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You don't have to date a guy for six months to get the lowdown on who he really is. With the right clues, you can size him up in 10 minutes. "A man's actions � especially the ones you see in unguarded moments when he's not going out of his way to try to impress you (or doesn't realize you're watching) � can speak volumes about his character and personality traits," says Rita Benasutti, PhD, a psychotherapist who specializes in couple's issues. To help you decode a guy you've just started seeing, Cosmo called on a team of experts to tell you how to assess his actions and tap into his boyfriend potential, pronto. His Favorite Sport "Solo sportsmen, like runners and swimmers, 1. savor their independence and relish spending a lot of time alone," says relationship-skills coach Steve Nakamoto, author of Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man. Men who are fans of mainstream team sports, like football, basketball, and baseball, 2. tend to be competitive � on the field and in all aspects of their life � and they like to hang with their entourage. As for the guy who's just not into sports at all, 3. "he's an independent thinker, usually on the sensitive side." How Long He's Been Hanging with His Friends A guy who has been friends with the same posse since he was 10 years old can certainly claim 4. loyalty as one of his strong suits. But "you better like what you see, because he's probably not great with change," says dating coach Liz H. Kelly, author of Smart Man Hunting. "And be patient, because it will take a while for you to win his trust." If your date has buddies from all areas of his life � i.e., college, the gym, work � don't be afraid to drag him to your cousin's wedding. 5. "He has no problem schmoozing strangers and adapts to new situations easily." Credit vs. Cash A guy who likes to flash his plastic 6. craves status. "He may be ambitious and confident. He'll reach his financial goals," says Rob Ronin, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and registered financial consultant. "If he always pays in cash, 7. he's self-sufficient and independent," which might make him a difficult dude to corner. And if his wallet is dry? 8. Here's a guy who's dependent on others to take care of him. His Bad Habits Gambling men 9. are risk-takers, which can make them a lot of fun. "But their over-the-top optimism that they'll come out ahead makes it difficult for them to face reality," says Mitchell Parks, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville. "Hard-core smokers 10. tend to be anxious," says Dr. Parks, so it can be hard to pin them down for couple-time. And if he's a boozer, 11. he could be hiding his insecurity behind his buzz. His Communication Style When your date opts to email you � rather than call � 12. he could be a hard nut to crack. "The fact that he chooses a communication method that allows him to edit what he says signals that he might not want to show his true self," says Jeff Bryson, PhD, professor of psychology at San Diego State University. An IM addict 13. craves your nonstop attention and needs that instant assurance that you're there for him. And the phone fan? 14. He might be a little old-fashioned and likes to do things by the book. But, according to Bryson, "He's not afraid of intimacy."