Puzzled by Jeff Goldblum's character

I was confused by him as well- why did he expose the knife in his boot when it looked like Tyree and Jake were going to attack each other? I got the distinct impression he was going to aid Jake rather than Tyree (not sure of course).

"You're from the 60s! Peace love dope! Back, back to the 60s! No place for you in the future!"

I don't think he was in with the Sheriff (or even knew him), unless he was a "spy" for the sheriff. I don't think the latter was the case, because Dennehey's character doesn't know the gambler when he first comes to town. I think that the gambler was trying to showoff in a delusional way. He wanted the girl, and was jealous of her brother. He also was arrogant, and thought he could take the brother out, and live to brag about it.

Actually, Slick came to town to "run an honest game" but how many honest gamblers carry a knife in their boot and a gun up their sleeve? Never mind the name "slick"!

Slick was looking out for himself. He was probably hoping to side with the winner once the dust settled and believed that the sheriff would win since he had the whole town in his pocket and so sought to help as quietly as he could.

As one of the posters said, he was an opportunist, and doing things for him. He wanted to sit in the bar and gamble and aligning himself with the sheriff would assure that. He kept himself just on the edge of what was going on to gain allies from both sides, assuming that Paden and company would be eliminated.

His setting up Mal by visiting Rae was deeper than he would normally go, hence his demise.

Hes' a gambler. Like others say, we chooses which side to be on. Like cards the next could be red or black, odd or even. He will go where he can be worth more.

Guarding the sister was a way of playing it safe. He could have done nothing.

When the brother came in he knew he couldn't leave with him otherwise the others would shoot both otherwise why would he be with him (they would think he would shoot the brother - unless "captured").

http://us.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=4995990

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It's not explained too clearly. He is a hired employee of the Sheriff.

Bleu Cheese Salad Dressing is made on the Moon! My Uncle from Mars told me, so I know it's true!

Slick was, first and foremost, an opportunist. Like others have said, a gambler goes with the wind and bets on the most likely winner in any situation.

In this case, that was Cobb. After all, Cobb had become firmly entrenched in the town. He was the Sheriff, had made connections with McKendrick (the most powerful land/cattle baron in the area), had the freedom to hire whomever he chose -- including a murdering thug like Tyree -- and could make illegal moves without repercussion. Hell, even Stella knew Cobb was bad news, but her convictions kept her from doing all but the bare minimum to stay in Cobb's favor so she could run her business.

Slick had no such convictions. I agree with those who said Slick was sitting on the fence until very near the end. Until then, he really wasn't sure who was going to win. When he figured the winner was going to be Cobb, he made the choice that gamblers make: he went all in. Of course, that didn't mean he was going to try to fight Mal straight up. Get real.lol He tried to shank Mal, but Mal was ready for it.

So in the end, the gambler crapped out. I think the character was pretty good. Just another interesting flavor to one of the most flavorful casts in a western in decades.