The Life and Times of Poker Icon Amarillo Slim

Only a few figures in modern poker can match the exploits and impact of Amarillo Slim. He had many talents: gambler, entertainer, Navy veteran, businessman, TV star, poker champion, and self-proclaimed greatest gambler ever.

With his signatory cowboy hat and boots, Slim navigated his way to the corridors of power. Amarillo Slim played poker with presidents and faced off against Pablo Escobar and Larry Flynt in high-stakes games.

Furthermore, his versatility landed him appearances on popular TV shows like The Tonight Show, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America. Slim’s prowess also extended to the movie arena. He appeared in Robert Altman’s 1974 film California Split.

Today’s casino news will unveil the captivating life of Amarillo Slim, a four-time WSOP bracelet winner and an inductee into multiple gambling halls, including the Poker Hall of Fame.

Amarillo Slim: Inside the Mind of a Poker Maverick

Amarillo Slim was officially born on December 31, 1928, in Johnson, Arkansas, under the name Thomas Austin Preston, Jr. When he was 9 months old, his family relocated to Turkey, Texas.

Blessed with exceptional memory—he knew the USA Constitution off-hand and could say the numbers and letters on a license plate he had seen long ago.

His parents divorced when he was 11. As a result, his mom relocated back to Arkansas, and his dad moved to Amarillo, Texas. This change got him to travel frequently between the two cities. He later moved to Amarillo to stay with his dad, where he often visited the snooker halls in the Mexican area of the town.

Later on, Slim began traveling across the country as part of a gambling crew. During this time, he honed his skills, learning the ins and outs of craps, blackjack, and poker games with rules similar to Deuces Wild and many others. Amarillo Slim became an all-rounder.

At the same time, he was so excellent in academics that he and other high-performing students at Amarillo High School were promised Navy scholarships and recruitment after graduation.

By the late 1950s, in his early 20s, Slim had established himself as a formidable casino games gambler with a growing reputation for his quick wit, charisma, and unmatched skill at the table. However, during World War II, Amarillo Slim put his gambling pursuits on hold to serve in the United States Navy.

Find Additional Resources On (Category) Here:

Poker Career Kick-Off 

Returning to civilian life, Amarillo Slim used connections from the black market to finance his gambling ventures. With his newfound wealth and reputation, Slim was soon in high demand at poker tables nationwide, forging the history of poker. In the 1960s, when he returned to Amarillo, he went into poker full-time.

During this time, Amarillo Slim developed close friendships with other rising poker stars, including Doyle Brunson and Sailor Roberts. Together, the trio traveled the country, participating in high-stakes games. They began laying the groundwork for Texas Hold’em, which became an essential game in Las Vegas and made way for other games like Casino Holdem.

Notable Tournament Wins

Amarillo Slim first appeared in live tournaments at the 3rd WSOP in 1972. Facing against the game’s top players in the $ 10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship, Slim outplayed his opponents to win his first WSOP bracelet. The win launched him to new heights of fame and recognition.

For Slim, the 1972 WSOP Main Event victory was more than a personal triumph. It was a watershed moment in his life. The win ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and global appeal for the game, with players learning how to play Texas Holdem.

In 1974, Amarillo Slim won his second bracelet at the 5th WSOP tournament. He then bagged his third and fourth WSOP bracelets in 1985 and 1990, respectively. He almost won the fifth in 2000, finishing second behind Phil Ivey.

Amarillo Slim’s Unforgettable Prop Bets and Gambling Stories

Beyond his prowess at the poker table, Amarillo Slim was equally renowned for his love of proposition bets. One of his most famous prop bets involved a challenge to hit a golf ball a mile. Slim took the challenge to a frozen lake and sent the ball soaring a full mile across the icy expanse, winning the bet.

Another legend tells he challenged tennis champion Bobby Riggs to a match despite having little experience in the sport. Undeterred, Slim played on the court and, against all odds, emerged victorious, leaving the stunned crowd in disbelief.

Final Year

After six decades of unforgettable stories, Amarillo Slim’s remarkable journey ended on April 29, 2012, at 83, due to colon cancer. But Slim was more than just a poker player; he was a legend whose extraordinary life and career significantly impacted poker.

This inspired many to join the tables or online poker games.

If you’re one such person, use our casino guides section to learn the Ins and Outs of your all-time favorite games.

Visit Slots Paradise Casino to play popular table games like Texas Hold ’em and Pai Gow Poker online, and follow us through our social media to stay in the loop with our exciting casino updates.