Amarillo Slim

Thomas Preston Jr., known far and wide in the world of poker as "Amarillo Slim," won the main event at the World Series of Poker in 1972. Not only is he one of the most popular players ever to grace the poker scene, he is known as a consumate gambling man who would be on anything. As of 2006, Preston has compiled four WSOP bracelets, including two in Omaha, and has won over $500,000 in tournament play. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.

Preston's victory on poker's biggest stage in 1972 propelled him to fame, not only within poker circles but also beyond it (unfortunately, there are no longer any existing records of his 1972 world championship). He soon made the rounds of various talk shows and was given a bit part in the Robert Altman movie "California Split." Overall, Preston has appeared on The Tonight Show 11 times as well as on Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Tomorrow Show, Panorama, Georgia Today, and A. M. Los Angeles. Preston became so famous during the seventies that most Americans would immediately think of his name and face every time they would hear about the game of poker.

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