What are the best ways to hold a guy's attention?

Really, you got to pay a little bit of attention like motorboater says; then what do you notice about him. Is he drinking or eating something? Holding something? Dressed in a certain style? You can figure out what some of his interests are through how he presents himself. Then you can also turn to things like:

Music: I love to talk about music, I never really get bored talking about it (I also don't own any video games, so music takes over there).

History: There's a lot to go on there, local history; what's in the news; family history; funny family stories; American History/ Native American History (that would surprise me); And everyone has some interest in history, somehow.

Science: I wouldn't really go there, don't talk about science, lol, unless you have too.

Goals: that we both have - do we share any? Stuff like that.

Exciting things that we have both done: who's has more of a wild side?

Pets: I love dogs.

Movies/ Tv: I've seen a bunch/ watched enough, so if you got a funny quote.

Jokes: I love to laugh, so if you got a good one.

And let me know something that I wouldn't know about you from first glance.

And what kinds of trouble you used to cause when you were a little kid, lol.

And if anything weird ever happened to you: Did you ever step foot in a haunted house? Did you ever experience Deja vue?

Hope this helped! Good luck, and, know when the conversation has run its course, so you got something to talk about next time.

Stay on your toes and keep thinking about "why?" questions to ask. Not statements to make or "yes/no" questions to ask.

Meaning, keep asking him what he thinks and why. To make it much easier on you, you don't even need to care what the topic is or what his answer will be. Instead focus on whatever he just said and find out more about why he feels that way.

You'll totally keep him talking about whatever he likes, and at the end he'll think you're a terrific conversationalist. And if you aren't paying attention/don't care, just ask him again some other day and he'll love talking about himself and his favorites over and over again.

And stay away from "Do you like the Giants?" (yes/no) Because he might just say "Yes" and then there's a pause and then you feel like a bad conversation is happening. Instead its "Why are the Giants so good this year?" whatever his theory is just look for the next connection you can draw:

You: "What are the Giants so good this year?"
Him: "I don't know."
You: INTENTIONAL, rapt pause because he'll feel like he's ignorant unless he educates you on his favorite subject, football!
Him: "Probably their defense."
You: "What makes their defense so good?" (like you care)
Him: "I don't know...pressure on the quarterback."
You: "Really? Why do they do that than the others?"
Him: "Well, because Umenyiora's a stud. Plus they got Strahan coming off the other side and nobody can block both sides all day long."
You: "Wow, you know a lot. But what about their offense?
Him: "Well, Manning really grew up in the playoffs. He used to choke but now I think he's hit a higher gear. And they have a deep set of receivers"
You: "Why do you think Manning grew up?"
Him: "I bet because he wanted to be like his brother. Plus he got tired of everyone giving hard time so he really gave it 110%..."

See, even if you don't know or give a damn about the Giants, you can make him think you're having a terrific conversation about his favorite team AND that he's truly insightful. He will seek out many more like conversations with you.