The Paddy Power Strip Poker Tournament
Getting people to agree to play strip poker isn't something you'd think has a lot of appeal. It's usually done behind closed doors with close friends, or at least friends you want to get close to. But, thanks to a joke, gaming site Paddy Power turned it into something massive. In 2006, 195 strangers gathered for the Paddy Power World Strip Poker Championships, where one champion walked away with £10,000 and his clothes in one hand. This was the result of a joke about the tournament made by Paddy Power on April 1st of that year.
Despite the absurdity of the concept, many people were drawn to it. Obviously, because 195 of them showed up. The response was so overwhelming that they threw caution to the wind and held it for real, donating an additional £10,000 to charity to legitimize the whole thing. People had a good time, charities received funds, and the event set a Guinness World Record for the largest strip poker tournament ever.
- Website: flickr.com/photos/paddypower/1590098056
