Blind dates don't have to suck: follow our tips and you will never again find yourself tangled in a setup from hell. Later, losers!(LOVE AND LUST)

* A few years ago, Internet dating seemed like a gift from the matchmaking gods. Where else could a single chick gain access to a gazillion eligible bachelors? Fast-forward to 2006: With so many men misrepresenting themselves online ("Oh, did I say 6 feet 2? I meant 5 feet 6"), women are burning out on the Internet mating game. In fact, the number of people browsing dating sites has fallen by one-third since 2003, according to business research firm JupiterResearch.

These days, more and more women are adhering to the "everything old is new again" adage and relying more on being set up. Though blind dates can yield blissful results, there's also the potential for a real bust. "Often, friends or family will just fix up two people because they're both young and single, without really taking into account whether they're compatible," says psychologist Edward A. Dreyfus, PhD, author of Someone Right for You. "In order to be successfully matched up on a blind date, you have to take steps that will ensure you're only going out with people who actually have potential." Cribbing these tips will help:

Be Clear About Your Specific Criteria

"You have to guide matchmakers when they're trying to come up with someone you might like," says Dreyfus. And citing qualities such as cute, intelligent, and nice won't cut it. You need to be as detailed as possible about what you're looking for ... and what you're not. For example, if you love to jog and work out at the gym, don't just say you want someone who's athletic--it's not specific enough. Or if you're a dedicated liberal democrat, be adamant that you're not at all open to meeting a conservative republican.

If you're having a hard time nailing down the specifics, "reflect on the qualities you've loved in past boyfriends," suggests Dreyfus. "You can even think about your friends' boyfriends' admirable traits." And corny as it sounds, if you need help getting all of your thoughts organized, write it all down on a list for yourself.

Don't worry about being too superficial either. While it's unlikely you'll find someone who meets all of your requirements, you do need someone who passes your must-haves. So if things like tall, successful, and great dresser really matter to you, put 'era on your list. "It doesn't make you shallow--it means you're realistic about who will actually pique your interest," says dating agent David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers.

Pick the Right Matchmaker