Why Do Guys Play Hard to Get? (11 Secret Reasons)

They say it’s difficult to read a woman, but it’s also sometimes applicable to a few men, especially those you like. 

They might drop you some apparent hints that they want you too. However, they’re playing it hard to get the very next day. 

Is this something that you relate to as well? You like someone and somewhat feel a similar vibe from them. But, sometimes, they’re acting hard, and you don’t know the reason for such behavior. 

If all these questions and thoughts are agitating your mind, you’re just at the right place. Hold your breath because, in this blog post, I will tell you 11 possible reasons why guys play hard to get.  

Do Guys Play Hard to Get If They Like You?

Before we move to the reasons, let me tell you that a guy who likes you will play hard to get!

Usually, that’s not the case with most men. They’re primarily direct with their feelings if they’re into a woman. 

Just like girls, boys love getting attention too. They, too, love being pampered and loved.

Hence, they might play it hard to get in a few cases. The reasons could be many, like hesitations, trust issues, previous experiences, etc. It could also be related to your behavior; they wonder if you’re the right person to woo.

Unraveling the Mystery: 11 Reasons Why Guys Play Hard to Get

By now, you know it’s often unusual for a man to behave so hard to get. If he’s doing so, there might be a few reasons behind his behavior. Let us unveil the possible reasons he’s playing hard to get. 

1. You Are ‘Always’ Available.

It’s a typical girl’s psychology to be instantly available for a guy she likes. Being one, I can totally relate to it. But, this easiness can sometimes be your greatest enemy. 

During my talking stage with Ankit, I had been through something very similar. 

Because I liked him, I was always too available for him, would always oblige to his opinion, and would try to adjust to his personality. I failed to understand that being so easy with him made him play hard to get. 

Are you doing the same to the guy you like? 

If yes, it’s time now to take a pause. The guy might like you, but your “easy” behavior might not help him see your worth and confidence. So, UNDO this behavior ASAP! 

He might play hard to get, but his heart might soften when he sees the shift in your attitude. He might finally start seeing the actual beautiful woman you’re, just as he thought of you earlier. 

Yes, being available for him is absolutely necessary. Making him feel important is essential. However, always maintain your sole personality while trying to fit in. When you are solely yourself, it attracts him, and he might shed his ‘hard’ personality.

2. They Want to Build Your Interest in Them.

One of the main reasons a guy might be playing hard to get is that he wants to build your interest in him. He might be looking forward to seeing if you want to get to know him. 

When me and Ankit often discuss and giggle during our initial talking phase, we can’t help but laugh out loud. 

He admits he’d pull away sometimes to see if I was interested enough in him. Will I work on the things that would get us together? When he used to do this back then, I’d be pissed off sometimes. But glad we are cherishing those moments today together.

The scenario may be the same with the man you like as well. He likes you, too, and wants an answer to all the unspoken queries he has in his mind. He might be dying to see how far you will take it to know more about him if he’s playing hard to get. 

So, my dear, you need not be upset thinking he is pulling away from you. It’s all in your head; if you observe more, you’ll soon figure out the most beautiful thing waiting for you! 

3. You’re Too Direct About Your Feelings.

See, there’s nothing wrong with making the first move to let them know you’re into them. But there’s time for everything. No matter how strong urges you’re having from the inside, trying to control them, in the beginning, is a good call. 

As a girl, I can relate to this feeling as I have been in the same shoes. Upon realizing I had feelings for Ankit, I’d often give him clear hints. He liked me too, but I was too quick to expect things. 

See, it’s okay to drop hints and be playful sometimes. But, as I mentioned already, everything has a time. 

Take the time to know each other and give each other the time to figure out what you want out of the relationship. The guy might not want to woo you when he sees you’re too direct. That’s when he might play hard to get. 

I know, my dear, getting this gesture from the man of your dreams is the last thing you’d want. And that’s why you have to play your cards well. 

4. He Is a Bit Nervous.

One of the most prominent reasons a guy might be playing hard to get is his nervousness. He likes and wants to be with you but is nervous about speaking up.

Though I had no such experience with Ankit, my friend Kajal went through the same. Bihan, her boyfriend, was initially very nervous about opening up to her, and that would sometimes implore her to believe he was being hard. 

A past trauma might be one of the reasons behind a guy’s nervousness. Maybe he didn’t have the best of experiences in his last relationship, so he doesn’t know how to proceed now. 

Or, he might be thinking, what if you make a drama in front of everyone if he confesses his feelings? Or, it is his first time to like a girl, and he doesn’t know how to go about it. 

There could be enough reasons he is nervous, making you feel he is playing hard to get. That’s why I mentioned initially in the post that giving each person the time to understand their feelings is essential. 

Once both of you are comfortable with each other, it’ll be easier to come to terms with each other’s expectations. 

5. He Might Be Shy to Open Up. 

Another factor that would be coming between you two is his shyness. For an introvert or shy person, being very direct or obvious with their feelings is challenging. Their gestures could feel like they’re playing hard to get. 

I haven’t ever had this experience with Ankit because he’s an extrovert. However, the thing with the man you like may be the opposite because he’s a little shy. 

One day he is smart enough to talk to you freely, but the next day, he might feel different in terms of confidence. So when he pulls away the next day, you might take it as his roughness to be away from you. 

But, my dear, that might not be the case! I have seen Kajal, one of my high schoolmates, going through something similar with her current boyfriend because he used to be a bit shy earlier in terms of opening up. 

So, if you ever see him being hard to get, try to initiate conversations without sounding too desperate. Making him feel he belongs is vital, so he dares to speak to you about his feelings. 

6. He’s Up for Something Casual. 

You may not be prepared to hear this, but it’s my responsibility to tell you both the white and dark sides of the coin!

While it could be for various good reasons, he’s pulling away; sometimes, there’s another side too. Maybe, it’s all about fun for him, and he’s only looking for something casual. 

A few months before meeting Ankit, I was seeing a guy. Don’t wish to reveal his name, so let it be Deb. I was optimistic about our equation and planned to take things to the next level. 

He’d have a dry response and would only text me during the night for some ‘fun’ or when he felt lonely. 

I’d be dejected not knowing how to evaluate his behavior. A few days later, he had a serious relationship with another girl. That’s when I realized he was only up for casuals with me. 

The case might be the same with the man you like; he might only see you for fun. You need to figure that out because it will hurt you badly in the long run.

7. He’s Not Looking for a Relationship Currently. 

Sometimes we need to prepare ourselves for the harsh truth that our heart wants to escape. One such could be the guy not being ready for a relationship. 

A significant reason he’s being hard to get is that he needs to prepare for a relationship. 

If he understands you’ve started falling for him, he wants to pull away because he doesn’t want to set false expectations or hurt you. 

Ankit and I were both ready for a relationship, so nothing like this happened between us or with Kajal. But one of my colleagues had been through something similar. 

The guy liked him, was affectionate and everything. But he was not ready for a relationship because he hadn’t overcome his past relationship yet. There might be various reasons why he’s not up for a relationship like: 

• He hasn’t come out of his previous relationship yet or moved on from his ex. 
• He’s too busy arranging his career and doesn’t want to shift his focus to love right now. 
• He just doesn’t get the feeling with you. 

No matter the reason, you need to figure this out early to avoid any confusion or sadness going ahead. 

8. He is Not Interested in You.

Is he playing hard to get, or is he not interested? Knowing the answer is essential for your future. 

You might nurture beautiful dreams with him, but everything will be shattered if their goals don’t align with yours. That’s why you must not rush even when you have started developing feelings for them. 

Life is hard. Relationships must be the least of your worries. Filtering out expectations right in the beginning is essential. 

One prominent reason he plays hard is that he’s not interested in you. You might be a good friend to him, but he doesn’t want to have any romantic connection with you. 

If that’s the case, you need to step back. Pulling away from someone you like or see dreams with might sadden you. But it will save you from intense heartbreak in the future. You need to understand you can’t force someone to choose you, nor that fits with your worth.

So if he’s being rough because he isn’t interested in you, that’s the ultimate sign for you to move on from him. 

9. You’re a Bit Aggressive.

A lot was done with the negative thoughts. Let’s get back to something more positive. 

He might be playing hard to get because of your aggressive nature. That might be unintentional from your end, and unknowingly, you’re intimidating him. 

I had this issue with Ankit a few times. I’d be too loud in our conversations, keeping on with my thoughts and discussions. 

While I absolutely loved his company, I sometimes overlooked that he could have an opinion too. At such times, Ankit would react but not directly. He would start playing hard to get, imploring me to think, where did I go wrong? 

Our story has only positives because we are together now. If you also want to be with him, note this – Be as gentle as you can and consider his opinions. 

The feeling of belonging will impress him and reduce his hesitations. 

10. His Friends Have an Issue With You.

It might not be good to say, but he’s playing it hard because his friends don’t like you. 

It’s typical human psychology to be influenced by the people around us. We value our friends’ opinions. Plus, we often have the fear of what if they’re right. What if things don’t work out the exact way we’re expecting?

Friends are often looked upon as an extended family. We share so many fond memories with him. They’re our well-wishers, so ignoring them or their opinions is impossible. 

So, if his friends tell him to avoid you, he might be playing it hard. He’s torn between his friend’s opinion and the fact that he likes you. 

Don’t worry, my dear! If he’s really a MAN and likes you, he’ll face everything just to be with you. With time, his friends will realize that yes! You’re the best fit their friend could ever get in his life.

11. He Feels It Won’t Last Forever. 

History and experiences are integral in people’s lives, and you can’t ignore your past chapters, especially, if they hold traumatic or saddening experiences. It’s difficult to wash them off from your brain. 

The guy you like might have a dark past where he didn’t have the best experience with his love interest. The trust issues might make him think things won’t work out with you in the long run. That’s why he’s playing it hard to get. 

There might be various reasons why he’s thinking so:

• His past relationship ended abruptly. 
• He has been through a similar experience in his family. 
• He hasn’t got the signs from you about a long-lasting relationship.

The first two are partially in your hands. You can make the guy feel important and cared for but nothing beyond that. 

However, you might have to do some serious work for the third one. You like the guy, but your gestures have to still indicate it or make him sure about your feelings. 

If that’s the case, start showing up more for him (obviously with boundaries). He must know that feelings are mutual, which will encourage him to keep his fears away. 

Wrapping Up

With that, we come to the end of our blog. Understanding a man you like is pretty easy if you’re observant. 

However, I never recommend overthinking or going crazy about his gestures. That won’t serve you any purpose. 

Instead, be patient with everything and keep playing your part gently. Know your limits and worth and act just like a WOMAN. 

Whatever is meant for you will fall into place right on time with the most beautiful results!