Name: Thomas Austin Preston, Jr.
DOB: December 31, 1928
Alias: Amarillo Slim
Hometown: Amarillo, Texas
Nationality: American
Total Winnings (as of Jan '07):
$590,000 (live tournament)
$590,000 (live tournament)
Notable accomplishments:
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.
WSOP Highlights:
Bracelet(s): 4
Money finishes: 9
Highest ITM main event finish: Winner, 1972
*ITM = in the money, To place high enough in a poker tournament to get prize money.
Bracelet(s): 4
Money finishes: 9
Highest ITM main event finish: Winner, 1972
*ITM = in the money, To place high enough in a poker tournament to get prize money.
WPT Highlights:
Titles: N/A
Final tables: N/A
Money finishes: N/A
Titles: N/A
Final tables: N/A
Money finishes: N/A
Amarillo Slim Biography
Preston started out his poker career with Doyle Brunson and Sailor Roberts as a rounder, traveling the US looking for Gambling action.In 1972 preston won the World Series of Poker $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship to earn a bracelet and $60,000 in prize money. After the win Preston went on to several talk shows which made his somewhat famous outside of the Pker world. Some of the talk shows he appeared on include, The Tonight Show (11 times), 60 Minutes, Good Morning America and I've got a secret amongst others.
In 1980 Preston hosted the second annual Poker Classic which would become the second most prestigious poker tournament during it's run. The Poker Classic eventually became the Super Bowl of Poker (SBOP) until it ended in 1990.
By 2007 Preston had four WSOP bracelets to his name and had been inducted into the Poker Hall of fame in 1992.
Miloš Forman is developing a film based on Preston's career. Nicolas Cage is rumoured to be up to play Preston.
World Series of Poker Bracelets
Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
---|---|---|
1972 | $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $60,000 |
1974 | $1,000 No Limit Hold'em | $11,100 |
1985 | $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha | $85,000 |
1990 | $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha | $142,000 |
Personal life
Preston is divorced, with three children, and resides in Amarillo, Texas.Trivia
Publications
1973, Play poker to win written with Bill G. Cox. Republished in 2005 as 'Amarillo Slim's play poker to win: million dollar strategies from the legendary world series of poker winner'2003, Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People "tales of playing poker with Larry Flynt, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon, among others."
2007, All In: An E-guide To No Limit Texas Hold'em, written with Brent Riley