Matt Damon, Ed Norton to compete in poker tourney

Damon, of "Good Will Hunting" fame, and Norton, the defense lawyer in "The People vs. Larry Flynt, are expected to compete in the championship event of the 29th annual World Series of Poker, said Lynne Loomis, event spokeswoman.

To research their roles in the upcoming movie "Rounders," the two learned how to play poker in underground casinos, where most players had no idea who they were.

In the film, Damon plays a card shark who trades the poker world for law school and a shot at a new life. He's on his way until his old friend, played by Norton, gets out of jail and wants help paying off a loanshark.

Damon and Norton will compete in the no-limit Texas Hold'em final that annually determines poker's world champion.

"They are both serious poker players. They want to be treated just like everyone else during the poker tournament," Ms. Loomis said.

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