Professional Poker Player. Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr. was born on December 31st, 1928. After his parents' divorce, he lived with his father in Amarillo, Texas-the town he would consider 'home' for the rest of his life. In his early days of gambling, Preston traveled with Sailor Roberts and Doyle Brunson—the famous "Texas Road Gamblers". He won the 1972 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet plus the 1974 $1,000 No Limit Hold'em, 1985 $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha, and 1990 $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha events. Preston hosted the Annual Poker Classic, where top poker players were invited to play. This was renamed the Amarillo Slim's Superbowl of Poker tournament. He was one of the few players who were actually known outside of the poker rooms and was so good at promoting the game, he appeared on TV shows such as: A.M. Los Angeles, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show (Johnny Carson), 60 Minutes and I've Got a Secret.
Preston wrote Play Poker to Win and co-wrote Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992. After retiring from poker, Preston managed his cattle farm in Amarillo, Texas.
Professional Poker Player. Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr. was born on December 31st, 1928. After his parents' divorce, he lived with his father in Amarillo, Texas-the town he would consider 'home' for the rest of his life. In his early days of gambling, Preston traveled with Sailor Roberts and Doyle Brunson—the famous "Texas Road Gamblers". He won the 1972 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet plus the 1974 $1,000 No Limit Hold'em, 1985 $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha, and 1990 $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha events. Preston hosted the Annual Poker Classic, where top poker players were invited to play. This was renamed the Amarillo Slim's Superbowl of Poker tournament. He was one of the few players who were actually known outside of the poker rooms and was so good at promoting the game, he appeared on TV shows such as: A.M. Los Angeles, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show (Johnny Carson), 60 Minutes and I've Got a Secret.
Preston wrote Play Poker to Win and co-wrote Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992. After retiring from poker, Preston managed his cattle farm in Amarillo, Texas.
Bio by: Paul Smith
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Slim memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
