Poker Great Amarillo Slim Beaten, Robbed

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) _ Police say Texas poker great Amarillo Slim was beaten and robbed while trying to take collateral on a $3,000 gambling debt he was owed.

Amarillo police Lt. Jim McKenny says the 80-year-old former world champion poker player, whose real name is Thomas Preston, was beaten after being lured to a field Tuesday night.

McKinney says Preston was expecting to retrieve a four-wheeler as collateral.

Preston went to the hospital with a broken jaw, hand and thumb.

McKinney says the poker player was robbed of $8,000 cash and a diamond ring worth $85,000.

Amarillo Slim won the 1972 World Series of Poker and has been a member of the Poker Hall of Fame since 1992.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.

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