Editing Amarillo Slim

{{Short description|American poker player (1928–2012)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{infobox poker player
|name=Amarillo Slim Preston
|nickname=Amarillo Slim
|image=AmarilloSlim.jpg
|caption=Amarillo Slim at the [[1972 World Series of Poker|1972 WSOP]]
|hometown=Amarillo, Texas
|birth_name = Thomas Austin Preston Jr.
|birth_date  = December 31, 1928
|birth_place=[[Johnson, Arkansas]]
|death_date  = {{Death date and age|2012|4|29|1928|12|31|mf=yes}}
|death_place=[[Amarillo, Texas]]
|wsop bracelet count=4
|wsop money finishes=11
|wsop main event best finish rank=Winner
|wsop main event best finish year=1972
}}

'''Thomas Austin Preston Jr.''' (December 31, 1928 – April 29, 2012), known as '''Amarillo Slim''', was an American professional gambler known for his [[poker]] skills and [[proposition bet]]s. He won the [[1972 World Series of Poker]] (WSOP) Main Event and was inducted into the [[Poker Hall of Fame]] in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poker Hall of Fame |url=http://www.pokerpages.com/pokerinfo/hallofame/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125045458/http://www.pokerpages.com/pokerinfo/hallofame/ |archive-date=January 25, 2009 |website=PokerPages.com}}</ref>

==Poker career==
Before becoming a well-known tournament player, Preston was a [[Glossary of poker terms#rounder|rounder]], touring the United States looking for gambling action along with [[Doyle Brunson]] and [[Sailor Roberts]], effectively introducing [[Texas hold 'em]], the most popular poker type today, to Las Vegas in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moe |first=Al |date=May 4, 2005 |title=Legends of the Game - Brian "Sailor" Roberts |url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2005/05/poker-legends-brian-sailor-roberts.htm |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com}}</ref>

Preston participated in the first World Series of Poker in [[1970 World Series of Poker|1970]] along with [[Johnny Moss]], [[Sailor Roberts]], [[Doyle Brunson]], [[Puggy Pearson]], [[Crandell Addington]], and [[Carl Cannon (poker player)|Carl Cannon]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=World Series of Poker: A Retrospective: 1970 Summary |url=http://gaming.unlv.edu/WSOP/annual/1970.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813162800/https://gaming.library.unlv.edu/WSOP/annual/1970.html |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |access-date=November 29, 2018 |work=[[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]]}}</ref> Following his victory in the 1972 WSOP Main Event, he appeared on several talk shows, including  ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', and had a small part in the 1974 [[Robert Altman]] movie ''[[California Split]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|0696378|'Amarillo Slim' Preston}}</ref>  He appeared on the panel game show ''[[I've Got a Secret]]'', where his secret involved losing $190,000 in one night of poker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I've Got A Secret (1972) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URY9HedJ6tg |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

He also founded the tournament series called Amarillo Slim's Super Bowl of Poker, which ran annually between 1979 and 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amarillo Slim's Life: Biggest Profits, Losses, Private Life & Net Worth |url=http://somuchpoker.com/amarillo-slims-life-biggest-profits-losses-private-life-net-worth/ |website=Somuchpoker.com|date=September 30, 2020 }}</ref>

Preston won four [[WSOP bracelet]]s, including two in [[Omaha hold 'em|Omaha]]. Preston's final WSOP win was in [[1990 World Series of Poker|1990]]. In the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event at the [[2000 World Series of Poker|2000 WSOP]], he came in second to [[Phil Ivey]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=David |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Phil Ivey's Semi-Bluff |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/7/13/16077836/phil-ivey-world-series-of-poker-51cd56b8cccf |access-date=November 29, 2018 |website=The Ringer}}</ref>

In January/February 1980, Amarillo Slim hosted the Second Annual Poker Classic, which was the second-most prestigious poker tournament of its time. This series eventually came to be called the [[Super Bowl of Poker]] and continued until 1991. [[Gabe Kaplan]] became the first winner of this tournament series<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moe |first=Al |date=May 31, 2005 |title=Legends of Poker: Gabe Kaplan |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2005/05/poker-legends-gabe-kaplan-1825.htm |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref> and [[Stu Ungar]] won the title three times.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dalla |first1=Nolan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vzotce35pUoC&pg=PA178 |title=One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey ', The Kid', Ungar, The World's Greatest Poker Player |last2=Alson |first2=Peter |date=July 15, 2005 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=9781416510185 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

The video game ''[[Amarillo Slim Dealer's Choice]]'' was published by [[Villa Crespo Software]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web | title=Amarillo Slim Dealer's Choice (1991) | website=MobyGames | date=2003-04-03 | url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/8782/amarillo-slim-dealers-choice/ | access-date=2025-03-26}}</ref>

Preston's lifetime tournament earnings totaled more than $587,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amarillo Slim Preston's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=8 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}</ref>

=== World Series of Poker bracelets ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Tournament
!Prize (US$)
|-
|[[1972 World Series of Poker|1972]]
|$10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
|align=right|$60,000
|-
|[[1974 World Series of Poker|1974]]
|$1,000 No Limit Hold'em 
|align=right|$11,100
|-
|[[1985 World Series of Poker|1985]]
|$5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
|align=right|$85,000
|-
|[[1990 World Series of Poker|1990]]
|$5,000 Pot Limit Omaha 
|align=right|$142,000
|}

===Author===
In 1973, Preston and Bill G. Cox wrote ''Play Poker to Win'', which was published by [[Grosset & Dunlap|Grosset and Dunlap]]. A revised edition of the book was published by [[HarperCollins]] in 2005 entitled ''Amarillo Slim's Play Poker to Win''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amarillo Slim's Play Poker to Win - Amarillo Slim Preston - Paperback |url=https://www.harpercollins.ca/9780060817558/amarillo-slims-play-poker-to-win |access-date=November 29, 2018 |website=HarperCollins Canada |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2003, Preston published his autobiography ''Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People'', where he wrote of playing poker with [[Larry Flynt]], [[Lyndon Johnson]], and [[Richard Nixon]] among others. In addition to his poker exploits, Preston wrote about his exploits in [[proposition bet]]ting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Preston |first1=Amarillo Slim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyjCz8lRDvcC |title=Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People: The Memoirs of the Greatest Gambler Who Ever Lived |last2=Dinkin |first2=Greg |date=April 26, 2005 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=9780060762308 |pages=208 |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2007, Preston created a website and released an E-book called ''All In: An E-guide To No Limit Texas Hold'em''. The book was written by Preston along with Joe Brent Riley.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All In: An E-Guide to No Limit Texas Hold'Em by Amarillo Slim Preston |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-in-amarillo-slim-preston/1113662875?type=eBook |access-date=November 29, 2018 |website=Barnes & Noble |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Thomas Austin Preston Jr. was born on December 31, 1928, in [[Johnson, Arkansas]]. When he was an infant his parents moved to [[Turkey, Texas]]. After they divorced, his mother returned to Johnson, while his father moved to Amarillo. Slim is quoted as saying: "It's a good thing he did, because Amarillo Slim sounds a heck of a lot better than Turkey Tom or Arkansas Austin."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Michael |date=May 4, 2012 |title=Amarillo Slim obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/may/04/amarillo-slim |website=The Guardian}}</ref> Preston was divorced, had three children, and lived in [[Amarillo, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stutz |first=Howard |date=April 29, 2012 |title=Poker icon 'Amarillo Slim' Preston dies at age 83 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/poker-icon-amarillo-slim-preston-83-dies/ |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |publisher=lvrj.com}}</ref>

Beyond being known as a great poker player, Preston was also known for playing pool, dominoes, and proposition betting. Notably, Slim had beaten [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Larry King]] at dominoes.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Attlesey |first=Sam |date=April 13, 1980 |title=Of Outlaws, con men, whores and Larry King |url= |access-date= |work=Dallas Morning News |pages=188}}</ref>

In August 2003, Preston was indicted in Randall County, Texas, on charges of indecency with a 12-year-old grandchild.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 2012 |title=Amarillo Slim |url=http://www.economist.com/node/21554486 |access-date=August 30, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Economist]]}}</ref> The charges were reduced to misdemeanor assault in a [[plea bargain]], and on February 10, 2004, Preston pleaded "no contest" to the reduced charges "to protect his family". Preston received a $4,000 fine, two years probation, and was "ordered to undergo counseling". In a 2009 interview, he stated that he was innocent of any wrongdoing, but chose to take the plea bargain in order to spare his family from a court trial.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=John L. |date=August 12, 2003 |title=Indictment might silence bluster of famed hustler 'Amarillo Slim' |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Aug-12-Tue-2003/news/21921214.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031210135957/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Aug-12-Tue-2003/news/21921214.html |archive-date=December 10, 2003 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}</ref><ref name="pokerlistings.com">{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2009 |title=A Legend Lost: Amarillo Slim Breaks his Silence |url=https://www.pokerlistings.com/a-legend-lost-amarillo-slim-breaks-his-silence-pt-1-38457 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=PokerListings |language=en}}</ref>

Early on the morning of October 4, 2006, Preston was the victim of an attempted armed robbery. The armed robber fired three bullets into Preston's car as he sped away. Preston was not injured.<ref>[http://www.amarillo.com/stories/100506/new_5737696.shtml Don't mess with Slim] from the ''[[Amarillo Globe-News]]'' website</ref>

On January 28, 2007, Preston was robbed at gunpoint while in his  home.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Phillip |date=January 30, 2007 |title=Slim robbed |url=http://www.amarillo.com/stories/013007/new_6682210.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003149/http://www.amarillo.com/stories/013007/new_6682210.shtml |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |website=Amarillo.com}}</ref>

On January 22, 2009, Preston was beaten and robbed near the intersection of Interstate 40 and Soncy Road while attempting to collect a gambling debt.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stecklein |first=Janelle |date=January 22, 2009 |title=Amarillo Slim beaten, robbed |url=http://www.amarillo.com/stories/012209/new_12362001.shtml |access-date=January 22, 2009 |website=Amarillo Globe-News}}</ref>

Preston's autobiography was the topic of a [[Biographical film|biopic]] movie reported to be under development. [[Nicolas Cage]] reportedly was to play Preston's character.<ref name="j078">{{cite web | title=Short reels | website=GoUpstate | date=2005-01-28 | url=https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/2005/01/28/short-reels/29746011007/ | access-date=2024-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Amarillo Slim - Poker Player Profile |url=http://www.homepokergames.com/slim.php |website=www.homepokergames.com}}</ref> According to a 2009 article at Poker Listings, the "planned Hollywood movie about Slim's life" has been "dropped".<ref name="pokerlistings.com" />

Preston died on April 29, 2012, of [[colon cancer]] at the age of 83.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Earl |date=April 29, 2012 |title=Poker Legend "Amarillo Slim" Preston Passes Away |url=https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/poker-legend-amarillo-slim-preston-passes-away-21640/ |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=Poker News Daily |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=April 30, 2012 |title=Amarillo Slim, Five-Time Poker World Series Winner, Dies at 83 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/sports/amarillo-slim-five-time-poker-world-series-winner-dies-at-83.html |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/amarillo-slim-poker-player-in-the-vanguard-of-the-games-surge-in-popularity-since-the-1970s-7697628.html Obituary] in ''[[The Independent]]'' by [[Marcus Williamson]] 
*[http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=8 Hendon Mob profile]
*[https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=74 WSOP profile]

{{WSOP Main Event champions}}
{{1970s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{1980s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{1990s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{Poker Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amarillo Slim}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:American poker players]]
[[Category:American gambling writers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:People from Washington County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:People from Amarillo, Texas]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker Main Event winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]]
[[Category:American memoirists]]
[[Category:Poker Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Deaths from colorectal cancer]]