Welcome to the Anime Poker hub! I created this article so I could teach you how to play Anime Poker! ^_^' I'm basically combining two of my passions - Anime and Poker - and sharing with you a bit of my knowledge of both. After this end I'm hoping you as an anime lover understand a little more of the game of poker (that is, I'm hoping you learned how to play it!), making the learning experience more pleasing because of the anime background I will provide!

Now, don't act so shocked! You are probably asking yourself the question: "What the heck does Anime has to do with poker?"

Well, more than you think! Anime and Poker have been related in more ways that one, since the beginning of the uprising of anime in the international community. And that symbiosis has been evolving through time, as well.

Decades ago, when you though of Anime Poker, you could only associate it with sleezy anime strip poker card games....

Now, you can still associate anime to the strip poker games, of course! There are several offers on the market, aimed mainly at all the otakus out there, that prefer to be in front of a computer looking (or even doing some other things o_O) at foxy anime girls, instead of going out with their flesh-and-bone counterparts.

But you know what? You can do it whenever you like, Mr Otaku! Right now, you'll be better off learning how to play Anime Poker!

Well, Anime Poker is played just like regular poker, but it has a twist! You use anime colectible cards to play it!

There are so many sets of anime-themed cards decks out there, it's quite hard to take a pick. If you're a fanatic collector of anime goodies like me, you'll probably want to possess as many as you can!

Bleach Playing Cards, Full Metal Alchemy playing cards, Inuyasha decks, take your pick, each and every one of the games you play with your friends will be new and exciting (and another way to pass some anime love unto them!, eheh).

As for playing poker, per se, I've found a quite nice video that explains the basics of the most played and famous form of poker: Texas-Holdem. Note that this is the only un-anime thing I have in this hub. I'm still trying to find a nice anime video sequence where the basics of the poker game are explained. If you know where I can find one, please contact me on my profile and I will replace this one!

Anime Poker is a game easy to learn, but very hard to master. Anyway, now you know the basics! Just add some anime playing cards and you're ready to go!

Of course, you need some people to play as well! Best way to learn and have a lot of fun is in home games, where you invite a bunch of people over and organize a mini-tournament!

You also have the option to play poker online, as well. To start with I could recommend Pokerstars, where you can customize your own cute anime avatar to distract (and perhaps disgruntle) your opponents. You can also try Full Tilt - it has some nice animeish cartoons that can represent you as well.

You can play for free or with cash in these sites I mentioned. Take heed that adding an avatar is the only possible anime thing related you'll find there. The rest is hardcore poker play!

Still there?

If you want to play poker online (either Texas Hold'em or the Striptease Version) do it in anime style! Use anime themed mouse and keyboard! You'll find quite a few anime mouse products in the market, but keyboards are a little harder to find.

Even so, I have news for you! E-Junex released recently two sets of keyboards with anime artwork of famous illustrators Tony Taka and Carnelian! They are a bit expensive - 100$ each - but for a true otaku, everything is possible! ^_^'