Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People: The Memoirs of the Greatest Gambler Who Ever Lived

by Amarillo Slim Preston and Greg Dinkin

Book Overview

If there's anything I'll argue about, I'll either bet on it or shut up. And since it's not becoming for a cowboy to be arguing, I've made a few wagers in my day. But in my humble opinion, I'm no hustler. You see, neighbor, I never go looking for a sucker. I look for a champion and make a sucker out of him."

Amarillo Slim might be the greatest gambler who ever lived, but it's his down-home charm and folksy storytelling that have made him...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060542357
• ISBN13: 9780060542351
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

"Gambling,a hard way to make a living.."

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. It is very well written and without a doubt exceedingly well researched .Although I am not a gambler,I found it gave an excellent look at life in the world of high stakes gambling.As with any profession there are all sorts at the top.I like the comment by Oscar Wilde who said,"There are not good or bad people,only interesting or dull people."Amarillo Slim has to be one of the most interesting in the world of gambling which has always had some great characters.Slim is portrayed as a gentle giant but hard as steel. This book is full of surprises.For instance;supposedly Minnsota Fats couldn't read or write--that's not to say he wasn't a super communicator.The most important ability that comes out as a fundamental requirement for a successful gambler is not knowing the ability of your opponent but knowing your own ,keeping an edge and living with the odds,win or lose.This is true in all walks of life.Here we see that even Slim breaks the rule at times,as in the episode with the alligator and shows even he is human.If there was any idea he always had to contend with it was : "A guy like me ain't supposed to be scared of nobody.". The book is full of good Texas talk and wisdom;for example; "Straight pool was about as obsolete as washing clothes on a rock in the river." "You can bet whatever you can pay off." "Texas Dolly is hotter than a widow woman's love." "Stay close to your friends and even closer to your enemies." "Don't p--- on my shoes and tell me it's raining." "You can shear a sheep many a time,but you can skin it only once." And finally; "Don't argue,if there's anything worth arguing about,either bet on it or shut up." Hope you like it,I sure did!

Excellent read

I've had dinner with Amarillo Slim. In fact, I've known him for about 10 years. And yet, until I read this book, I had never heard more than a few of these classic Slim stories. And boy, there are stories. Beating Bobby Riggs in table tennis with a frying pan, beating Minnesota Fats in pool with a broom handle, fixing baseball games for big money, fleecing Willie Nelson at dominos...As a semi-professional gambler, I was intrigued to find out how old Slim got the best of so many of the greats... His philosophy, "Find a champion and make a sucker out of him," makes sense. Ego has separated more than one man from his pocket book. And good old Slim was there to pick up the money.If you want to know Slim, and you should because he's one of the most interesting people in the world, read this book. You will not be disappointed.

Best Book Ever, Man

Slim is a slice of Americana--a real piece of Texas and the last living cowboy. This memoir tells the fascinating tales of his fascinating life and has you laughing out loud after every page. Not only is this the best memoir I've ever read, but it's the best book on hustling and gambling, putting every other book on the market to shame. You'll not only be entertained with every one of Slim's tall tales, but you'll also learn about life and what it takes to make millions of dollars without ever having to hold down a steady job. A must read for anyone interested in a living legend and an American icon.

The All American Character

Amarillo Slim is the true all American Hero. His stories of traveling the world and gambling with virtually everyone will have you riveted to the pages. I highly recommend this book. If poker is your game, sports betting, pool or any other gambling type activity, Slim will thoroughly entertain you till the early hours of the morning.

Angela's Ashes for High Rollers

Among poker players, Slim is already a legend as one of the Founding Fathers of modern poker. His memoir, which I understand is being made into a movie (Nicholas Cage reportedly wants to play Slim), should broaden his audience. Slim's distinctive voice is in every sentence, and it's a voice that makes you want to listen forever. One of the startling things that comes through, though Slim doesn't push it at all, is the fact that this man has an amazing mathematical mind (I'd bet his IQ is well north of "Exceptional"). Coupled with an insight into people that would make Freud envious, Slim has all the right ingredients for a millionaire gambler who made his first million at nineteen--while serving a tour of duty in the Army. This book could be required reading for the business crowd who gobble up books by CEOs and politicians. Except you won't find palaver in here about corporate spirit, etc. Slim is a lone wolf who chose, in his words, "a hard way to make an easy living." Henry Miller said that for him, reading I.B. Singer was "like eating pie," pure pleasure that went down easy and made you want more. That's what reading this memoir was like for me. I have the attention span of a gnat, but once I started reading, I didn't want to do anything else. When the book was over I wished I could have opened Volume Two. The literati might treat this book with condescension, like it's a novelty item. If gripping narrative, life lessons, laugh-out-loud humor and sheer honesty don't add up to literature, I want to stay clear of the Critics' Picks. This is a memoir that conveys the entirety of the writer on every page, and it does it without a drop of pretension. If you dislike gambling, this book might not be for you, but if you like gambling, or are indifferent to it but enjoy books that deal with business strategy and tactics, I think you'll like this a lot. It made this New Yorker want to move to the Lone Star State, put on a ten gallon hat, and make regular trips to Vegas for some action.