World’s Greatest Gambler, Thomas ”Amarillo Slim” Preston, Dies At 83

Thomas Austin ”Amarillo Slim” Preston Jr., a man who called himself the world’s greatest gambler, has died at the age of 83.

Bunky Preston, Slim’s son, said that Slim past away over the weekend while in hospice care in Amarillo. Slim died of colon cancer.

Bunky said: “He was playing poker until the very, very end.”

Fox News reports that Preston won the 1972 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.

The Daily Mail reports that Preston got the nickname “Amarillo Slim” while playing billiards. He bestowed “The World’s Greatest Gambler” title upon himself after accomplishing several strange gambling feats. Preston claims to have beaten Minnesota Fats in a game of pocket billiards with a broomstick. He claims he beat Bobby Riggs in a game of ping pong with an iron skillet. And won a bet by beating a horse in a hundred yard race. (Preston set up 100-yard zig-zag course and beat the horse.)

Preston also authored a few books on gambling and advised players to “look around the table. If you don’t see a sucker, get up, because you’re the sucker.”