Poker club comes up aces

SANDUSKY — Matt Lamb bet on himself, moving into a new spot and, in turn, going all-in with his poker business. And based on the full house of players competing there just about every night, he's made the right call for his future. "It's been great here," said Lamb, the owner and operator of Ship It Poker Club, which recently relocated to a storefront within Sandusky Plaza, 1172 Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), beside Health & Strength Gym. Compared to its prior site across town, this larger location offers a bigger space, better game selection, increased amenities and an overall enhanced experience for poker players, said Lamb, ecstatic about his company's growth after debuting it less than two years ago. Texas Hold 'em in Sandusky, Ohio Regardless of the room, Ship It continues to primarily host no-limit Texas Hold 'em poker in the cash game and tournament formats: • For cash games, people can buy in from anywhere between $100 and $300. This is when players exchange money for chips of an equal dollar amount. They can also leave at any point. For cash games, Ship It offers promotional and jackpot payouts if players make a certain hand. • For tournaments, people can buy in for as low as $40 and up to $140. This is when each player buys in for the same amount, and everyone gets a mirroring amount of chips. A winner is determined once someone wins all the chips. Designated as a legalized private membership club, Ship It allows the public to play, meaning people can walk in, sit down and get dealt into a hand. Players, however, must be 18. There is a small membership fee to play. People can view the local club's full schedule of games and more information by downloading the LetsPoker app. Raising the site's stakes Lamb, a 2017 St. Mary Central Catholic High School graduate, happily explained the main differences at his present-day spot within Sandusky Plaza. "It's spacious enough to where, unlike before, players aren't cramped," said Lamb, who also pointed out a better parking situation for his guests. Most notably, Lamb bought six tables — up from three at his old site, all feature fresh felt and new chairs — while still providing people with ample room between playing areas to get up and move around. Beyond tables, people converse at a snack area; around TVs broadcasting sports games and other poker action; and additional common spaces. "This gives us the opportunity to run bigger games and continue to grow over the next few years," Lamb said. "We are going to try different games, different buy-in amounts and different things to attract players, drive up the prize pools and ensure comfort for our players." Count Chandan Marcano, one of Lamb's poker dealers, as a massive fan of Ship It's transformation. "Poker, for me, is more about the environment than the actual play," Marcano said. "When you have more space, people tend to play better and respect one another more, and it makes it easier for me. I do love our group of players. It's very friendly and fun. It's like a family around here." It's the exact setup Lamb strived to create. "With my staff, I want them to be friendly and have fun with the players. And with the players, I want them to be happy and have fun while playing," Lamb said. Lamb noted how he places "a lot of emphasis on the social aspects" of poker. "While the play can be serious, we do encourage people to have fun so they feel welcomed and comfortable here," he said. "You'll hear more laughs around here than anything else." And to maintain a friendly atmosphere, Lamb didn't skimp on safety. "We promote a very safe environment here," Lamb said. "We have our own security measures and multiple layers of them." Lamb encourages players of all skill levels to visit Ship It. They'll surely find any game running and player lineup assembled enjoyable. "It's been so great in this new spot, and I'm ready to make this the best poker club around," Lamb said. What's in a name? Here's an explanation of the meaning behind Ship It Poker Club. • Ship It, part 1 — Ship it is a phrase commonly used in poker when someone wins a tournament and/or takes down a pot after going all-in. Going all-in is a term used when players risk all of their chips. • Ship It, part 2 — Lamb paid homage to his family's business, the Goodtime I docked at Jackson Street Pier in Sandusky. • Poker Club — It's for the actual purpose of this space.