Well...I never have started a friendship with the idea of it ever being more than that...so no deception at all...in fact I go out of my way to make sure that kind of thing doesn't ruin the friendship.... I'm not saying I go out with friends...just that if I wanted to get a girlfriend right now I would look for someone I already knew so I had an idea what she was all about.
To be fair to you..I haven't ever really tried to do it the way you recommend...I never really needed to...it probably works just as well as you say...I just prefer to not go into things with no clue what kind of girl she is...but if you are going into the whole thing more for fun than anything, I would agree that meeting lots of people and treating it as a game to be learned is the best way.
But I will agree with you...confidence is everything. Not just in dating, but in everything from bull riding to hunting. People will always be attracted to someone who is confident in themselves and feels good to be around.