More women than ever might be playing poker but only a handful want to do it while naked, according to the Dublin-based organisers of the first World Strip Poker Championship, due to be held in London later this month.

A spokesman for Paddy Power bookmakers revealed yesterday that so far only 20 of the 500 applicants received have been from female players. "We really want equal numbers of men and women, 100 of each, but we've been disappointed by the lack of interest from females," said Ken Robertson.

The company will now target female soccer clubs and women's organisations in a bid to boost the numbers. "We will also spread the word around hospitals in the greater London area as two of our 20 female applicants were nurses," he said.

The rules of the contest state that each competitor will be given five items of clothing to wear, a bag in which to put their clothes as they remove the items, and a towel to sit on. The poker game will be "Texas Hold 'Em" and each time a player loses their chips they must remove an item of clothing.

There is no escaping full nudity. "Participants can only cover themselves with the towel after they have taken off all their clothes, otherwise they will forfeit any prize they have won," the rules state.

The event is due to take place on August 19th at London's Cafe Royal. The winner will be crowned the inaugural World Strip Poker champion, win a place in the Guinness book of records and receive the Golden Fig Leaf trophy.

They will also take home a cash prize of £10,000 (€14,640) and be eligible for the 2007 Irish Poker Open.

Women wishing to bluff in the buff can apply at www.paddypower.com/strippoker