“Amarillo Slim” Dies at 83

“Amarillo Slim” Dies at 83
Poker legend passes away It was a sad day for poker, this Sunday, Apr. 29, as one of the most famous poker players in the world, "Amarillo Slim" Thomas Preston Junior died after a long illness at the age of 83. The same generation of poker players as Doyle Brunson, Preston was active playing cash games in the States long before the game became this popular. He was famous for his love for Stetsons, cowboy boots, live tournaments, where he scored some serious wins, such as the World Series of Poker main event back in 1972. He also made it into Poker's Hall of Fame in 1992, and played at WSOP right up to 2008. Still, his impeccable records were smirched by an allegation of child assault which was subsequently denied, but in vain, as it caused him to never attain the popular success of contemporaries like Brunson. He died surrounded by his family, which said in a statement released after his death: "We hope everyone will remember our beloved Amarillo Slim for all the positive things he did for poker and to popularise his favourite game, Texas Hold'em."
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