I just had an opponent on Redhotpawn.com tell me “Play well……..but not THAT well.” which is pretty funny. It made me think of different comments people make when starting a game of chess.
My favorite of all time is Dan Avery’s “Let’s have fun”. It is original and kind of silly, but I think Dan actually means it. I remember one time LaMoyne was making signs for the boards and he made one for Dan that said “Let’s have fun, on board one”.
I personally like to say “Good Luck <Person’s name>”. This seems like the most normal and natural thing to say. It also follows Dale Carnegie’s rule that everyones favorite word in the world is their first name. It seems like some people don’t say “Good Luck”, because they don’t actually want their opponent to have good luck. I can understand this. I don’t literally want my opponent to get lucky, but it is a polite thing to say. Some people might say there is no luck in chess, but I think that there is.
In one of my games over the weekend at the 5th Al Ufer Memorial I accidently touched the wrong piece. I had an obvious response, but I started day dreaming about the future position where my king would be in check, and where I would move it to. I touched my king for a brief nanosecond in a trance like daze, and realized oh sh*t! I actually moved the piece I wanted to move (my bishop) to see if my opponent would call me on it. He did. I immediately resigned, because I was going to lose a piece, and was so mad at myself for spacing out like that. Did my opponent get lucky? Perhaps.
Some people say “Let’s have a good game”. This seems a little long winded to me. And they probably don’t mean it, any more than they would mean “Good Luck”. They most likely would be happy to win the game with a fools mate, which would not be a good game, but would give them a full point.
Some people don’t actually say anything, and just stick out their hand, and maybe nod their head. This is acceptable to me. Some people just kind of mumble something. Some people (especially kids) give a really weak handshake. I am not sure how many people wouldn’t bother to shake my hand if I didn’t stick it out first.
I have had a couple people make lame attempts at jokes that are along the lines of “I actually hope you lose, but I will try to be funny about”. I rarely find these humorous. They normally come from the socially awkward wierdos that give chess a bad name in the first place.
Anyway – my recommendation – stick with “Good Luck” 
I don’t really like to say good luck either cause I don’t really mean it. I still use it but more often thhen not I too mumble “good game” the same thing I usually say at the end, but I think what I mean and want to say is “Here’s to a good game.” or “Lets play a good game.” but both are too long winded. I like playing someone new then you can get away with just introducing yourself sometimes. As for a weak handshake that drives me crazy unless they are crippled or 97 years old with the possibility of severe arthritis (even those with the thritis who were taught right will explain their weak handshake or ask you not to squeeze hard. acceptable). I don’t undersstand with the kids why their parents havn’t properly taught them how to shake hands and also introduce themselves. I was strongly encouraged from a young age to have a frim handshake and of course look them in the eye. Must be getting elderly and cranky. Scott
In my earlier rant I forgot to mention a player from the 80 who had a hook for his right hand. He was cool though he wouldn’t let you suffer through the toughts of ” oh wow man what am I going to do before this games starts?”. He was good enough to offer his left hand in gretting before the game with no hesitation so you didn’t have to fret.