Amarillo Slim Beaten and Robbed Trying To Collect Poker Debt

Eighty year old Thomas Preston, best known as poker legend Amarillo Slim, was beaten and robbed Tuesday night after trying to take collateral for a $3,000 gambling debt he was owed. Slim was expecting to get a four wheeler as payment for a debt that was owed but instead he was robbed and beaten.

According to Amarillo Police Lt. Jim McKenny, Slim went to a field this past Tuesday night to pick up a four wheeler that would be used as collateral on a $3,000 gambling debt Slim was owed. Instead Slim was beaten and suffered a broken jaw, hand and thumb.

Slim was robbed of $8,000 in cash and a diamond ring that was worth $85,000. McKenny said this was not an unusual amount of money for Slim to be carrying and that this is not the first time he has been robbed. McKenny stated: “I think it probably has to do with the clientele and people he tends to hang with in the gambling circles.”

The 1972 WSOP winner and Poker Hall of Fame member was taken to the hospital for his injuries and is recovering from the incident.