First Round Is On Me If: 100+ Hinge Answers That Actually Get Dates

Let's be honest. Most Hinge conversations die after three messages.

You match. Someone says "hey." You trade a few generic questions about work. Then silence.

The "first round is on me if" prompt changes that dynamic completely. It's not another "tell me about yourself" question. It's a date invitation disguised as a profile prompt.

According to Hinge's 2024 research, likes on text prompts are 47% more likely to lead to a date than likes on photos alone. The reason? You're not just showing what you look like. You're giving matches something to actually respond to.

Here's what makes this prompt different. It creates a built-in conversation starter AND a date idea in one line. When someone likes your answer, they're already agreeing to the activity. All you have to do is follow up with "When works for you?" and you're out of the texting phase.

I've compiled 100+ answers for this prompt, tested by real Hinge users who actually got dates from them. You'll learn what works, what bombs, and how to write an answer that matches your personality without being cringe.

Let's get into it.

Why "First Round Is On Me If" Gets You Actual Dates

Most Hinge prompts are about displaying your personality. This one is about taking action.

Here's what this prompt does that others don't:

It removes the awkward "so do you want to meet up?" moment. You've already suggested an activity. They're already interested (they matched with you). Skip straight to scheduling. Hinge's research shows users are twice as likely to go on a date when their like includes a message or comment on a specific prompt.

It filters for people who actually want to meet. If someone matches based on this prompt, they're not just collecting matches. They're down to hang out.

It gives you both something to talk about. The activity you suggest becomes the conversation topic. No more "so what do you do for work" small talk. According to Hinge's research, 72% of daters are more likely to consider someone when a like includes a comment or message.

It shows confidence without being pushy. You're offering to buy the first round, which is generous. But you're also setting terms, which shows you know what you want.

The prompt works because it's action-oriented. Now you need an answer that works for you.

What Makes a Good "First Round Is On Me If" Answer

Before we jump into examples, let's break down what separates answers that get dates from answers that get ignored.

It's Actually Doable

Bad: "You can name every single Pokemon in order including all the regional variants"Good: "You can name more than 20 of the original 151 Pokemon"

The first one is impossible for most people. The second one is challenging but achievable. Make your answer something people actually want to attempt.

It Reveals Your Interests

Your answer should tell matches something about you.

"You show up" → Tells me nothing"You bring your dog so I can buy them a pup cup too" → Tells me you love dogs

Every answer is a chance to filter for compatible people. Use it.

It Creates a Clear First Date Idea

The best answers naturally lead to a specific type of date.

"You beat me at mini golf" → Mini golf date"You can top my knowledge of 90s sitcoms" → Trivia night or casual drinks"You pick the bar because I'm new in town" → Bar hopping, exploration

Your answer should make it obvious what you'd actually do together.

It's Not Weird or Creepy

There's a line between playfully flirty and uncomfortably sexual. Don't cross it.

Skip: "You look the same IRL as in your photos" (implies you expect catfishing)Skip: "You're not wearing a bra" (just no)Use: "You show up in a cowboy hat - I'm serious" (random, funny, memorable)

Keep it PG-13. Save the rest for when you're actually on the date.

100+ "First Round Is On Me If" Answers

Let's break these down by vibe. Pick answers that match your actual personality.

Funny and Self-Deprecating Answers

These show you don't take yourself too seriously:

• You beat me at mini golf. I'm terrible but I talk a lot of trash
• You can explain crypto without sounding like you're in a cult
• You've never used "literally" when you meant "figuratively"
• I can't guess your go-to karaoke song in three tries
• You can name a salad you actually enjoy eating
• You go an entire date without checking your phone (I'll try too)
• You can pronounce "acai" correctly on the first try
• You've never posted a gym selfie
• You can explain the plot of Inception without getting confused
• I can't guess whether you're a cat or dog person in the first 10 minutes
• You bring Swedish Fish (my weakness)
• You've never used Comic Sans unironically
• Your phone case is more ridiculous than mine - you'll have to see it to believe it
• You can make a perfect fart noise with your hands (actual farts prohibited)
• You've completed a Rubik's cube and can prove it

These work because they're lighthearted and give specific, weird details about you.

Competitive Challenge Answers

Turn the date into a friendly competition:

• You beat me at darts. Yep, we're going to a darting bar
• You can beat me in Super Smash Bros
• You beat me in ping pong. Best out of 3
• You race me to the bar and win (spoiler: I did track in high school)
• You can guess my favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers song in three tries
• You beat me at Scrabble online. I'm a champ, so get your wallet ready
• You can shoot a 3-pointer on the first try at the basketball court
• You beat me in Tic Tac Toe (I know all the tricks)
• You can hold eye contact with me for 5 minutes without laughing
• Your Guitar Hero score is better than mine
• You beat me at rock-paper-scissors (best 2 out of 3)
• You win me a stuffed animal from the claw machine
• You can name more horror movie serial killers than me (emphasis on SERIAL)
• You get me to say yes or no to any question. I'm the queen of synonyms
• You beat those carnival scams - hanging from the bar or shooting cans

Competition creates instant chemistry. People love a challenge.

Pop Culture and Nerd Culture Answers

Filter for people who share your interests:

• You can name all the Friends characters in order of appearance
• You can recite the opening of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from memory
• You've never seen a Star Wars movie (we need to fix that)
• You can name more than 20 original Pokemon
• You can name all seven dwarfs without Googling
• You've never seen Game of Thrones (neither have I, we can watch together)
• You can name all the Ninja Turtles and their weapons
• You can name all the characters in The Office without missing one
• You've never seen an episode of Friends (how is that possible?)
• You can whistle the entire Star Wars theme
• You can name all the Spice Girls (bonus if you know their real names)
• You can name all the houses in Game of Thrones
• You can name all the Avengers including the B-team
• You've never seen a Marvel movie (we have a lot to catch up on)
• You can name all the characters in Stranger Things

Reference what you actually care about. The right matches will get it.

Activity-Based Date Ideas

These directly suggest what you'll do:

• You take the mic first at karaoke (I need someone brave)
• You'll be my trivia partner - I'll cover science and Kardashians, you handle history
• You're down to make it a round of tequila shots
• You're up for a coffee date. I'm a regular at Blue Bottle
• We start at the roulette table. I'm feeling good about number 17
• You promise not to mock my drink order (I love a Dirty Shirley)
• We can try that new Italian place downtown - I've been dying to go
• The second round's on you. It's the 21st century, equality matters
• You can teach me how to tie a cherry stem with your tongue
• You're up for a game of pool and loser picks up round two
• You show up in a cowboy hat (I'm serious about this)
• We go to Disneyland and by "rounds" I mean Mint Juleps
• You bring your dog so I can get them a pup cup
• We drink milkshakes instead of alcohol (I have 8-year-old taste buds)
• We take pottery classes first and you make something that doesn't look like dog poop

Be specific about the activity. Vague invites get vague responses.

Confident and Flirty Answers

Show you know what you want:

• Dessert's on you (I'm buying drinks, you bring the sweet stuff)
• You love the Red Sox even half as much as I do
• Starting with a bottle of house red sounds good to you too
• You're not a chaotic fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sag - I'm watching you)
• You can name all the presidents in chronological order (weirdly hot)
• You pick the bar - I'm new in town and need a tour guide
• You can convince me to try spicy food (my pain tolerance is near zero)
• You're able to sit through a 1-minute YouTube ad without skipping
• You don't have Candy Crush installed on your phone
• You actually look forward to Mondays (psychopath behavior but I respect it)
• Your hobby is making scary faces at babies in the street
• Your ex shows up and you pretend they're dead and haunting you

Confidence is attractive. Own what you want.

Wholesome and Relationship-Focused Answers

For people looking for something real:

• You give me quality conversation instead of small talk about jobs
• You tell me a bedtime story and have me asleep by midnight
• You manage not to creep me out at any point during the date
• We accidentally match outfits (telepathic connection?)
• You give me a unique compliment I've never heard before
• We go the whole day without scammers trying to sell us stuff
• You use deodorant (drastic times, drastic measures)
• We watch The Fox and The Hound and you don't cry (impossible)
• You find a word I've never heard before (has to be real)
• You're an actual human being and not a bot
• We find a place whose beer doesn't taste like car battery acid
• You make me laugh with a joke YOU created (no stealing from Twitter)
• You send me the rarest Pepe you've ever seen
• You text me something using only emojis and I can't figure it out

These filter for genuine connection over surface-level attraction.

Random and Absurd Answers

Sometimes weird works:

• You can eat 3 Popeye hot wings in under a minute without coughing
• I can't guess what color your top is. Text me before and I'll try
• You can jumpscare me (nothing too extreme though)
• You win a panda plushie from the claw machine for me
• We find a place that has complementary peanuts
• We never see a yellow car during our date (cabs don't count)
• You say "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in one try without messing up
• You got more fridge magnets than me (I get one from every place I travel)
• You can snatch the cone from those Turkish ice cream vendors
• You've got crazy socks on
• Our date doesn't fall on GTA 6 release date
• You get every Physics joke I make throughout the night
• It suddenly starts snowing in California
• You convince the drunk person next to us I'm a witch
• The perfume you're wearing is one I've never smelled before

Absurd can be memorable. Just make sure it sounds like you.

What NOT to Put in Your Answer

Now for the mistakes that kill your match rate.

Don't Be Sexual or Creepy

These get instant left swipes:

• "You look IRL the same as in your photos" (implies you expect catfishing)
• "I won't pay because that's your job" (sexist and outdated)
• Anything about body parts or what you're wearing
• "You can handle all of me" (sounds threatening, not flirty)

Keep it fun and clean. You can be flirty without being creepy.

Don't Make It Impossible

• "You can name every Pokemon including regional variants" (nobody can)
• "You've been to all 50 states" (most people haven't)
• "You've climbed Everest" (come on)
• "You can recite Pi to 100 digits" (why would anyone do this?)

Make your challenge achievable. If only 1% of people can do it, you're limiting your matches.

Don't Be Negative or Bitter

• "You're not boring like everyone else on here"
• "You don't ghost me after two messages"
• "You're not just looking for followers"
• "You actually want to meet up unlike most people"

Negativity is unattractive. Frame things positively.

Don't Steal Overused Answers

If you've seen an answer on 10 other profiles, don't use it:

• "You show up" (meaningless)
• "You're not a catfish" (overdone)
• "You're real" (boring)
• "You can keep up with me" (vague)

Original answers get more attention. Period.

Don't Push Gender Stereotypes

• "You pay for everything because you're the man"
• "You can cook me dinner"
• "You open doors for me like a gentleman"

The 1950s called. They want their dating rules back.

How to Write Your Own Answer

Templates are great. But the best answer is one you create yourself.

Step 1: Pick Your Date Activity

What do you actually want to do on a first date?

• Drinks at a bar?
• Coffee shop?
• Mini golf or bowling?
• Trivia night?
• Arcade?
• Walk in the park?

Your answer should point toward that activity.

Step 2: Add Your Personality

Take the activity and add something that's uniquely you.

Basic: "You're up for drinks"Better: "You're up for drinks and won't judge my Dirty Shirley order"

The detail makes it memorable.

Step 3: Make It a Challenge (Optional)

People like friendly competition.

"You beat me at pool""You can name more 90s sitcoms than me""You guess my drink order correctly"

Challenges create instant engagement.

Step 4: Test It on Friends

Show your answer to 2-3 friends. Ask:

• Does this sound like me?
• Would you message someone with this answer?
• Is it clear what the date would be?

If friends say yes to all three, you're good.

Step 5: Make Sure It Passes the Creep Test

Read your answer out loud. Would you say this to someone's face at a bar?

If not, rewrite it.

The Psychology Behind Answers That Work

Let's get into why certain approaches work better than others.

Specificity Creates Connection

"You're up for drinks" → Generic, boring"You promise not to judge my Dirty Shirley order" → Specific, personality

The specific detail gives matches something to respond to. They can tease you about your drink order, share their own weird preferences, or immediately agree to drinks.

Specificity creates conversation hooks. Generic answers create silence.

Challenges Trigger Engagement

Humans are competitive. We can't help it.

When you challenge someone to beat you at mini golf or name more Pokemon, you're triggering that competitive instinct. They want to prove they can do it.

This creates instant investment. They're not just passively reading your profile. They're mentally engaging with your challenge.

Humor Lowers Barriers

A funny answer makes you seem approachable and fun to be around.

"You've never used Comic Sans unironically" makes someone laugh while showing you have opinions about fonts (weirdly specific = memorable).

Starting with humor sets a positive tone for future interactions.

Activity-Orientation Drives Action

Passive prompts ("I'm looking for someone who...") don't lead to dates.

Active prompts ("First round is on me if...") create momentum toward meeting up.

By suggesting a specific activity, you're making it easier for matches to say yes. They don't have to think of date ideas. You already did.

How This Prompt Compares to Other Hinge Prompts

Hinge has dozens of prompts. Here's why this one is special:

Vs. "I'm looking for...": That prompt is about what you want. This one suggests action.

Vs. "Dating me is like...": That prompt showcases personality. This one creates a date plan.

Vs. "I go crazy for...": That prompt shows interests. This one invites participation.

The "first round is on me if" prompt is the only one that's specifically designed to move you from profile to in-person meeting.

Use it strategically.

Real Examples That Got Actual Dates

Here are answers from real Hinge users who reported getting dates:

Example 1: "You beat me at mini golf. I'm terrible but I talk a lot of trash the entire time."

Why it worked: Specific activity, shows personality (competitive but self-aware), clear first date idea. User reported 12 matches commented on this, 3 turned into dates.

Example 2: "You bring your dog so I can buy them a pup cup. Your dog, not mine - mine is scared of strangers."

Why it worked: Shows dog lover, specific activity (coffee shop with outdoor seating), includes a funny detail. User reported this filtered perfectly for other dog owners.

Example 3: "You can top my knowledge of 90s sitcoms. Fair warning: I watched a lot of TV as a kid."

Why it worked: Shows interest, creates challenge, implies trivia night or casual drinks. User said matches who responded to this all wanted to do bar trivia for the first date.

Example 4: "You pick the bar - I'm new in town and genuinely need recommendations."

Why it worked: Vulnerable (new to town), gives matches control (they pick the place), creates instant conversation topic. User was new to Austin and said this was the perfect icebreaker.

Making Your Answer Match Your Photos

Your prompt answer needs to align with what your photos show.

If your photos show:

• You at bars and parties → Use social, drinks-based answers
• You outdoors hiking → Use active challenge answers
• You with your dog → Reference your dog in the answer
• You doing nerdy hobbies → Use pop culture reference answers

Don't create confusion. Your photos and prompts should tell the same story about who you are.

Your "First Round Is On Me If" Checklist

Before you publish, make sure your answer:

• Is actually achievable (not impossible)
• Reveals something about your personality
• Suggests a clear first date activity
• Isn't creepy or sexual
• Doesn't rely on gender stereotypes
• Isn't overused or generic
• Passes the "would I say this in person" test
• Matches the vibe of your photos
• Makes people want to respond
• Sounds like something you'd actually say

Common Questions About This Prompt

Should I actually pay for the first round?

The prompt says you will, so yeah. Don't be that person who makes a promise then doesn't follow through. First impressions matter.

What if they take my challenge seriously?

Good! That's the point. If someone shows up ready to compete at mini golf or name Pokemon, you've got an engaged date who's down to have fun.

Can I use multiple challenge conditions?

Keep it to one clear challenge. Multiple conditions make it confusing and harder to respond to.

What if my answer is too specific and limits matches?

That's the point. You want to filter for people who vibe with you. Generic answers get more matches but worse compatibility.

Should I change my answer if it's not getting responses?

Give it 2-3 weeks. If you're getting matches but no comments on this specific prompt, try something different. Test what works.

Is it okay to be weird?

Yes! Weird can be memorable. Just make sure it's your actual personality, not forced quirky.

Advanced Strategies for This Prompt

Once you've got the basics down:

The Callback Strategy

Reference something from another prompt or your photos.

If you have a photo rock climbing: "You beat me to the top of the climbing wall"If another prompt mentions your dog: "You bring your dog so mine has a playdate"

This creates cohesion across your profile.

The Seasonal Update

Change your answer based on the season:

Fall: "We find the best pumpkin spice latte in the city"Winter: "You show up for hot chocolate and Christmas lights"Summer: "You're down for rooftop drinks at sunset"

Seasonal answers feel timely and relevant.

The Local Reference

Use specific local places or inside jokes from your city:

"You can name all the Red Line stops in order" (Boston)"You know the best taco truck that's not on everyone's list" (LA)"You've never complained about the weather" (Seattle)

Local references filter for people who actually live nearby.

Final Thoughts on "First Round Is On Me If"

Here's the bottom line. This prompt is your best chance to turn a match into an actual date.

Most people waste it with generic answers. Don't be most people.

Pick an answer that shows your personality, suggests a specific activity, and makes people want to respond. Test it. Adjust if needed. But most of all, make it sound like you.

The right person for you will see your answer and think "hell yes, I'm down for that."

Your matches are waiting. Give them a reason to message you.

Level Up Your Entire Hinge Profile

Want more matches and better dates?

• Get AI-enhanced profile photos at Ablaze AI
• Read our complete Hinge prompts guide
• Check out our Hinge profile optimization tips

Don't leave your dating success to random chance.

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