Thomas Austin 'Amarillo Slim' Preston

Poker Legend Amarillo Slim Preston Amarillo Slim is arguably the world's most famous poker player and considered by many as the grandfather of Texas Hold'em. Everything about him, from his genuine cowboy look, Texan drawl and amusing yarns embodies the game that he helped bring to the main stream.

Before developing his considerable talents at the card table, Amarillo made huge sums of money playing pool. If the legends are to be believed, as a young man in the Navy, he once scooped five cars and over $100,000 in cash during one profitable trip up the West Coast.

Armed with a ruthless playing style and an uncanny ability to read an opponents reactions, Amarillo Slim won the World Series of Poker in 1972 and went on to publish "Maverick Poker". To promote his book he became a regular on the talk show circuit in the US where his appearances included 11 interviews on the Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The Tomorrow Show and a role in the movie California Split. To all intents and purposes he became poker's first global celebrity

His ability to market himself in a genuinely likeable manner contributed immeasurably to pokers acceptance in the modern world of gambling and brought flare to a game that previously was thought of as seedy and unsavoury.

Now in is 80's, he can still be found in his cowboy hat and boots playing poker tournaments to the highest level.

"People who sit down with me are expecting to lose and, goddamit, I don't want to disappoint them" - Amarillo Slim