LONDON – Up to 200 strip poker players competed on Saturday to see who will lose their shirts — and more — and who will scoop 10,000 pounds by retaining their clothes and modesty.

Organized by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, the inaugural World Strip Poker Championship takes place at the prestigious Cafe Royal in central London with players battling it out in games of “No Limit Texas Hold ’em.”

The bookmaker said it decided to hold the competition after its spoof April Fool earlier this year generated a lot of interest.

Players of both sexes from over 12 countries are battling it out for the “Gold Fig Leaf” trophy and the right to revel in the title of World Strip Poker Champion.

Aside from strict rules governing the poker play, there are clear guidelines on the stripping element — most importantly that each player starts the match by wearing five items of clothing supplied by the organizers.

Each contestant has been given a towel to sit on and to cover themselves when naked, but only after they have stripped completely.

“Inappropriate behavior,” will not be tolerated, said the organizers.