BEN AFFLECK - AFFLECK'S POKER LUCK RUNS OUT

BEN AFFLECK has lost his crown as the celebrity poker champ after lucking out in the first round of a televised star-studded card challenge.

The movie hunk beat FRIENDS star DAVID SCHWIMMER, DON CHEADLE and actress EMILY PROCTER (corr) to secure a match-up with SEX + THE CITY actor WILLIE GARSON, but lost to him in a tense finale.

However Affleck didn't go home empty handed - he and all the losing card sharks on CELEBRITY POKER SHOWDOWN, which aired on Tuesday (02DEC03), were given $5,000 (GBP2,940) for their favourite charities.

Meanwhile Garson, who credits his gambling skills to his father who was a semi-professional blackjack player, was given $100,000 (GBP58,820). He'll also progress to the grand final, to be played and televised later this month (DEC03).