[PJDK]

Speaking as someone now married to a woman he met on tinder.

I took the view that if I matched with someone and they replied to a message there was a pretty high chance they were interested in a date, so I would generally just ask on the second or third message. Something like

Hi, <basic small talk question based on something in the profile>.

Hopefully receive a reply with some kind of conversational hook.

<reply to the hook, ask a follow up question>. Would you like to meet for a drink sometime this week, would central Gotham work for you? My number is 123556679

Pretty much everyone is on the site to go on real dates, so best to think of the messages as for organising them.

Your mileage may vary, but I'd say this led to a date 80% of the time (assuming the match and reply had already happened)

[abhaynayar]

I've experimented and varied my time to ask out for a date. I've asked out after a few texts after matching, and also after a few days of texting. For me, it has mostly worked out when I gave it more time.

Most of my matches have indicated they like to get more familiar before going out with a stranger. But then again, I live in India, so that probably has a lot to do with my experience.