Playhouse
Strippoker

There are two distinct versions of this strip poker game, which is most likely (though I cannot tell with absolute certainty) the Netherlands: An 8-bit and a 16-bit version. Both were released in 1988.

8-bit: MSX

Playhouse Strippoker screenshot, MSX: title   Playhouse Strippoker screenshot, MSX: gameplay

The 8-bit version was released on only one platform, MSX (Spain and the Netherlands are the only two European countries where MSX was really popular). It has only one opponent, but the by far better graphics, obviously drawn by a real artist. This is one of the few strip poker games for the MSX1, the only other ones I know for certain are Samantha Fox Strip Poker and Anco's Strip Poker II+. At least from the graphics, Playhouse Strippoker is certainly the best of the three.

16-bit: MSX2, Amiga, Atari ST, DOS/CGA

The 16-bit version is far less remarkable. It was released for MSX2, Amiga, Atari ST, and DOS with CGA graphics. This version has two opponents to choose from, Judy and Kim, and in general resembles Artworx Strip Poker, though the models do change position in between rounds. The Amiga and Atari ST versions are nearly identical, on the MSX2, the colors are different:

Playhouse Strippoker screenshot, MSX2   Playhouse Strippoker screenshot, Atari ST

The Obscure DOS Version

The Atari ST version is quite common, since it was on the Automation disk 500E. The DOS version however is very rare. I didn't even know that one existed (and listed Playhouse Strippoker as not on the PC) until someone uploaded a few screenshots to MobyGames in March 2009. It took me some longer to actually find it, then I played it and took some screenshots.

It was rather strange, as you will see. Judy has a tendency to fold quickly, at some point I started raising $30 (the maximum) though I had only one pair. She raised as well, various sums, till the pot was at $3,400. Then she folded, took everything off, and the game was over.

After you win, you can continue or quit, but you can't get back to the selection screen without quitting first, maybe a remnant from the MSX with its single opponent. Kim has the same dropping tendency (I don't think there are seperate strategies for the girls, just seperate graphics), but meanwhile I was bored, so there are only two Kim screenshots.

I found it interesting that cyan was chosen for skin, not magenta. I don't know if it was a mistake or deliberate, but it was probably the better choice, since it makes little sense to go for realistic colors in CGA anyway.


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