Amarillo Slim Beaten and Robbed

Professional poker player Amarillo Slim, whose real name is Thomas Preston, was beaten and robbed when he was attempting to receive collateral from a $3,000 gambling debt that he was owed.

This took place in Amarillo Texas. Police lieutenant Jim McKenny said that the 80 year Amarillo Slim was lured to a field lot on Tuesday night, expecting to retrieve a four wheeler as collateral to the gambling money he was owed. He was then beaten which resulted in a broken jaw, hand and thumb.

“The four-wheeler didn’t come, but the bogeyman did,” Slim said.

Slim was taken to the hospital where he received medical care.

Apparently, Slim was carrying and robbed of $8,000 cash and a $85,000 7.5 carat diamond ring. Carrying this amount of money is not unusual for Slim and he has always been known for his silver bling. This is also not the first time he has been robbed or someone tried to rob him.

“I don’t know what he hit me with, but it sure hurts.” slim said, “They left me laying out there in that field. Certainly, they assumed I was dead.” When he regained consciousness, Slim proceeded to gingerly walk into the hotel and asked them to call the cops. When the police arrived, he provided them with a phone number and name of the person who he thinks assaulted him.

Slim was asked what he was doing carrying that much cash, he responded with “It’s just part of the profession. Because of what I do, we have to have money, we don’t use a check or an IOU.”

This was the fifth time he has been robbed in a year, according to Slim.

Back in October 2006, Slim was put at gun point on 1000 block of SW 32nd in Amarillo. A vehicle cut him off and a man ran to his car window pointed a gun and threatened to shoot unless he coughed up his money. Slim refused and drove away.

Amarillo Slim was born December 31st, 1928 in Johnson, Arkansas, and is most known for his World Series of Poker Main Event win in 1972 and has been a member of the Poker Hall of Fame since 1992. He has made a career being a professional poker player and prop bettor.