Evening Standard (London): ON THE GRID GAMBLERS

OMAR SHARIF, 72

FORM Having learnt to play bridge while filming Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, Egyptian-born Sharif was once ranked as one of the best players in the world.

However, he now lives for free in a Paris hotel, courtesy of its owner, having had to sell most of his property because of gambling debts. He has written books on bridge and columns for the press

WINNING TACTIC

Claims that it is all down to luck: 'I've been on the verge of being broke, then money has come raining in from heaven'

BIGGEST WIN Any big wins have been dwarfed by his huge losses. Sharif blames his penniless existence on never finding the right woman BIGGEST LOSS Pounds 750,000 in a single evening. On another occasion, he and Peter O'Toole sold their passports in the gents' loos to defray their losses SAYS 'Things weave into a pattern. If I hadn't lost that Pounds 750,000, I wouldn't have made a particular film'

KERRY PACKER, 66

The 6ft 6in Australian media tycoon is known as the biggest 'whale' (a player with a credit line of at least Pounds 3 million) of all. Has even gambled with the Grim Reaper in 1990, he suffered a massive heart attack while playing poker and was clinically dead for ten minutes. Three days later he was placing a bet

Styled the 'hit-and-run' gambler because as soon as he wins, he walks away.

Bets high for short periods over several days

At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1995, Packer won Pounds 13.6 million from seven hands of blackjack.

He was asked not to return

When all flights out of Las Vegas were cancelled after 9/11, Packer lost Pounds 20 million playing baccarat while waiting for a plane

A Texan oil baron boasted that he was worth Pounds 40 million. Packer replied: 'I'll toss you for it'

BEN AFFLECK, 31

The Daredevil and Pearl Harbor actor's love of gambling is blamed for the collapse of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez, whom he was due to marry last year.

After the split, Affleck spent his first night as Lopez's ex- fiance out with friends, gambling until 5am at a Los Angeles casino Alcohol has played its part in his huge bets. He did a stint in rehab two years ago and is reported to have stayed off the booze since In 2001, he won Pounds 500,000 playing blackjack at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

During a trip to Atlantic City in 2002, he blew Pounds 35,000 at a blackjack table On the rumour he blew Pounds 300,000 in one night: 'I spent about Pounds 13,000'