Amarillo Slim's real name is Thomas Austin Preston Jr. He won the 1972 World Series of Poker and was inducted into poker's Hall of Fame in 1992. Amarillo Slim Preston was probably never the best player in any tournament, but he always was the center of attention with the media. Amarillo Slim was one of the legends of poker that emerged from the state of Texas, home of other legends like Johnny Moss and Doyle Brunson. The pictures here show Amarillo Slim Preston in the media spotlight during the mid 1970's and still in the media spotlight at the 2005 World Series of Poker.
Prior to the explosive growth of poker in the early 21st Century, Amarillo Slim Preston was once regarded as the most famous professional poker player in the world. Before poker became increasingly popular after the turn of the century, Amarillo Slim had already established himself as by far the most well known poker player. Widely considered the first poker celebrity, his incredible personality was displayed on many occasions on The Late Show, a late night talk show, and in many other television shows including Good Morning America, 60 Minutes and the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. Amarillo Slim acted in California Split with director Robert Altman alongside Hollywood legends George Segal and Elliot Gould.
Amarillo Slim is now over 70 years old yet can still be found playing at the World Series of Poker and in his specialty cash games No Limit Holdem, Pot Limit Holdem, and Pot Limit Omaha. Recently, he published his autobiography, titled Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People.
The stories about Amarillo Slim Preston are unforgettable and his proposition bets are legendary. He beat Minnesota Fats in a game of pocket billiards using a broomstick. Another hustler, Bobby Riggs, was hustled by Amarillo Slim when he lost to Slim in a game of ping pong-when Amarillo was using an iron skillet as his paddle! Evel Knievel and Willie Nelson lost wagers to Amarillo Slim, and many more people got hustled by him including Hustler publisher Larry Flynt for $2 million, but most forgave his transgressions, save the IRS. They understood that hustling was just part of who he was. He even did a little hustling to infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
"Poker is a game of people... It's not the hand I hold, it's the people that I play with." - Amarillo Slim
"Look around the table. If you don't see a sucker, get up, because you're the sucker."- Amarillo Slim
"Nobody is always a winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a liar or doesn't play poker." - Amarillo Slim
"They anticipate losing when they sit down and I try my darndest not to disappoint one of them." - Amarillo Slim
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