Amarillo Slim is a name that is synonymous with poker. Though he was born in 1928 in Johnson, Arkansas he moved to Amarillo, Texas during his poker career. Slim died at the age of 83 in April 2012. During his lifetime he won 4 WSOP bracelets, finished in the money 11 times, and was the highest finisher in 1972.
Amarillo Slim was a professional poker player in America for much of his life. He was well known for his proposition bets and poker skills though his wins were under that of long time friend Doyle Brunson, who had 10 bracelets. Slim did not go into the World of Poker or European Poker Tours like Brunson either. He was content to stay in America specifically Texas for his wins. He was the winner of the 1972 WSOP main event and was added to the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.
Slim was termed a rounder in his early career because he would move from game to game, often illegal games run by organised crime before he joined the tournament plays. It is during the illegal games that he met up with Sailor Roberts and Doyle Brunson. Following his win in 1972 Slim went on many talk shows like the Tonight Show. He even had a small part in California Split. He went on “I’ve Got a Secret” in which he revealed that he won $190,000 in one night playing poker.
In 1980 the second most prestigious tournament of poker was the Poker Classic which Slim hosted. It is now called the Super Bowl of Poker. Like other poker players of his era Slim wrote a couple of books on how to play. He also wrote about playing with Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson and Larry Flynt. In 2007, Slim left behind an electronic version of how to play Texas Hold’em.
Amarillo Slim’s personal life included a divorce and three children. His later life included a scandal with a 12 year old which Slim denied. He was also the victim of a robbery in 2006, 2007, and 2009.
Slim was a legend in being able to pick apart someone else’s tells. For example, if you were talking, sweating, or if you had a pulse beating he could tell what you were thinking. It was perhaps why he became a legend in poker because it was his stare and quiet behaviour that could unravel the best poker players. As a Texas cattleman he used his winnings to help run his farm in the early days. He also had a few Arabian stallions on his farm. His early life gambling allowed him the luxury that he lived with in Amarillo Texas.
He earned his nickname based on his place of residence and the fact that he was no bigger than a stick. Slim also had a head for mathematics which enabled him to win a match. In his early days he was known for playing pool and hustling at the pool tables.