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 3 September.
Planning ahead
Gareth Johnson
