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. 

Sometimes you hear things that make you appreciative. A lady came up to me to get an autograph and told me her husband had died a couple of months ago. She said he was my biggest fan and had asked that a picture of him and me be placed by his coffin. We had made the picture at the 2008 WSOP. Of course, I couldn’t remember it but I was touched by the thought. The lady said, “You were with him even to the end.” Wow!

The Champions Tournament is over with Tom McEvoy winning it. Tom broke me in the 8th position with me missing a flush draw with an overcard on his two jacks. I was happy to see one of the older players win and there was only one young gun at the final table. Hoorah for the old guys!
This picture of all the winners will be poker history.

Speaking of old timers, I had a nice long visit with Amarillo Slim. I’m now completely sure that the charges of “child molestation” were false. In fact, nothing like that was ever in Slim’s indictment, only referring to inappropriate actions. Anyone who knows Slim knows he cannot be embarrassed about anything and almost always says things that would make a normal person (including me) blush. Slim and his family are intact again, more evidence it was a trumped up charge against a famous guy.

I thought it was hilarious that my cousin sent me an e-mail about colonoscopies, because I am going to have one after the WSOP. Everyone over 50 years old should have one every year and it’s been 7 years since I had one. This is the truth - the doctor who did it was named Dr. Goldenrod so help me. So here are some of the comments I’m going to tell my Dr. when he puts me in the stirrups letting people walk around and shredding all dignity. There were 12 sayings, I’ll put the next 6 in my next blog.

1. “Take it easy Doc, you’re boldly going where no man has gone before.”
2. “Find Amelia Earhart yet?”
3. “Can you hear me now?”
4. “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”
5. “You know, in Arkansas, we’re now legally married.”
6. “Any sign of the trapped miners?”

I really don’t mean to keep writing about Casper, but he got number 47 on his bite list. With Louise being gone, I hired a model who isn’t working right now to babysit him. She is my nephew Ken’s girlfriend and she has been around Casper and Casper loves her. But Casper is getting old and Sasha tried to move him while he was asleep. Bam, #47. Please beware of the Brunson dogs if you come to my house.

Jenny Woo, who writes for gambling911.com, picked me as the sexiest poker player for the second straight year. Obviously, she picks me because I’m the only one that won’t bring heat on her. It’s pretty obvious that Jenny and I haven’t been intimate because if she had seen my naked body, she would be even more embarrassed than me. Thanks anyways Jen, it’s good for my image. What is really funny is she had Patrik Antonius #2. I’m probably the most heterosexual person God ever put on earth, but Patrik is so handsome, when I look at him I go hmm-

-DB

Slim will play in Wsop event 49 on Saturday you can follow the action at http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/

Slim out of WSOP event 44 somewhere around 300 th place out of over 700 he was low stacked and his suited KQ ran into JJ  

Slim to play today in the  No-Limit Hold'em w/ReBuys (Event 44) you can follow the action at http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com