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The Playbook: Suit up. Score chicks. Be awesome.

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Since the dawn of history man has searched for the answer to the most fundamental of questions: "Why am I here . . . not banging chicks?" The search is over. Now, with the help of The Playbook, you'll be able to approach any beautiful woman, discover her innermost passion, and use that to trick her into sleeping with you. You'll master more than 75 seduction techniques, developed by pickup guru and all-around good guy Barney Stinson, guaranteed to turn you into a bona fide ladies' man.

141 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2010

162 people are currently reading
2553 people want to read

About the author

Matt Kuhn

17 books373 followers
Matt Kuhn is one of the authors of the American TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Kuhn lives in Los Angeles.

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5 stars
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3 stars
1,244 (27%)
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1 star
120 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
Profile Image for Peter.
78 reviews483 followers
February 3, 2021
I first came upon The Playbook, by Barney Stinson, in the humor section of my local book store, which upon reflection was obviously a titanic mistake. This is not a funny book. No, not at all. The Playbook is pure enlightenment. Its wisdom is Ghandi-esque. It's what everyman has ever looked for: a proven step by step guide on how to score with chicks...I mean women. Its results are nothing short of astounding.
Don't believe me?
Here is a picture of a typical girl I dated before reading The Playbook. We will call her Phillis:

 photo thCANCYNYV.jpg
If you enjoyed this review you'll probably like my Youtube reviews--be warned, I enjoy some good snark! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6D...
Though the author is sexually potent (considered a veritable dynamo by some) Phillis is not actually pregnant in this picture. And no, I won't take another paternity test, Phil. My limit is four a year. Besides, you've been "pregnant" for thirteen months. The charade is over, give it up.

And here is the woman I've been seeing after reading The Playbook:

 photo StacyMeredith_PetersBirthdayDinnerMay2011.jpg
yowza

Can you see the difference? It's slight but it's there.
Now some of you may be thinking that I pulled this picture at random from www.fakeGirlfriends.cam but I do not lie.
Here is proof of carnal knowledge of said woman:

 photo MyKids.jpg
*Actual children that I helped create.


If The Playbook can work for me, then it can work for you too.
 photo Petermeredith7.jpg

*Unauthorized picture of the author...it was a bad hair day.
If you enjoyed this review you'll probably like my Youtube reviews--be warned, I enjoy some good snark! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6D...
Profile Image for Carlos De Eguiluz.
226 reviews196 followers
February 6, 2017
Así que Barney regresa en compañía de Matt Kuhn con nuevo material para arrancarnos muchas sonrisas, sonoras carcajadas, y esta vez, de verdad convencernos —o al menos a mí— de seguir tan siquiera una de sus jugadas para "ligar".

Esta es la guía maestra para el ligue, un compendio de jugadas, con porcentajes y todo aquello que se pueda requerir para triunfar en lo que respecta a la atracción de los distintos tipos de mujeres.

Entonces, ¿qué les puedo decir que no les haya dicho antes sobre Barney? Es genial, realmente genial, y aunque este es un libro que tampoco es profundo, resulta más entretenido de imaginar que el anterior, pues, nuestro querido personaje nos confía una de sus mayores posesiones: su mente maestra, y en ella, su habilidad para entablar relaciones —de al menos una noche— con mujeres.

Jugadas favoritas:
“THE SNASA”, “THE BLIND DATE”, “THE DON’T DRINK THAT”, “THE HOT DUDE”, “THE SCAPED CONVICT”, “THE AUTHOR”, “THE I’M JOINING THE MARINES”, “THE LITTLE ORPHAN BARNEY”, “THE GRANDPA WONKA”, “THE HE’S NOT COMING”, “THE MY PENNIS GRANTS WISHES", “THE JORGE POSADA”, “THE ANNYVERSARY OF MY WIFE’S DEATH”, “THE MANNEQUIN”, “THE LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT”, “THE LEO”, “THE ABRACADABRA”, “THE BRIAN’S FRIEND”, “THE BEFUDDLED PUPPY OWNER”, “THE PORTRAIT”, “THE TED MOSBY”, “THE JIM NACHO”, “THE CONFUSED INHERITOR”, “THE OTHER JONAS”, “THE CHICK”, “THE PINOCCHIO PUPPY”, “THE PRINCE AKEEM”, “THE MOVIEGOER”, “THE LORENZO VON MATTERHORN”, “THE COOL PRIEST”, “THE AREA 69”, “THE GHOST”, “THE RORSCHACH”, “THE BALLET DEFECTOR”, “THE LOTTERY”, “THE MISSING CAT”, “THE TIME TRAVELER”, “THE VAMPIRE”, “THE BARNEY IDENTITY”, “THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SEA”, “THE PROJECT X”, “THE LIFEGUARD”, “THE FALL IN LOVE”, “THE I CAN LAND THIS PLANE”, “THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE”, “THE MRS. STINSFIRE”, “THE BILLIONAIRE”, “THE TROJAN LESBIAN”, “THE GRIEVING CHICKS”, “THE E PLURIBUS UNUM”, “THE MR. PRESIDENT”, “THE KIDNEY SCHEME”, “THE I CAN GUESS YOUR WEIGHT”, “THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER”… y aquella de la que no podemos hablar.
Profile Image for Nicki.
111 reviews7 followers
November 23, 2011
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I can't explain how much I enjoyed this book. I probably shouldn't have, as a woman. But it was just so funny! I could just hear Barney Stinson reading the book out loud to me. And the sad thing was, I remembered quite a few of these plays from the televsion show! If you're a fan of the show, this is a must-read. If you're not, then you shoudl read it anyway, because it's hilarious!
97 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2025
was wel lachen om te luisteren
Profile Image for Keri Payton.
156 reviews58 followers
August 10, 2016
(From my blog: Quill Café)

In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.

Suit up. Score chicks. Be awesome.

After listening to the audio book for 'The Bro Code,' I had to have more of Barney Stinson’s sexist humour and creative wit.

In this volume, there are plenty of "plays" which demonstrate ways in which poor schmucks can attempt to get some.

Each play includes its success rate, the kind of women it attracts, requirements to initiate the play, the preparation time and possible problems.

The plays range from easy to very hard and lame to extravagant. While I can see Barney Stinson carrying out each and every one of these plays, I think that if another bloke tried out some of these cockamamie schemes, he could find himself in a serious mess. All puns in this paragraph were unintended. True story.

The plays are titled things such as "The Lifeguard," "The Kidney Scheme" and even "The Doogie." Plenty of the them were very creative, although you’d have to find a really gullible chick to make them work.

If men can find the time to work so hard to put together all of these plays to try and attract the attention of women, then women can just as easily listen to 'The Playbook' and put much less effort into weeding out random creeps. Backfire, Stinson.

I laughed out loud at several moments in 'The Playbook.' I’m glad that I chose to listen to the book instead of read it as there is much more life to the humour when narrated.

'The Playbook' by Barney Stinson with Matt Kuhn is recommended for fans of Barney Stinson and his antics. Not for children or the easily offended.
Profile Image for Ana  Lelis.
502 reviews212 followers
October 2, 2018
This review is going to be LEGEN- wait for - DARY. LEGENDARY!
I wanted to read this book so bad while I was watching the tv show but I didn't know they created a real one. It was an amazing surpring, but I just discovered it this year. It was very fun reading it and imaginating Barney doing all this stuff. But unfortunaly I didn't see the ''Ryan Gosling'' sung because the tv show ended in 2014 and the book is from 2010. I would love to read The Playbook 2 and would love more to know that same guy tried these techniques in real life HAHA
Profile Image for Thanh Thanh.
292 reviews11 followers
October 1, 2016
What can I say?!! It's Barney Stinson. It's legend wait-for-it dary.
Damnnn, I really miss the show
Profile Image for Amanda.
267 reviews147 followers
December 15, 2016
This is pretty fun and entertaining if you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother.
Profile Image for Alessio.
77 reviews6 followers
December 28, 2022
3,5 ⭐

Chi non ha adorato il personaggio di BARNEY STINSON nella serie TV How I Meet Your Mother !?!?
Le tattiche da lui adottate per conquistare le donne (che sono raccolte all'interno di questo volume) sono leggendarie e veramente fuori di testa!!
Un libro davvero interessante e divertente da leggere. Un romanzo scorrevole con una scrittura lineare e semplice che mi ha piacevolmente intrattenuto durante la sua lettura. Perfetta per chi cerca una lettura leggera e scanzonata. Consigliato principalmente a chi ha amato la serie TV "How I Meet Your Mother"
Profile Image for Noodar Yasmeen.
161 reviews51 followers
December 5, 2013
Since the dawn of history man has searched for the answer to the most fundamental of questions: “Why am I here . . . not banging chicks?”

The search is over. Now, with the help of The Playbook, you’ll be able to approach any beautiful woman, discover her innermost passion, and use that to trick her into sleeping with you. You’ll master more than 75 seduction techniques, developed by pickup guru and all-around good guy Barney Stinson, guaranteed to turn you into a bona fide ladies’ man.


WOW! The book is LEGEND -wait for it- ARY !!!

Barney has sooo many damn ways to get laid!

The book was a good read and quite humorous. I was literally laughing at every single page! I reckon that everyone should read it atleast once just for fun. It was a good read.
Profile Image for Cereja Cult.
Author 0 books41 followers
July 4, 2014


description


This is a fun book and Barney is just the best. I kept laughing all trough the crazy plays and it was really enjoyable. I'm a fan of the series and when I've seen this cover I knew I just had to have it. After a massive school year I needed a break from the tension and this was just what the doctor prescribed.
This book is just like its creator: awesome!!!! But there's nothing like watching Barney act the plays.
I recommend this book to everyone that wants to laugh wile learn how to pick up chicks and being awesome.
Now when I think that things are not so good, I just stop being sad and be awesome instead. Yeah, real story, guys.


Here is the awesome video of it, is a resume of the chapters of the "PLAYBOOK":

http://youtu.be/Y7ZVEvxSR7g
Profile Image for Scarlet Cameo.
667 reviews409 followers
December 2, 2015
El libro es gracioso, y tiene una sección de consejos para mujeres, pero no es nada imprescindible (tal vez el que no fuera super fan de HIMYM influyo en que no me fuera "espectacular"), pero a todas luces el personaje de Barrney se trasluce y reconoce, así que si es que siempre deseaste ser un don juan empedernido como el he aquí sus trucos.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

P.D. No había reparado en la utilidad del papel aluminio en las artes amorosas
Profile Image for Perry Reed.
71 reviews
November 25, 2010
If you like How I Met Your Mother, you'll love this book. It contains "every scam, con, hustle, hoodwink, gambit, flimflam, strategem, and bamboozle [Barney Stinson has] ever used or ever hope[s] to use to pick up chicks and give them the business."

Most of the plays in the playbook are lifted directly from the TV show, but that doesn't make them any less fun -- or funny -- to read.

This is the second book by Barney Stinson (yes, the character is listed as the author) that I've read and I highly recommend it as a light, fun read.
Profile Image for Onka.
357 reviews40 followers
April 28, 2016
I don’t know. Maybe I’m just stupid or too ignorant but I don’t get the “funny aspect” of this book. I used to enjoy watching the show HIMYM (until season 5) and I just loved its humor and everything. And I chose this book because of great reviews where words like “amazing” and “hilarious” showed up. But.. I don’t know… Although it was a light read etc. I found it lame sometimes even boring. 2,5 stars for those few (maybe 10) lines that really made me laugh.
Profile Image for Heba El Saeid Mohammed.
Author 3 books332 followers
December 5, 2014
hahahaha :D it was nice to be in barney's mind again after " how i met your mother " ended :D

i tried to get that book audio but i couldn't :(

i love that show and when i knew that the playbook and the bro code are actually out there i was too excited to read them :D

some of the plays are done in the show already .. and some of them just been mentioned

but it was nice to finally read .. the playbook :D

Profile Image for Mohamed.
78 reviews21 followers
February 25, 2012
We can obviously conclude that The Playbook is a book used for recreation or humor. However, I don't think I would've ever read it if I weren't an avid fan of How I Met Your Mother, from which I learnt about the magnificent playbook. Even though 80% of the plays there aren't applicable in reality, I don't think that there are obstacles that might stop us from simulating one. ;P
Profile Image for Mikaela.
254 reviews83 followers
January 13, 2011
Being a big How I Met Your Mother fan, I have to say that I loved this book. It was hilariously funny, though I know that if a guy tried any of these plays on me... well. Let's just say the scam's aren't 100% fullproof! Still. A cute and very quick read.
Profile Image for TraceyL.
990 reviews161 followers
February 10, 2020
It's a silly book which ties in to the TV show How I Met Your Mother. I love Neil Patrick Harris and he narrates the audiobook. I got a few laughs out of it. There's literally no reason to read this if you don't know who the Barney Stinson character is.
Profile Image for Zei.
364 reviews21 followers
January 13, 2015
well this was a fun read...you can really sense the caracter of Barney behind it.
I suppose it would make a stupid and embarassing gift for one of your "bros" haha
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,583 reviews58 followers
December 30, 2015
Ehrlich, wenn auch nur eine dieser Maschen bei irgendeiner Frau funktioniert, dann schäme ich mich für alle Frauen der Welt :D
Profile Image for Annerie RooibosReads.
111 reviews6 followers
December 28, 2019
This was soooo much fun! I was laughing throughout the entire play book! It brought back so many 'How I Met Your Mother' memories!

I highly recommend this to any and all How I Met Your Mother fans!
Profile Image for Sujit.
16 reviews
April 6, 2020
This book was a conversation starter for me :) .

The plays are hilarious and not at all practical. But, its worth trying :)
Profile Image for Laura.
257 reviews19 followers
September 19, 2024
Back when How I meet your mother was hugely popular, I watched the show. Though to be honest I don't think I watched every season..anyway..somewhere along those lines I ended up buying a copy of this book. I think the only reason I brought was cause I like books that have a screen adaptation.

I am curious to know if any man has attempted anything from this playbook?

Also it's a 2010 book and eeck..it's dated. 😂
Profile Image for Fatemeh Ghazanfari .
16 reviews8 followers
January 14, 2023
مثل هر کتاب آموزشیِ خوب (نه در واقع) اولش با یه تست تعیین سطح شروع می‌شه تا مشخص بشه از کجا باید شروع به خودندنش بکنید ولی یه چیزی که خوب متوجه نشدم تفاوت همین سطوح مختلفه که بر چه اساسیه.
قبل هر play یه سری ویژگی‌های کلی‌ رو نوشته مثل احتمال موفقیت، جامعه هدف، ابزارهای مورد نیاز و ... تا سر بعضی مواقع الکی وقتتون رو تلف نکنین.
بر خلاف the bro code‌ برای اینکه یکم از سکسیست بودنش کم کنه، مجبور شده یه بخش غیرضروریِ کوتاه با عنوانِ the playbook for chicks هم اضافه کنه.
در کل ارزش خوندن نداره و به اندازه Bro code مفرح نیست.
Profile Image for Daphne.
1,042 reviews18 followers
August 13, 2015


I want to say that this book is LEGEN-wait-for-it-DARY but...it wasn't.

The playbook is an absolutely hilarious book with all the well known plays (and some new ones) and all of them are great and would totally work on girls. Or not... Use The Playbook at your own risk.

I think this book was published sometime during season 6, so, it didn't have my all time favorite play in it . Maybe that's why I wasn't as wowed as I thought I would be.

Nevertheless, I would definitely recommend this book to you if you love the show (HIMYM). You would still enjoy this book if you haven't watched the show, but I think fans will definitely get more enjoyment out of this book more if you've watched the show and get all the jokes.
Profile Image for Jackie.
188 reviews52 followers
July 25, 2011
Nobody can run a better play than the ultimate Bro: Barney Stinson. The HIMYM character literally wrote the book on how to score girls and breaks it down to success rates, targets, and levels of expertise. Try not to laugh. I dare you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews

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