The first man you think of when you hear the words “the rise of poker” is Amarillo Slim (his real name - Thomas Austin Preston Jr). His face is known even among those who know nothing about poker. Amarillo is a symbol of poker, like the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America.
Thomas Austin Preston Jr was born in Johnson, Arkansas. But the family moved to Amarillo, Texas, when Slim was very young. That’s why Slim considers himself a true Texan. He looks like a cowboy though he’s not one. His hat is just a part of his style.
Amarillo was on of the three Road Buddies (the two others were Sailor Roberts and
Doyle Brunson): “Dolly, Sailor Roberts and myself had started on the road together as youngsters. For over seven years, we played out of the same bankroll – sharing our wins and losses. I doubt if there ever will be three Poker partners with the kind of playing talent we had… Any on of us could pinch-hit for the other when he was tired or just not feelin’ right. We had been one hell of a team”.
Amarillo was the first in this fellowship to win at the WSOP. It happened in 1972. In 1975 Sailor Roberts followed his example. In 1976 and 1977 – Doyle Brunson. Amarillo says: “We’ll always be proud of the fact that each of us became the World Poker Champ.” In 1972 Amarillo took $80,000 but this sum is nothing when compared to $300,000 he got from Willie Nelson playing dominoes and it is absolute nothing compared to $2,000,000 he won playin Larry Flint in poker. He has played poker with presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, and drug lords Pablo Escobar and Jimmy Chagra.
Amarillo Slim is not only a player but a topnotch storyteller. And this is the reason to read his “Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People”.
Now Amarillo is a 76 years old player. And he is still battling at the final table. I think he’s going to play until the day he dies. And maybe he’ll become a champion once again… who knows?
