One of the world's most famous poker players Daniel Negreanu is set to appear with Hugh Jackman in an upcoming film.

According to a Toronto radio station, Negreanu, the second all-time leading money winner on the World Poker Tour circuit, will play cards in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Negreanu was only second choice however after Phil Helmuth, who holds the record for most bracelets won at the World Series of Poker with 11, declined due to other commitments.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine explores Wolverine's early days, before joining the X-Men, and will come out in 2009.

The film stars Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Dominic Monaghan, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Daniel Henney, and Lynn Collins.

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US chat show host Montel Williams brought celebrities and poker fans together in a gala bash to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research.

A Pro-Celebrity Poker Challenge featuring poker pros and celebrities using "play money" chips helped raise proceeds that will go towards finding a cure for MS.

Poker notables Annie Duke, Russ Hamilton, Freddy Deeb, Barbara Enright, Scott Fischman, Jamie Gold, Susie Isaacs, Karina Jett, Chip Jett, Mary Jones, Victor Ramdin, Marsha Waggoner and Robert Williamson III were in attendance at the event in New York.

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Poker's world domination continues apace following the launch of Latin America's first major poker tour.

The Latin American Poker Tour kicks will begin in Rio on May 3 and

will be the largest poker tournament ever held in Brazil.

The tour continues in Costa Rica from May 22-24 and then moves on to Uruguay from August 7-9.

LAPT president Glenn Cademartori said, "Poker is exploding in Latin

America and the game is more than ready for its own major poker tour.

"It's one of the fastest-growing poker regions and there are thousands upon

thousands of players in countries like Brazil and Argentina who will love

the chance to take part in events of this kind.

"In every regard, the LAPT is going to put Latin America on the map as the newest hotspot to play international poker."

The LAPT is also set to attract top players from North America and Europe.

Eurosport