Thomas Austin Preston, Jr., also known as Amarillo Slim was born on December 31, 1928 in Johnson, Arkansas. When his parents split up he went to live with his father in Amarillo, Texas and that's how he got his nickname. After completing high school he joined the U.S. Armed Forces for 2 years. It was here that he met fellow poker legend Doyle Brunson. They became fast friends and after they were discharged they started traveling the country to play poker for a brief time. During his late 20's and all through his 30's he continued to play poker and also got married.

Amarillo and Benny Binion, the owner of the Las Vegas casino that was the official birthplace of the World Series of Poker were best friends in the 60's and 70's. Amarillo won the main event in 1972, although there were only 5 other players in this $10,000 buy-in tournament. He continued to play each year and in 74" he won another bracelet for the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em event. Over the next 10 years Amarillo didn't win any WSOP tournaments but still continued to regularly play at the high stakes cash games at various casinos.

In 1985 Amarillo won the $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha event for a 1st place prize of $85,000. Five years later he took down the same event for $142,000. This was Amarillo's fourth and last WSOP bracelet win. He also published his autobiography "Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People". The book reveals some inside stories about what its like to play high stakes poker against the likes of Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson.

Amarillo had some bad luck in 2006 and 2007. He shot at in one foiled robbery attempt and in another was robbed at gun point in his own home of all places. He also launched a website in 07" and wrote a very successful e-book.

What's He Like?

Amarillo Slim always wears a cowboy hat and has a southern accent. He is a gambler in heart and has been known to make huge prop bets.

What's he doing now?

Amarillo currently lives in Amarillo, Texas. He is divorced with three children. He recently launched his own website and still competes in some of the major tournaments. We are not for sure how much online poker he plays but if he were younger he would be another Phil Ivey playing online poker at Full Tilt Poker or Poker Stars in the major tournaments and largest online cash games.

Major Wins (WSOP)