The invention discloses a preparation method of a thickener used for self-compact concrete. The method comprises the following steps: 1, weighing 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and acrylic acid in proportion, processing to prepare an aqueous solution, and adjusting the pH value to 6.5-7.0; 2, adding a prepared monomer acrylamide solution with the concentration of 25-35% while stirring, uniformly stirring, dumping the obtained mixed solution into a flask, carrying out constant temperature water bath, and introducing nitrogen for protection; and 3, adding an initiator in a dropwise manner when the reaction temperature rises to 30-40DEG C, carrying out heat insulation at 40DEG C, carrying out a stirring reaction for about 1.5-2h, stopping the introduction of nitrogen when reactants are a viscous liquid, and carrying out constant temperature slaking for a period of time to obtain a white transparent colloid which is the thickener. The thickener obtained in the invention is used for preparing the self-compact concrete, has a good water solubility and a good thickening effect, can effectively improve the plastic viscosity of the self-compact concrete, and solves the water segregation and separation problems of the self-compact concrete.