Naked Men Talking: Strip Poker
Have you got a winning hand?
The challenge with playing strip poker with a group of gay guys who like to get naked is that everyone is very eager to lose - but it still makes for an awesome way to hang out for a couple of hours with a group of relaxed dudes.
This is always a popular event, hosted at my studio in Hoxton.
Everyone brings their own drinks and I provide the pizza and the card game.
The version of poker that we play is 5-card draw - it's a simple version of poker that everyone can pick up really quickly.
After a practice-round to ensure that everyone is clear on the rules, we get down to business.
This is not serious card playing. We play a couple of rounds, stop for a drink-refresh and change of seats, and then get back into the game.
To make it an even playing-field, everyone starts off wearing four items of clothing: shirt, trousers, socks, and underwear.
Each round, the person with the lowest scoring hand remove one item of clothing.
The most naked person is the designated dealer. The dealer - and any other naked players - have to stand.
Removing the chairs of the dealer - and anyone else who is naked - leans into a bit of a clothed-man-naked-man vibe and also encourages a bit of light objectification, which is all part of the fun.
Once the game is all wrapped up and a winner has been declared, then there's time for some relaxed social time where we can lean into the sexual energy that has built in the room.
It's a great way to connect with other men and have a laugh.
Getting naked with other dudes is community-building at its most powerful and primal.
Gareth Johnson
When is the next game of Strip Poker?
The next game of Strip Poker in London will be on Thursday 18 June.
Planning ahead
Gareth Johnson
