Gina Tuttle’s poker journey began around the family table, watching her relatives play seven-card stud. Alongside her sisters, she would serve drinks and hope for a tip. The thrill of the game stuck with her, but it wasn’t until her twenties that she discovered no-limit hold ’em in a home game.
“They gave me two cards and I was like, ‘Where’s the rest of the cards?’” she joked.
Despite the initial confusion, she quickly immersed herself in the cash game world. Within a year, she tried her hand at small tournaments, and although her first event ended with pocket kings losing to Broadway, she bounced back—winning her very next event.
Rising Through the Ranks
Tuttle’s persistence led her to larger venues like Maryland Live, where she gained valuable experience in bigger fields. While early attempts didn’t yield deep runs, she kept grinding. Her determination paid off in June when she conquered a 400-player field to secure a final table victory worth $34,000.
“It was an overwhelming feeling,” Tuttle shared. “I just kept knocking because I knew eventually the door was going to open.”
For Tuttle, however, it’s not about the money. “I love competing and seeing what I can do. I’m not doing this for anything other than my personal enjoyment,” she emphasised.
A Ticket to London’s Women’s Summer Festival
The next chapter of her story took an unexpected turn. Nominated secretly by her husband, Drew and son Jake, Tuttle was selected by PokerOrg and PokerStars for a giveaway that awarded her a seat at the Women’s Summer Festival in London.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she recalled. “We were on the beach in Florida when I found out, and it was such a surreal moment.”
Although she had long struggled with a fear of flying, Tuttle knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
London Lights and a Dream Realised
Once she landed in London, the fear melted away. “Everybody has been so welcoming and so nice—all the anxiety went away and I just felt at ease,” she said.
On Thursday, Tuttle entered the £400 Women’s Summer Festival Main Event. After firing two bullets, she bagged chips for Day 2, set to continue her run on Saturday.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” she added. “I’m just a regular person, and now I’m in England playing poker. Who gets to do this? I’m so thankful.”
Also Read: Shannon Shorr Wins $352K in $25K High Roller Showdown
FAQs
Q1: Who is Gina Tuttle?
Gina Tuttle is an American poker player who rose from casual home games to winning a major event in Maryland and now competes internationally.
Q2: What is the Women’s Summer Festival in London?
The Women’s Summer Festival is a prestigious poker event hosted by PokerOrg and PokerStars, celebrating women in poker through tournaments and networking.
Q3: How much has Gina Tuttle won in poker so far?
Her most notable tournament win earned her $34,000, contributing to her growing career earnings.
Q4: What motivates Gina Tuttle to play poker?
While winnings are part of the game, Tuttle emphasises that her true motivation is her love for competition and the enjoyment of poker.
