In October 2020 Gina Tuttle, of Joppa, received a life-changing diagnosis, learning she had stage three ovarian cancer. That set off a chain of events that changed her life. Within a few years she would quit the EMT job she loved and evolve into an award-winning poker professional.

She started working with the Baltimore County Fire Department in 2003 as an emergency medical technician. She was inspired to work as an EMT after witnessing a man get hit by a car in Towson, where she worked as an administrative assistant. She remembered feeling “helpless.”

“I realized at that time, I didn’t want to be a helpless person,” she said. “I wanted to be able to help people.”

Following her cancer diagnosis, Tuttle, now 46, underwent many surgeries and endured chemotherapy. And the treatment took a toll on her. She developed a heart condition, osteoporosis and a thyroid issue. As a result, her EMT duties were reduced and she began working in a light-duty position.

Her favorite part of being an EMT was going into unknown situations and quickly adjusting to help the person in need.

“We always used to say we’ve got to put the puzzle together and try to figure out what’s wrong to help them,” she said.

Last May Tuttle medically retired from the department, leaving behind a job she was dedicated to for 25 years.

From poker curious to poker pro

As a child, Tuttle watched her parents play poker and waited around the table with her sisters in an attempt to snag some of their parents’ winnings.

As she got older, Tuttle slowly started learning the game, enjoying it as a hobby. She began playing in house games then transitioned into playing at casinos and in small tournaments.

After winning a ladies tournaments last year, Tuttle gained enough confidence to start playing in larger tournaments with 100 or more players. She gained knowledge from her mistakes and continued pushing through.

“I started studying a lot and trying to figure out what I was doing wrong,” she said. “How I could change it, how I could be more aggressive and then make sure I was maximizing all the pots that I decided to play.”

In June, her hard work paid off. She won her first large tournament at Maryland LIVE Casino, beating out more than 400 other participants.

For Tuttle, winning tournaments isn’t the main goal. Her main goal is to enjoy every single poker game that she participants in.

“The ultimate goal for normal people would probably be just to win every single one that they play in,” she said. “The goal is to always win, but I try to soak it in and just enjoy poker.

“I guess people’s normal goals would probably be to win poker tournaments, go to Vegas, win poker tournaments there, become famous and make a name for yourself; I guess would be the dream for most people,” she said. “It’s not my dream.”

This summer, Tuttle’s husband, Drew, and her son, Jake, 14, nominated her for the PokerOrg and PokerStars collaborative giveaway to send one inspiring woman in poker to compete at the Women’s Summer Festival in London.

Gina was on a trip with friends in Florida when she learned about the nomination.

In the video, Drew and Jake outlined her poker achievements, recent retirement from the fire department and her cancer diagnosis.

“You’re not just selecting Gina to represent at the Poker Stars Women’s Summer Festival,” her husband and son said in the video. “You’re selecting a family and a community that stands behind her and supports her in this journey.”

Drew and Jake created the video to show Gina support and appreciation for everything she’s been through and provide her with a new experience.

“I just wanted to do it so she would be happy and try to give her an opportunity that most people don’t get,” Jake said.

Gina won the contest, earning herself a spot at the Women’s Summer Festival. But traveling to London was almost a dealbreaker, since she has a fear of flying.

“I almost turned it down because I did not want to get on the plane,” she said. “I didn’t think I could do it.”

She committed herself to completing the trip anyway.

“Nothing bad is going to happen to you,” Jake said he told his mother before she embarked on the seven-hour flight to London. “You can do this, just don’t let the fear get to you.”

At the tournament, Gina made it through to the third day of pla,y but didn’t reach the final table. She finished 21st overall, and said she was grateful for the opportunity.

“It was still an experience,” she said. “I didn’t just go over there and let everyone down.”

What’s next?

Every three months, Tuttle gets checked to make sure her cancer has not returned. So far, the news has been positive.

Although playing poker is Gina’s new-found passion, she doesn’t consider herself a professional.

“From where I was a year ago, I’ve gotten so much better,” she said. “I really hope to continue to do well. I don’t know where it’s going to lead me, but it’s definitely a door that’s been opened for that I didn’t foresee coming.”

Drew said he wants people to take inspiration from his wife’s story and know it’s never too late to pick up something else and start fresh. Playing poker for Gina is about more than the money, Drew said, it gives her another sense of purpose, similar to what she experienced working as an EMT.

“The biggest thing is for people to realize that you can change directions or find a different path, not to generate wealth, but just joy and happiness.”

For Gina, playing poker helps her build a stronger connection with herself, learn new techniques and trust herself more.

“I have a hard time believing [in myself],” Gina said. “People believe in me more than I believe in myself. I had to start believing in myself because we are more capable than what we give ourselves credit for. We are better than we actually think we are.”

Have a news tip? Contact Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.