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Poker Player John Grace Survives A Fatal Cardiac Arrest

The thrill of the game took on a whole new meaning when a poker player’s life hung in the balance at a JACK Casino cash game table. John Grace, a seasoned poker enthusiast, found himself in an unexpected battle, one that had nothing to do with the cards he was holding.

In some unfortunate turn of events, Grace went into sudden cardiac arrest while playing poker in February 2024. The odds seemed stacked against him, as the incident occurred far from any medical facility, leaving his survival chances disturbingly slim.

A Doctor At The Casino

As Grace’s condition took a critical turn, a fellow poker player, Dr. Benjamin Kramer, a resident physician at the Cleveland Clinic, was seated just two tables away. Kramer swiftly recognised the severity of the situation and initiated lifesaving CPR.

“By all technical terms, (Grace) was dead. When your heart stops, you’re dead,” Kramer recounted. Despite the grim condition, Kramer refused to stop, he did everything in his power to keep Grace’s heart beating.

Deadman’s Hand! Famous Poker Players who died at the Tables https://t.co/10eP6JuSwU #news #YRBMAG pic.twitter.com/1xoxja2YAw

— YRB (@YRBMAGAZINE) January 1, 2020

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Casino Security Manager Gets The Defibrillator

Survival in such circumstances heavily relies on the prompt administration of a defibrillator. Fortunately, a casino security manager trained in emergency response arrived moments later with an automated external defibrillator (AED) device.

With the portable device activated, Kramer and the security manager worked together and delivered six jolts to Grace’s heart every two minutes. For a harrowing fifteen minutes, Grace showed no signs of life, and his pulse was nowhere in sight. Kramer continued his relentless efforts until EMS arrived, and finally, Grace’s pulse flickered back to life.

A Heartwarming Reunion 

In a reunion filled with gratitude, Grace and Kramer came face to face for the first time since that fateful day. Grace expressed his profound gratitude, “Thank you for being there that day. I wake up every day wondering how I was so lucky.” Kramer, a poker player himself with over 40 years of experience, humbly accepted Grace’s appreciation.

Today, Grace is back in the game and managed to cash in the $300 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Seniors event at JACK Casino, while Kramer continues his journey in medicine. For more news and updates, keep reading Gutshot Magazine or follow us on our social media handles. We are present on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram.

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