Bet with Evel Knievel: Golf with hammers
Amarillo Slim was known for his ability to turn any situation into a betting opportunity. One of his most famous bets was challenging legendary stuntman Evel Knievel to a golf match, but with unconventional tools - instead of golf clubs, they used hammers. Slim, having experience with unconventional bets, managed to win in this unusual match.
A ping pong match with pans and bottles
Another of his legendary bets involved a table tennis match against professional tennis player Bobby Riggs. Slim claimed that he would beat the Wimbledon tennis winner on the condition that he would bring the tools with which to play. When D-Day came, Amarillo brought the two pans he had previously trained with for months and understandably defeated Riggs.
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Slim tried the bet a second time, this time against the world table tennis champion. His new opponent had heard about Riggs' debacle and had been training at home with the frying pans. Outsmarting Slim wasn't easy, however, and even now the experienced gambler had the upper hand. This time Amarillo brought the Coke bottles and once again notched a valuable victory.
Billiards with a broom against Minnesota Fats
Amarillo Slim was also known for his skill at pool. In one of his famous bets, he challenged the legendary Minnesota Fats to a game, with Slim playing with a broom instead of a pool cue. Despite this handicap, Slim was able to prevail, which only reinforced his reputation as a master of unusual bets.
Winning $300,000 in dominoes against Willie Nelson
Amarillo Slim was also known for his skill at dominoes. In one of his famous bets, he played against country singer Willie Nelson, with the bet reaching a whopping $300,000. Slim emerged victorious from this confrontation, once again demonstrating his gambling versatility.
Faster than a horse
Slim once claimed that he could outrun champion racehorse Seabiscuit on a 100-yard track. Again, he had only one condition - that he could choose the track. He chose a 50-yard track, which meant that both Seabiscuit and Slim had to turn around at the end of the track and run back. In the time it took the jockey to slow the horse and turn him around, Slim sprinted to victory.
Amarillo Slim proved with his bold and often bizarre bets that gambling is not just about luck, but also about strategy, psychology, and the ability to use unconventional situations to your advantage. His stories remain an inspiration to many gamblers and his legacy in gambling is indelible.
Source - Wikipedia, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Upswing