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WSOP champions: Where are they now, Part 3

April 10, 2008

This is the third article in a 10-part series taking a look at the World Series of Poker champions from the very first to the most recent and at what they’ve done since in the world of poker.

Now that we’ve taken a look at the eight champions who have died since becoming poker’s World Champion, there are plenty of winners left who continue to make a mark on the poker world.

This week explores the earliest living winners who took down the Main Event in the 70s, including Amarillo Slim Preston, Doyle Brunson and Bobby Baldwin.

Amarillo Slim Preston (1972)

There have been many champions over the years and many “characters” in the game of poker, but Amarillo Slim was one of the first to get noticed by the mainstream public.

The self-proclaimed best gambler that ever lived won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 1972, taking out Puggy Pearson in heads-up play. The top prize was a now-paltry $80,000, but Slim managed to parlay his win into fame and popularity.

He turned his reputation as a golden-tongued gambler into lucrative sponsorship deals following his win. He also made appearances on national television shows such as 60 Minutes and Good Morning America.

It was rare in those days for someone involved in such a shady occupation as playing poker such as Amarillo Slim to be welcomed by the mainstream media. In that way, he played a big part in bringing the early years of the WSOP to the attention of the average public.

Some of the results of his fame included the introduction of his own “Superbowl of Poker” tournament that ran for years at a few locations in Nevada, plus the release of his book Play Poker to Win in 1973. He also made a cameo appearance in Robert Altman’s film, California Split.

After years of being a prominent figure in the game of poker, which includes winning four WSOP bracelets, Preston has been quieter on the poker scene in more recent years.

In 1992 he was inducted into the WSOP Hall of Fame, but he continued to cash in WSOP events and other tournaments around the world. In 2002 he nearly made the final table of two different Omaha events, hitting the rail in 16th and 17th places. It wasn’t until 2007 that he made his mark at the WSOP once again with a cash in the Seniors event.

He may not be the face of the game that he once was, but Amarillo Slim continues to play the game that made him famous. According to an interview at the 2007 WSOP, Preston has played in nearly all the Championship events of the WSOP since it began. Even if there were good odds given, it’s probably not safe to bet against Amarillo Slim not being at the 2008 WSOP either.

Doyle Brunson (1976, 1977)

WSOP champions: Where are they now, Part 3

Doyle Brunson

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