April Fool's joke sparks strip poker championship
 

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DUBLIN (Reuters) - It started as an April Fool's joke
but an Irish bookmaker's proposal to hold the world's
biggest strip poker contest will become reality next
month.

Paddy Power floated the idea as a joke but it
generated so much interest -- and hundreds of requests
to take part -- that the Dublin-based company decided
to organize a contest.

So next month, 200 poker buffs will risk baring all in
an attempt to become the first World Strip Poker
Champion -- and earn a place in the Guinness Book of
Records.

The winner will also receive a "Golden Fig Leaf"
trophy plus 10,000 pounds ($18,630) in cash.

"This will be the most fun you can have with your
clothes on -- or off!" Paddy Power said in a statement
for the tournament, which will be held in London on
August 19.