Jim Bechtel

James Gary "Jim" Bechtel (born 1952?) is an American cotton farmer and poker player, based in Gilbert, Arizona. He is best known for winning the 1993 Main Event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Bechtel began playing poker as a recreational player near his home in Arizona while working as a cotton farmer. He cashed for the first time in the World Series of Poker, coming close to winning a WSOP bracelet in 1979 when he finished runner-up to Perry Green in the $1,500 no limit Texas hold 'em event. He followed up this showing with several more final table appearances at the WSOP tournaments. Bechtel first cashed in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event in 1986, finishing in 11th place. He made the final table of the Main Event in...