Rebbecca Scales
Tina Stafford From Portland, Maine has been part of the women’s poker scene for more than two decades. Known by her screen name Pkrqt, she brings grit, wisdom, and warmth to every table she sits at. A proud mother of two and “Grammy” to three grandchildren, Tina’s presence in poker has been steady, outspoken, and deeply rooted in community.
This June, Tina will be competing in the $2,500 Women In Poker High Roller at the Venetian as part of Women’s Week in Las Vegas. The event marks not just a high-stakes tournament, but a celebration of the women who continue to push the game forward. Tina’s seat at that table is well earned.
A Longtime Advocate for the WPA
Tina has been a dedicated advocate within the Women’s Poker Association (WPA), a global, all-volunteer organization committed to growing the presence of women in the game. With a mission to spotlight current female players and bring more women into the poker world, the WPA serves as both a platform and a movement.
The association runs four core programs: Advocates, Raise It Up, Player of the Year, and Final Table Celebrations. Each one is designed to give women more visibility, create opportunities, and offer support—whether they’re new to the game or seasoned players. Tina has been involved both locally and nationally, helping to create welcoming spaces and mentoring the next generation of women in poker.
Her dedication was clear from the very beginning. At the very first WPA Advocate meeting in 2019 at Green Valley Ranch, Tina showed up without hesitation—helping fold stacks of Purple Pride sweaters before the program had even launched. She didn’t ask for recognition then, and she doesn’t now. She simply shows up—fully and consistently—for women in poker.
Her Philosophy: Show Up. Play Big. Stay True.
Tina’s approach to poker was shaped by real-life conversations with the late Doyle Brunson, whose words still guide her game:
“When you’re in a hand—it’s gonna be you or me, and it sure the hell ain’t gonna be me.”
That mindset—aggressive when it matters, fearless in discomfort—is how she plays and how she encourages other women to take up space at the table.
She credits trailblazer Lupe Soto, founder of the WPA, as her greatest influence in the game. Tina often says she wouldn’t have played as long—or with as much purpose—without Lupe’s leadership and the paths she helped create for women in the industry.
Beyond the Felt
With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, Tina brings a seasoned, worldly perspective to the poker world. Her love for adventure, culture, and connection mirrors the qualities she values in poker: courage, strategy, and shared experience.
Tina Stafford isn’t just a player—she’s a mentor, an advocate, and a steady force in the evolution of women’s poker. As she prepares to take her seat at the Venetian’s High Roller table, she carries with her decades of insight, community leadership, and a fierce commitment to helping women claim their place in the game.
Enlist in the #RPGArmy
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About Women Poker News
Women Poker News isn’t just about who wins the hand—it’s about who gets to be seen. WPN was created to spotlight the real stories behind the felt: the grit, the growth, and the journey women take to own their place at the table.
It’s the media platform poker didn’t know it needed—until now. We don’t just track chip counts—we introduce characters, amplify voices, and show the full picture of what it means to be a woman in this game. From rising amateurs to seasoned crushers, WPN brings context, culture, and community back to poker coverage.
Because behind every final table… is a story worth telling.
