Thomas Austin Preston Jr., or “Amarillo Slim” as we know him, began playing poker at the age of 25 in 1953. Before the big tournaments like the World Series of Poker made poker popular, Preston travelled the country looking for high-stakes games with Doyle Brunson and Sailor Roberts.

He won the 1972 WSOP main event and added three other bracelets over the years, with his last coming in 1990. He hosted the Second Annual Poker Classic which became the now-defunct Super Bowl of Poker.

He’s had numerous television appearances which include The Tonight Show 11 times, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, I’ve Got a Secret, The Tomorrow Show, Panorama, Georgia Today, and A. M. Los Angeles.

Slim’s autobiography entitled Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People was released in 2003 and chronicles his high-stakes games against the best and most famous players of the era.