

8) You shall watch his alcohol intake

This one is a no-brainer and you would think that grown adult men wouldn’t need a reminder. However, there’s a reason Vegas is called “Disneyland for adults.” The city has a reputation for eliminating any and all inhibitions. A drunkard does not fare well when it comes to mingling with the single crowd in Vegas. Space out your drinks. Try sipping slowly on some whiskey neat to give off those "Don Draper" vibes.

9) You shall watch his spending

Whether it be at the poker table, bar, or strip club. Getting carried away on the first night and emptying your pockets is the surest way for a Vegas vacation to end quickly. Put your money where it will serve your goals best. When it comes down to it, investing in table service will help. Not because it will attract attention from bottle rats, but it will give you a home base to bring back girls to be able to actually converse and flirt. The dance floor or bar line is much too chaotic to build any sort of chemistry. Believe it or not, you don't have to be a 33rd degree Free Mason to get bottle service in Vegas ... don't be shocked when you close your bar tab at the end of the night - know what your getting into and plan ahead with us here.

10) You shall welcome failure

You'll find one of the highest concentrations of beautiful and wealthy women from all over the world here in Vegas. You and your fellow wingmen must arm yourself against the pangs of rejection and be willing to approach A LOT of women. A carefree attitude and focusing on having a good time will ensure that you leave on the plane with a smile on your face regardless of whether you get lucky or not.