Amarillo Slim

Von KidPoker, 24.05.2009, 5989 Aufrufe, 52 Kommentare | Kommentar hinzufügen

I never did get a chance to really get to know Slim too well, but he was always funny, and charismatic when I did play with him. I made a final table with him in Reno, either in 2002 or 2003 I don’t remember. Always seemed like a really great guy, a true showman, and was the exact kind of personality that could elevate poker to the next level. I mean, he was on Johnny Carson seven times back in the day, that’s a pretty big deal.

Then in Tunica I got word of a rumor. Slim was messing with his 12 year old granddaughter. I was totally disgusted, and rightfully so. I never would have guessed that Slim could be such a slime ball. I didn’t necessarily believe the rumor at first, but when some facts started coming in it just seemed like he was guilty. I had heard that his whole family had turned on him, and that he was going to plead guilty.

It seemed like an open and shut case. I didn’t have Slim’s number to call and ask him about it all, so it just seemed like it was all true. I saw Slim three times after that, and just totally ignored him. He looked over at me at the WSOP in 2003 and I just looked away. I’m sure he knew why I did that. I’m not sure if he’s bitter about it, but given the information I, and the rest of the poker world had, what exactly could he expect us to do? Give him the benefit of the doubt? This was a pretty serious offense. I saw no reason at all to think he didn’t do it. Not a word from him publicly, outside of him admitting to a lesser charge of assault and serving probation.

Well after reading his latest interview, it all seems to make some sense. He brings up some really good points in his own defense. The most compelling, to me anyway, is that the family has come to his side… even the "victim."

This whole thing is really sad in so many ways. Slim was instrumental in bringing poker to the mainstream as early as the 70’s and he is the kind of guy that is supposed to be benefiting most from the poker boom, but instead, he was coined a pedophile and totally ostracized from the poker community. It’s really sad, because he is quite a character. His story telling is legendary and he really had a great understanding of the media and how it was important for poker’s future.

I’m glad he finally broke his silence because I never really wanted to hate the man. I was totally disgusted with the man, and I’m not going to apologize for that because based on the information I had it was well warranted. In light of the new information, if accurate, it seems like Slim handled the situation admirably. The comment he made in the car is just stupid, but that doesn’t equate child molestation. That’s just an inappropriate comment to a 12 year old girl.

For Slim to ever be accepted by the poker community, and I’m not saying he needs to, his choice, he’ll have to keep explaining himself and tell his story. I wish he would have spoke up sooner, and I hope he keeps talking. He was born to talk and I hope he keeps it up…

If you haven’t read his interview, I think it’s worth the read.