| Revision as of 05:17, 26 July 2005 editKlonimus (talk | contribs)3,972 edits Rv to Klonimus, to restore whitewashed material.← Previous edit | Revision as of 17:33, 31 August 2005 edit undo81.129.91.233 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| ] ]]] | ] ]]] | ||
| '''Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr.''' (born ], ] in ], ]) is a professional ] player and |
'''Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr.''' (born ], ] in ], ]) is a professional ] player and possibly the greatest propositional gambler of all time. | ||
| == Professional Poker Player == | == Professional Poker Player == | ||
| Before becoming a well known face and tournament poker player, Preston was a ] and toured the country looking for gambling action along with ] and ]. | Before becoming a well known face and tournament poker player, Preston was a ] and toured the country looking for gambling action along with ] and ]. During these times he became well known for his extreme gambling wagers which included riding a camel through a casino and beating Minnesota Fats at pool with a broom. | ||
| Preston won the ] ] main event. Following his victory he went on several talk shows, and even had a bit part in the movie ], making him moderately famous outside the poker world as well as in. He has appeared on '']'' over 10 times, '']'', '']'', ''The Tomorrow Show'', ''Panorama'', ''Georgia Today'', and ''A. M. Los Angeles''. | Preston won the ] ] main event. Following his victory he went on several talk shows, and even had a bit part in the movie ], making him moderately famous outside the poker world as well as in. He has appeared on '']'' over 10 times, '']'', '']'', ''The Tomorrow Show'', ''Panorama'', ''Georgia Today'', and ''A. M. Los Angeles''. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| == Recent events == | == Recent events == | ||
| On Labour Day Weekend 2002, Preston was almost killed on vacation in Idaho after a horse accident. | |||
| In ], Preston published his autobiography ''Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People'', where he reveals tales of playing poker with ], ], and ], amongst others. |
In ], Preston published his autobiography ''Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People'', where he reveals tales of playing poker with ], ], and ], amongst others. | ||
| In ] Preston was indicted on three charges of indecency with a 12-year-old child (his grand daughter). The charges were reduced to misdemeanor assault in a ] and on ], ] he pleaded guilty to them, receiving a $4,000 fine and two years deferred adjudication. | |||
| Preston is married, has three children, and currently resides in ], ]. | Preston is married, has three children, and currently resides in ], ]. | ||
Revision as of 17:33, 31 August 2005
Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr. (born December 31, 1928 in Johnson, Arkansas) is a professional poker player and possibly the greatest propositional gambler of all time.
Professional Poker Player
Before becoming a well known face and tournament poker player, Preston was a rounder and toured the country looking for gambling action along with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Moss. During these times he became well known for his extreme gambling wagers which included riding a camel through a casino and beating Minnesota Fats at pool with a broom.
Preston won the 1972 World Series of Poker main event. Following his victory he went on several talk shows, and even had a bit part in the movie California Split, making him moderately famous outside the poker world as well as in. He has appeared on The Tonight Show over 10 times, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Tomorrow Show, Panorama, Georgia Today, and A. M. Los Angeles.
As of 2004 Preston has a total of 4 WSOP bracelets, and has won over $500,000 in tournament play. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.
Tales of a legend
Preston was the best friend of casino owner Benny Binion. On Preston's publicity run after his 1972 win he convinced Tom Snyder, host of The Tomorrow Show that came on right after The Tonight Show, to allow Preston, Binion, and Joe Bernstein to have the entire show. Binion didn't care to be in the public spotlight, but Preston convinced him to do it. When Binion died in 1989, he left his horse to Preston.
Preston is often quoted as saying that if a woman ever won the WSOP, he'd slit his throat, but the true story is quite different. During some of the early WSOP events an unpopular woman player got an early chip lead and declared that she was going to be the winner in front of the media. When she asked Preston what he thought of it, he told her that if she won he would slit his throat. She ultimately did not win.
Preston has also helped establish gaming facilities around the world. While he was helping open the Casino de Caribe in Colombia he was kidnapped by people working for Pablo Escobar but was eventually released.
Recent events
On Labour Day Weekend 2002, Preston was almost killed on vacation in Idaho after a horse accident. In May 2003, Preston published his autobiography Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People, where he reveals tales of playing poker with Larry Flynt, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon, amongst others. Preston is married, has three children, and currently resides in Amarillo, Texas.