I'm struggling to 'hook' girls. I don't feel nervous opening. I might just open with 'hi' and get a 'hi' back if i'm lucky and then i'll start to think of a way to start an actual conversation

Ideally they might maybe be wearing or doing something that is worthy of comment, but that isn't often the case.

I tend to ask their name and we exchange small talk, but I never really have their interest.

From reading, the general advice seems to be to COLD READ and to STORY TELL/DHV.

Story telling appears to be more 'old school'/mystery method stuff though. He might just break out into some story about saving his ex stripper girlfriend to make him look good for example. All a bit weird and obvious?

Cold reading I am more comfortable with, but it doesn't often seem to actually get me anywhere.

What else could I try? How do you personally go about reaching the 'hook point' after you open a girl at the bar? Do you have some sort of 'system'? (I don't like that word much in this context, but it's the best I've got at the moment...)