There are just a few players in the world of poker/gambling who qualify as true icons. Even the people who don’t play poker and don’t follow poker probably know the name Amarillo Slim. Chances are if you take part in gaming and play online games for VIP you at least know who this fellow is.
This lanky guy from Amarillo, Texas has a “real” name: Thomas Austin Preston Jr. He was born in 1928, not in Texas, but in Arkansas. He has made his home in Amarillo for most of his life. Those are the basics but there is a lot more to this story – a whole lot!
By today’s standards, Slim’s professional poker winnings aren’t that much to write home about. But when you consider the $600,000 figure in terms of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s you see his money accomplishments in a different light. He won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 1972 and is the owner of four WSOP bracelets, finishing in the money nine times.
Again, these numbers may not seem like much when compared to the bracelets and million-dollar incomes of today’s pros, but the world of poker was considerably different in Amarillo Slim’s heyday. He was a close friend and gambling associate of Doyle Brunson and Sailor Roberts. The trio traveled the United States in search of gambling activity.
Slim is probably the one player from the early years who is recognized as the face of poker. He appeared on many major television shows, enhancing his fame outside the poker world. This poker legend, now a member of the Poker Hall of Fame, not only took the Main Event title in 1972, he also took home $142,000 in the Pot Limit Omaha event in 1990, at the age of 62! If Slim was the online –gaming type he might have made his way to WINNER.com
He is the author of a few books, including the excellent read Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People.” The book is full of stories and tall tales about Slim’s experiences around the world. One of the favorites from this 2003 book tells of the time he backed his horse up to a craps table and told the manager he would show him why they really call it a craps table! He is also credited with betting another man he could hit a golf ball a mile then proceeded to do it by hitting the ball across a massive, frozen lake. Word is he made $10,000 on that wager.
Amarillo Slim has also written strategy books, including Play Poker to Win and All In: An E-Guide to No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em. Too bad he didn’t get to try his skills at Winner Casino.