BEN AFFLECK - AFFLECK TO COMPETE IN EURO POKER CHAMPIONSHIP

Hollywood actor BEN AFFLECK and British singer ROBBIE WILLIAMS are going head-to-head in a star-studded $1.3 million (GBP700,000) poker competition.

Celebrity poker players from around the world will descend on Monte Carlo next March (05) in a bid to scoop the big money jackpot in a competition which has been described as the European version of the WORLD POKER SERIES.

The DAREDEVIL actor and ANGELS hitmaker are first to sign for the big game, but THE BOURNE IDENTITY star MATT DAMON and MOULIN ROUGE! beauty NICOLE KIDMAN are also tipped to take part.

The stars will join other famous names from the world of sport, music and film and seasoned poker professionals and amateurs.

Heartthrob Affleck is a strong contender after scooping a $360,000 (GBP200,000) prize by winning the California State Poker Championship in June (04).

However organiser JOHN DUTHIE insists that British stars such as Williams will give the Hollywood pack a run for their money.

He says, "They're very good players. It's not just the American celebrities that can play."