Poker is arguably the most popular card game in the world. There are many different versions of it, from 7 Card Stud to Irish Poker. But when it comes to adding a twist to your regular Poker game, you really can’t beat Strip Poker!
As the name already spells out in this version of Poker, you’ll be betting more than Poker chips. Strip Poker won’t be for everyone, but it can be great fun if you have a group of like-minded friends.
What is Strip Poker?
Strip Poker’s origins aren’t known, although some believe that the game was played in brothels around the mid-19th century. However, others believe the game was created as a form of Poker usually played by teenage boys around the 1930s.
Nowadays, Strip Poker is viewed as a fun adult party game. It can make an excellent game for a bachelor or bachelorette party and can even be a fun couples game. However, Strip Poker (like most versions of Poker) is best played with a group of around 4 – 6 people. Because Strip Poker is basically party Poker the rules are very flexible.
Any version of Poker can be used to play Strip Poker, although the simpler the version, the better. Strip Poker basically follows the same rules of the version of Poker you’re playing. But instead of betting with Poker chips, you will use articles of clothing.
In some versions of Strip Poker, specific articles of clothing will have greater value than others.
We’ll talk more about how you play Strip Poker below but first, let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need to play.
What You’ll Need To Play
To play Strip Poker, basically, all you will need is a deck of playing cards. Any kind of playing cards can be used. You could opt for these traditional Maverick playing cards or something a little more unusual like these American Era cards.
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Card/ Hand Values
To make playing Strip Poker easier, using the standard 5 Card Draw rules is recommended. You can also refer to our hand values list below to make things simpler. The values are listed from the highest to the lowest.
If anyone playing hasn’t played 5 Card Draw before, you may find it best to first play a regular game before playing with the added Strip Poker rules on top. You should also check out our 5 Card Draw guide to help.
| Hand Value | Description |
| Royal Flush | A 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. Must be of the same suit. |
| Straight Flush | Five cards in a numerical sequence. Must be of the same suit. |
| 4 of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank. |
| Full House | Three cards of the same rank and a matching pair of cards. |
| Flush | Five cards in the same suit. The cards don’t need to be a sequence. |
| Straight | Five cards in a numerical sequence. They don’t need to be the same suit. |
| 3 of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank. |
| Two Pair | Two separate matching pairs of cards. |
| One Pair | One pair of matching cards. |
| High Card | If you can’t make any other hand, then your value is decided by your highest-ranking card. The order is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2. |
Strip Poker Rules and Gameplay
The Aim of The Game
The aim of Strip Poker is to get to the end of the game with more clothes on than your opponents! Strip Poker is a relaxed and versatile game, so there are a number of ways you can play. The game can end when only one player is left clothed, or players can be eliminated each round.
Setting Up
Before dealing any cards, you should have a few rules in place. To make Strip Poker fair, everyone should have a similar amount of clothes they can bet. We recommend not including things like jewelry for this reason.
For example, try to follow this basic outline jumper, shirt, trousers, socks, shoes, and underwear. That gives each player six different articles of clothing to bet. Of course, these can be switched out for various other articles of clothing if they don’t match exactly.
A woman wearing a dress instead of a jumper and shirt could bet each shoe individually. That way, she would still have the same number of articles as other players. Once you have the pieces decided, you can begin to play.
Choose a dealer amongst yourselves and have them deal five cards to each player from a well-shuffled deck. Cards should be dealt one at a time. To make things simpler, the ante (or bet) for each round should be one article of clothing.
So, players should take one piece of clothing off for their opening bet before any cards are dealt. This is usually done with shoe/ shoes; however, you can allow players to bet any article they want.
Playing Strip Poker
The player to the left of the dealer will go first. Following regular 5 Card Draw rules, the player can decide to raise the bet by adding another article of clothing or check. If they check, it means they are still in the game but haven’t increased the bet.
Play then passes to the next player until the bet is raised. When the bet is raised, other players can’t check. At any point, a player can forfeit the game but must sacrifice any clothing they have bet to do so.
Once every player has had their turn, they can discard cards from their hand. Player’s must draw the same number of cards they discard, so they always have a hand of five cards. The next round then begins, but at any point, a player can call the bet.
If this is done, all players remaining must show their hands, and the player with the highest value hand wins. If two players have the same value hand, they can split the winnings between them.
Strip Poker Rule Variations
Strip Poker is a game with many different variations. There is no one real or proper way to play, but it’s best to make the game as simple as possible unless you are playing with experienced Poker players. In some variations of the game, clothing like underwear is more valuable.
So, other players will need to raise the bet to match it. House rules are also encouraged, just like you’d find in many Monopoly games. A common variation even combines the game with Truth or Dare.
Any player who loses can save themselves from removing their final piece of clothing if they succeed in a Truth or Dare request given to them by the hand’s winner. Generally, the only rule is that players can’t put back on any article of clothing once it’s been removed.
While traditionally, the game is played till losers end up naked, it can also simply be played to underwear-only. This is a good middle-ground if you have any player’s who don’t want to go all the way.
While the game isn’t really about winning or losing, you should still never underestimate the importance of strategy. Like other Poker games a careful strategy of betting can help ensure you stay clothed for longer!
Strip Poker – An Unforgettable Party Game
Strip Poker is famous, and for a good reason! While the game won’t be to everyone’s tastes, it is sure to be great fun at a party. Player’s will need to be a little more brave and bold to play, but it’s definitely worth playing if you’re up for it.
