John Barch
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| Nickname(s) | Tex |
|---|---|
| Hometown | McKinney, Texas |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | None |
| Money finishes | 2 |
| Highest ITM main event finish |
3rd, 2005 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | None |
| Money Finishes | 2 |
John Derick "Tex" Barch is a businessman and professional poker player from McKinney, Texas whose rise to fame came in the 2005 World Series of Poker. Barch made the final table at the Main Event, finishing third, behind Steve Dannenmann and eventual champion Joe Hachem.
Barch has been playing poker since 1993 and has cashed in ten other major tournaments besides the 2005 WSOP. His first in-the-money finish in a World Series event came on April 27, 2004 in the $1,500 pot limit hold'em event. Barch finished 16th, earning $4,000.
He is perhaps most famous for losing one of the biggest pots in tournament poker history. At the final table of the 2005 main event, at which Barch began play with over $9,000,000 in chips, Barch survived to the final three players. In his final hand before being eliminated, Barch moved all-in with an offsuit A-6, and was called by both Hachem, who held pocket jacks, and Dannenmann, holding pocket sevens. Hachem's hand held up, eliminating Barch and giving the Australian chip leader a $16,000,000 pot.
Thanks to the $2.5 million third prize in the tournament, Barch vaulted into 13th place all time in WSOP earnings.
Barch is also the owner of Big Johnson's Beer Garden Bar near his home in Texas. He has a business degree from the University of Montana, and is married with two children.
As of 2006, his total career live tournament winnings exceed $2,570,000.
