There are many fascinating poker variants played at casinos and poker rooms all over the world. However, there is one highly popular poker variant that is completely absent at the traditional gaming venues. This great poker variant is strip poker. If any of our readers have just landed from the moon and have no idea what the game is about, we shall explain that strip poker is a combination of poker and stripping. That is, stripping one's clothes off!

There are no specific rules to strip poker. Any poker variant can be played in a strip version. However, the game is typically played as a variant of a simple poker game with few betting rounds, such as five card draw. A strip poker game often starts with all the participants wearing the same number of articles of clothing, with the actual rules of stripping being highly flexible. The only consistent aspect of strip poker is the removal of clothes either instead or in addition to the betting action any game of poker entails.

In 2006, prominent Irish bookmaker Paddy Power decided to make a rather peculiar April Fool's Day joke. The operators of the bookmaker announced that they planned to stage a lucrative strip poker competition. The incredible level of interest generated by this announcement convinced Paddy Power to actually go through with it. The World Strip Poker Championships took place on August 19, 2006 at Café Royal in London. The competition saw 196 participants and eventually entered Guinness' Book of World Records as the largest tournament of strip poker. The winner of the memorable event was British freelance writer by the name Jon Yong. The game played at the tournament was N/L Texas Hold 'em.

With the invention of the Internet, strip poker has become even popular than it ever was in land-based venues and players' homes. Today, there is a wide selection of online gaming destinations seeking to provide interested players with a virtual strip poker experience like no other. Strip poker websites typically boast exceptional graphics, sounds, distinct features and action. Much like with standard online poker , strip poker games held over the Internet are on offer 24/7. One thing to remember, however, is that you have to be of legal age in order to be able to take part in the games. Minors are not welcome at the online strip poker resources.

Strip poker games also enjoy relative prominence on television. The list of strip poker based TV programs includes the American 'Strip Poker' show produced in 2000, a German show called 'Strip!' produced in 1999 as well as the Finnish 'Rasypokka' produced in 2002. Other strip poker productions are available either through pay per view or on DVD. Examples of these productions include National Lampoon's Strip Poker (2005) along with Strip Poker Invitational (2005).

If you happen to be a strip poker enthusiast, more power to you!