diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/actions.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/actions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19e44a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/actions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+/**
+ * Player action application for No-Limit Hold'em betting rounds.
+ * Pure: validates legality, produces the next state, and auto-advances the
+ * hand whenever the action completes a betting round or ends it.
+ */
+
+import {
+  commitChips,
+  getLegalActions,
+  isRoundComplete,
+  livePlayers,
+  nextToAct,
+} from "./betting";
+import { advanceState, awardFoldOut } from "./engine";
+import type {
+  PokerActionKind,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerTableState,
+} from "./types";
+
+export type PokerActionResult =
+  | { readonly success: true; readonly state: PokerTableState }
+  | { readonly success: false; readonly error: string };
+
+function failure(error: string): PokerActionResult {
+  return { success: false, error };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Apply a betting action for `seatId`. Bet and raise amounts are the player's
+ * TOTAL commitment for the current street ("raise to X"); a bet/raise equal
+ * to the player's max is an all-in. Calling always calls the maximum the
+ * stack allows. On success the state is auto-advanced (next street, showdown,
+ * or next hand) whenever the action completes a round or ends the hand.
+ */
+export function applyAction(
+  state: PokerTableState,
+  seatId: PokerSeatId,
+  action: PokerActionKind,
+  amount?: number,
+): PokerActionResult {
+  if (state.phase !== "betting") {
+    return failure("The hand is not accepting actions right now.");
+  }
+  if (state.toActSeat !== seatId) {
+    return failure("It is not that seat's turn to act.");
+  }
+  const player = state.players[seatId];
+  if (!player) return failure("No player occupies that seat.");
+  if (player.folded) return failure("That player has already folded.");
+  if (player.allIn) return failure("That player is all-in and cannot act.");
+  if (player.eliminated) return failure("That player is eliminated.");
+
+  let updated = player;
+  let currentBet = state.currentBet;
+  let minRaise = state.minRaise;
+  let lastFullRaiseBet = state.lastFullRaiseBet;
+
+  switch (action) {
+    case "fold":
+      updated = { ...player, folded: true, hasActed: true };
+      break;
+    case "check":
+      if (state.currentBet !== player.committed) {
+        return failure("Cannot check: there is a bet to call.");
+      }
+      updated = { ...player, hasActed: true };
+      break;
+    case "call": {
+      if (state.currentBet <= player.committed) {
+        return failure("Cannot call: there is no bet to call.");
+      }
+      updated = commitChips(player, Math.min(state.currentBet - player.committed, player.stack));
+      break;
+    }
+    case "bet":
+    case "raise": {
+      const legal = getLegalActions(state, seatId);
+      if (action === "bet" && !legal.canBet) {
+        return failure("Cannot bet: there is already a bet this street; raise instead.");
+      }
+      if (action === "raise" && !legal.canRaise) {
+        return failure("Raising is not available right now.");
+      }
+      if (amount === undefined) {
+        return failure(`A ${action} requires an amount (total commitment for this street).`);
+      }
+      if (!Number.isInteger(amount) || amount <= player.committed) {
+        return failure("The amount must be an integer above your current commitment.");
+      }
+      if (amount > legal.maxBetTo) {
+        return failure("The amount exceeds your stack.");
+      }
+      if (action === "raise" && amount <= state.currentBet) {
+        return failure("A raise must exceed the current bet.");
+      }
+      const isAllIn = amount === legal.maxBetTo;
+      if (action === "bet") {
+        if (!isAllIn && amount < legal.minBetTo) {
+          return failure(`The minimum bet is ${legal.minBetTo}.`);
+        }
+        // Any opening bet sets the raise increment for the street.
+        minRaise = Math.max(amount - player.committed, state.minRaise);
+        lastFullRaiseBet = amount;
+      } else {
+        const increment = amount - state.currentBet;
+        if (!isAllIn && increment < state.minRaise) {
+          return failure(`The minimum raise is to ${legal.minRaiseTo}.`);
+        }
+        if (increment >= state.minRaise) {
+          // Full raise (including an all-in that happens to be full-sized):
+          // resets the minimum raise and reopens the betting.
+          minRaise = increment;
+          lastFullRaiseBet = amount;
+        }
+        // A short all-in raise leaves minRaise and lastFullRaiseBet alone so
+        // players who already acted cannot re-raise.
+      }
+      currentBet = amount;
+      updated = commitChips(player, amount - player.committed);
+      break;
+    }
+    default: {
+      const exhaustive: never = action;
+      return failure(`Unknown action: ${String(exhaustive)}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const players = state.players.map((p, index) => (index === seatId ? updated : p));
+  let next: PokerTableState = {
+    ...state,
+    players,
+    currentBet,
+    minRaise,
+    lastFullRaiseBet,
+  };
+
+  if (livePlayers(next).length === 1) {
+    return { success: true, state: awardFoldOut(next) };
+  }
+  if (isRoundComplete(next)) {
+    return { success: true, state: advanceState(next) };
+  }
+  next = { ...next, toActSeat: nextToAct(next, seatId) };
+  return { success: true, state: next };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/betting.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/betting.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be76142
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/betting.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+/**
+ * Betting legality for No-Limit Hold'em: whose turn it is, what actions are
+ * available, min-raise rules, and the short-all-in "does not reopen betting"
+ * rule. Pure functions over the table state.
+ */
+
+import { BIG_BLIND } from "./constants";
+import type {
+  PokerLegalActions,
+  PokerPlayerState,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerTableState,
+} from "./types";
+
+/** A player who can still take actions in the current betting round. */
+export function canAct(player: PokerPlayerState): boolean {
+  return !player.eliminated && !player.folded && !player.allIn;
+}
+
+/** Players still eligible to win chips in the current hand. */
+export function livePlayers(state: PokerTableState): PokerPlayerState[] {
+  return state.players.filter((player) => !player.eliminated && !player.folded);
+}
+
+/** Players who can still take actions in the current betting round. */
+export function actingPlayers(state: PokerTableState): PokerPlayerState[] {
+  return state.players.filter((player) => canAct(player));
+}
+
+/**
+ * First seat after `afterSeat` (wrapping) that can act, or null when nobody
+ * can. Skips folded, all-in, and eliminated players.
+ */
+export function nextActorFrom(
+  players: readonly PokerPlayerState[],
+  afterSeat: PokerSeatId,
+): PokerSeatId | null {
+  const count = players.length;
+  for (let step = 1; step <= count; step += 1) {
+    const seat = (afterSeat + step) % count;
+    const player = players[seat];
+    if (player && canAct(player)) return seat;
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+export function nextToAct(state: PokerTableState, afterSeat: PokerSeatId): PokerSeatId | null {
+  return nextActorFrom(state.players, afterSeat);
+}
+
+/**
+ * First to act preflop. Heads-up quirk: the button (who posts the small
+ * blind) acts first. Multi-way: the seat after the big blind.
+ */
+export function preflopFirstToAct(
+  players: readonly PokerPlayerState[],
+  buttonSeat: PokerSeatId,
+  bigBlindSeat: PokerSeatId,
+  headsUp: boolean,
+): PokerSeatId | null {
+  if (headsUp) {
+    const button = players[buttonSeat];
+    if (button && canAct(button)) return buttonSeat;
+  }
+  return nextActorFrom(players, bigBlindSeat);
+}
+
+/** First to act postflop: the first live seat left of the button. */
+export function postflopFirstToAct(state: PokerTableState): PokerSeatId | null {
+  return nextToAct(state, state.buttonSeat);
+}
+
+/**
+ * A betting round is complete when every player who can act has acted and
+ * matched the current bet. (All-in players are exempt: they have nothing
+ * left to match with.)
+ */
+export function isRoundComplete(state: PokerTableState): boolean {
+  return actingPlayers(state).every(
+    (player) => player.hasActed && player.committed === state.currentBet,
+  );
+}
+
+const NO_ACTIONS: Omit<PokerLegalActions, "seatId"> = {
+  canFold: false,
+  canCheck: false,
+  canCall: false,
+  callAmount: 0,
+  canBet: false,
+  minBetTo: 0,
+  maxBetTo: 0,
+  canRaise: false,
+  minRaiseTo: 0,
+  maxRaiseTo: 0,
+};
+
+/**
+ * Legal actions for `seatId` right now. All bet/raise amounts are expressed
+ * as the player's TOTAL commitment for the current street ("raise to X").
+ */
+export function getLegalActions(state: PokerTableState, seatId: PokerSeatId): PokerLegalActions {
+  const player = state.players[seatId];
+  if (
+    !player ||
+    state.phase !== "betting" ||
+    state.toActSeat !== seatId ||
+    !canAct(player)
+  ) {
+    return { seatId, ...NO_ACTIONS };
+  }
+
+  const bigBlind = state.config.bigBlind;
+  const { stack, committed } = player;
+  const maxTo = committed + stack;
+  const callAmount = Math.min(state.currentBet - committed, stack);
+  const canCheck = state.currentBet === committed;
+  const canCall = state.currentBet > committed;
+  const canBet = state.currentBet === 0 && stack > 0;
+  const minBetTo = canBet ? Math.min(committed + bigBlind, maxTo) : 0;
+
+  // A short all-in raise (below min-raise) must not reopen the betting for
+  // players who already acted: they may only call or fold. A player may
+  // raise when the current bet came from a full raise, or when they have
+  // not acted yet this street.
+  const raiseUnlocked = state.currentBet === state.lastFullRaiseBet || !player.hasActed;
+  const canRaise =
+    state.currentBet > 0 && stack > 0 && maxTo > state.currentBet && raiseUnlocked;
+  const minRaiseTo = canRaise ? Math.min(state.currentBet + state.minRaise, maxTo) : 0;
+
+  return {
+    seatId,
+    canFold: true,
+    canCheck,
+    canCall,
+    callAmount: canCall ? callAmount : 0,
+    canBet,
+    minBetTo,
+    maxBetTo: maxTo,
+    canRaise,
+    minRaiseTo,
+    maxRaiseTo: maxTo,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Total chips committed on the current street across all players. */
+export function sumCommitted(state: PokerTableState): number {
+  return state.players.reduce((total, player) => total + player.committed, 0);
+}
+
+/** Move chips from a player's stack into their current-street commitment. */
+export function commitChips(player: PokerPlayerState, pay: number): PokerPlayerState {
+  const stack = player.stack - pay;
+  return {
+    ...player,
+    stack,
+    committed: player.committed + pay,
+    totalCommitted: player.totalCommitted + pay,
+    allIn: player.allIn || stack === 0,
+    hasActed: true,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Post a blind: commits chips but does NOT count as having acted, so the
+ * player keeps their preflop option to check or raise.
+ */
+export function postBlind(player: PokerPlayerState, blind: number): PokerPlayerState {
+  const pay = Math.min(blind, player.stack);
+  const stack = player.stack - pay;
+  return {
+    ...player,
+    stack,
+    committed: pay,
+    totalCommitted: pay,
+    allIn: stack === 0,
+    hasActed: false,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Clear street-level betting state after a round completes. */
+export function collectBets(players: readonly PokerPlayerState[]): PokerPlayerState[] {
+  return players.map((player) => ({
+    ...player,
+    committed: 0,
+    hasActed: false,
+  }));
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/constants.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/constants.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8bf493
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/constants.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/**
+ * Tunable constants for the No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker engine.
+ * Pure data, no imports: safe for client and server.
+ */
+
+/** Play chips each player starts a game with. */
+export const STARTING_STACK = 1000;
+
+export const SMALL_BLIND = 10;
+
+export const BIG_BLIND = 20;
+
+/**
+ * How long a player has to act, in milliseconds. The engine itself never
+ * enforces this (it is pure and synchronous); the future table-registry
+ * wrapper reads it to run turn timers and auto-fold stale players.
+ */
+export const TURN_TIMEOUT_MS = 30_000;
+
+/** Supported player count: heads-up through 4-handed. */
+export const MIN_PLAYERS = 2;
+export const MAX_PLAYERS = 4;
+
+export const MAX_TABLE_NAME_LENGTH = 48;
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/deck.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/deck.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a92514c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/deck.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+/**
+ * Deck creation and deterministic shuffling for the poker engine.
+ * Pure: randomness is always injected; no module-level state.
+ */
+
+import type { Card, Rank, Suit } from "./types";
+
+const SUITS: readonly Suit[] = ["s", "h", "d", "c"];
+const MIN_RANK: Rank = 2;
+const MAX_RANK: Rank = 14;
+
+/** A fresh, ordered 52-card deck (order is deterministic before shuffling). */
+export function createDeck(): Card[] {
+  const deck: Card[] = [];
+  for (const suit of SUITS) {
+    for (let rank = MIN_RANK; rank <= MAX_RANK; rank += 1) {
+      deck.push({ rank: rank as Rank, suit });
+    }
+  }
+  return deck;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Small, fast seeded PRNG (mulberry32). Used so a whole multi-hand game can
+ * be replayed from a single integer seed stored in the table state.
+ */
+export function mulberry32(seed: number): () => number {
+  let a = seed >>> 0;
+  return () => {
+    a = (a + 0x6d2b79f5) >>> 0;
+    let t = a;
+    t = Math.imul(t ^ (t >>> 15), t | 1);
+    t ^= t + Math.imul(t ^ (t >>> 7), t | 61);
+    return ((t ^ (t >>> 14)) >>> 0) / 4294967296;
+  };
+}
+
+/** Fisher-Yates shuffle; returns a new array, never mutates the input. */
+export function shuffleDeck(cards: readonly Card[], rng: () => number): Card[] {
+  const deck = [...cards];
+  for (let i = deck.length - 1; i > 0; i -= 1) {
+    const j = Math.floor(rng() * (i + 1));
+    const tmp = deck[i];
+    deck[i] = deck[j];
+    deck[j] = tmp;
+  }
+  return deck;
+}
+
+const GOLDEN_RATIO_32 = 0x9e3779b9;
+
+/** Per-hand seed derived from the table's base seed and the hand number. */
+export function handSeed(baseSeed: number, handNumber: number): number {
+  return (baseSeed + Math.imul(handNumber, GOLDEN_RATIO_32)) >>> 0;
+}
+
+/** The exact shuffled deck used for a given hand of a given game seed. */
+export function createShuffledDeck(baseSeed: number, handNumber: number): Card[] {
+  return shuffleDeck(createDeck(), mulberry32(handSeed(baseSeed, handNumber)));
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/engine.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/engine.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5c9e76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/engine.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,235 @@
+/**
+ * Core table lifecycle: table creation and state progression across streets
+ * and hands. Action application lives in actions.ts; hand setup in
+ * handSetup.ts.
+ *
+ * Pure and server-authoritative: every function takes a state and returns a
+ * new state (never mutates), all randomness flows from the table seed, and
+ * nothing here imports Payload, Next.js, or process. A later wrapper will
+ * hold states in a registry, run turn timers, and expose views.
+ */
+
+import {
+  collectBets,
+  isRoundComplete,
+  livePlayers,
+  postflopFirstToAct,
+  sumCommitted,
+} from "./betting";
+import { BIG_BLIND, MAX_PLAYERS, MIN_PLAYERS, SMALL_BLIND, STARTING_STACK, TURN_TIMEOUT_MS } from "./constants";
+import { startHand } from "./handSetup";
+import { resolveShowdown } from "./showdown";
+import type {
+  PokerPlayerShowdownResult,
+  PokerPlayerState,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerStreet,
+  PokerTableConfig,
+  PokerTableState,
+  PokerGamePlacement,
+  ShowdownOutcome,
+} from "./types";
+
+export interface PokerPlayerInit {
+  readonly name: string;
+  /** Overrides the table's starting stack for this seat (for tests/scenarios). */
+  readonly stack?: number;
+}
+
+export interface CreateTableOptions {
+  readonly startingStack?: number;
+  readonly smallBlind?: number;
+  readonly bigBlind?: number;
+}
+
+/** Award the whole pot to the last live player without a showdown. */
+export function awardFoldOut(state: PokerTableState): PokerTableState {
+  const live = livePlayers(state);
+  const winner = live[0];
+  if (!winner) return state;
+  const potAmount = state.collectedPot + sumCommitted(state);
+  const collected = collectBets(state.players);
+  const players = collected.map((player) =>
+    player.seatId === winner.seatId ? { ...player, stack: player.stack + potAmount } : player,
+  );
+  const results: PokerPlayerShowdownResult[] = state.players
+    .filter((player) => !player.eliminated)
+    .map((player) => {
+      const isWinner = player.seatId === winner.seatId;
+      const chipsWon = isWinner ? potAmount : 0;
+      return {
+        seatId: player.seatId,
+        handRank: null,
+        bestHand: null,
+        chipsWon,
+        netChange: chipsWon - player.totalCommitted,
+        placement: isWinner ? 1 : 2,
+      };
+    });
+  const showdown: ShowdownOutcome = {
+    pots: [
+      {
+        potIndex: 0,
+        amount: potAmount,
+        winnerSeats: [winner.seatId],
+        eligibleSeats: [winner.seatId],
+      },
+    ],
+    results,
+  };
+  return {
+    ...state,
+    players,
+    collectedPot: 0,
+    phase: "hand-complete",
+    toActSeat: null,
+    showdown,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Resolve a showdown and credit each winner's chipsWon to their stack. */
+function resolveAndPay(state: PokerTableState): PokerTableState {
+  const outcome = resolveShowdown(state);
+  const winnings = new Map<PokerSeatId, number>();
+  for (const result of outcome.results) winnings.set(result.seatId, result.chipsWon);
+  const players = state.players.map((player) => ({
+    ...player,
+    stack: player.stack + (winnings.get(player.seatId) ?? 0),
+  }));
+  return {
+    ...state,
+    players,
+    collectedPot: 0,
+    phase: "showdown",
+    toActSeat: null,
+    showdown: outcome,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Deal the remaining community cards and resolve the showdown. */
+function runOutAndShowdown(state: PokerTableState): PokerTableState {
+  let community = [...state.communityCards];
+  let deck = [...state.deck];
+  while (community.length < 5) {
+    const toDeal = community.length === 0 ? 3 : 1;
+    community = [...community, ...deck.slice(0, toDeal)];
+    deck = deck.slice(toDeal);
+  }
+  const withBoard: PokerTableState = {
+    ...state,
+    communityCards: community,
+    deck,
+    street: "river",
+    toActSeat: null,
+  };
+  return resolveAndPay(withBoard);
+}
+
+const STREET_ORDER: readonly PokerStreet[] = ["preflop", "flop", "turn", "river"];
+
+/**
+ * Progress the state whenever it can progress on its own:
+ * - mid-betting-round: no-op until the round completes;
+ * - round complete: collect bets, deal the next street (or run the board out
+ *   when betting is impossible), or resolve the showdown on the river;
+ * - hand over: start the next hand, or finish the game when one player holds
+ *   every chip.
+ * Idempotent: calling it on a resting state returns that state unchanged.
+ */
+export function advanceState(state: PokerTableState): PokerTableState {
+  if (state.phase === "game-complete") return state;
+  if (state.phase === "showdown" || state.phase === "hand-complete") {
+    return startHand(state);
+  }
+  if (!isRoundComplete(state)) return state;
+
+  const collected = state.collectedPot + sumCommitted(state);
+  const next: PokerTableState = {
+    ...state,
+    players: collectBets(state.players),
+    collectedPot: collected,
+    currentBet: 0,
+    minRaise: state.config.bigBlind,
+    lastFullRaiseBet: 0,
+    toActSeat: null,
+  };
+
+  const live = livePlayers(next);
+  if (live.length <= 1) return awardFoldOut(next);
+
+  const actors = live.filter((player) => !player.allIn);
+  if (actors.length <= 1) return runOutAndShowdown(next);
+
+  if (next.street === "river") {
+    return resolveAndPay(next);
+  }
+
+  const streetIndex = STREET_ORDER.indexOf(next.street);
+  const street = STREET_ORDER[streetIndex + 1] ?? "river";
+  const cardsToDeal = street === "flop" ? 3 : 1;
+  return {
+    ...next,
+    street,
+    communityCards: [...next.communityCards, ...next.deck.slice(0, cardsToDeal)],
+    deck: next.deck.slice(cardsToDeal),
+    toActSeat: postflopFirstToAct(next),
+  };
+}
+
+export function createTableState(
+  players: readonly PokerPlayerInit[],
+  options: CreateTableOptions = {},
+  rng: () => number = Math.random,
+): PokerTableState {
+  if (players.length < MIN_PLAYERS || players.length > MAX_PLAYERS) {
+    throw new Error(`Poker tables support ${MIN_PLAYERS} to ${MAX_PLAYERS} players.`);
+  }
+  const startingStack = options.startingStack ?? STARTING_STACK;
+  const smallBlind = options.smallBlind ?? SMALL_BLIND;
+  const bigBlind = options.bigBlind ?? BIG_BLIND;
+  if (smallBlind <= 0 || bigBlind < smallBlind) {
+    throw new Error("Blinds must be positive and the big blind must be at least the small blind.");
+  }
+  const config: PokerTableConfig = {
+    startingStack,
+    smallBlind,
+    bigBlind,
+    turnTimeoutMs: TURN_TIMEOUT_MS,
+  };
+  const seed = Math.floor(rng() * 0x100000000) >>> 0;
+  const seated: PokerPlayerState[] = players.map((player, index) => ({
+    seatId: index,
+    name: player.name,
+    stack: player.stack ?? startingStack,
+    committed: 0,
+    totalCommitted: 0,
+    holeCards: [],
+    folded: true,
+    allIn: false,
+    hasActed: false,
+    eliminated: false,
+  }));
+  const initial: PokerTableState = {
+    config,
+    seed,
+    handNumber: 0,
+    players: seated,
+    buttonSeat: seated.length - 1,
+    smallBlindSeat: 0,
+    bigBlindSeat: 1,
+    street: "preflop",
+    phase: "hand-complete",
+    collectedPot: 0,
+    communityCards: [],
+    deck: [],
+    currentBet: 0,
+    minRaise: bigBlind,
+    lastFullRaiseBet: 0,
+    toActSeat: null,
+    showdown: null,
+    finalPlacements: null,
+  };
+  // Hand 1 starts immediately: the "hand-complete" resting phase makes
+  // advanceState deal it, which also moves the button to the first seat.
+  return advanceState(initial);
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/evaluator.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/evaluator.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf94367
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/evaluator.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+/**
+ * 5-to-7 card hand evaluation for No-Limit Texas Hold'em.
+ *
+ * Pure and suit-independent: two hands with identical ranks tie regardless of
+ * suits (flushes included, since a flush's tiebreakers are ranks only).
+ */
+
+import type { Card, HandRank } from "./types";
+
+export const HAND_CATEGORIES = {
+  HIGH_CARD: 0,
+  PAIR: 1,
+  TWO_PAIR: 2,
+  TRIPS: 3,
+  STRAIGHT: 4,
+  FLUSH: 5,
+  FULL_HOUSE: 6,
+  QUADS: 7,
+  STRAIGHT_FLUSH: 8,
+} as const;
+
+export const HAND_CATEGORY_NAMES: readonly string[] = [
+  "high card",
+  "pair",
+  "two pair",
+  "three of a kind",
+  "straight",
+  "flush",
+  "full house",
+  "four of a kind",
+  "straight flush",
+];
+
+export interface PokerHandEvaluation {
+  readonly rank: HandRank;
+  /** The exact 5 cards that produced the rank (best 5 of the input). */
+  readonly best: readonly Card[];
+}
+
+/** Positive when `a` beats `b`, negative when `b` beats `a`, 0 on a tie. */
+export function compareHandRanks(a: HandRank, b: HandRank): number {
+  if (a.category !== b.category) return a.category - b.category;
+  const length = Math.max(a.tiebreakers.length, b.tiebreakers.length);
+  for (let i = 0; i < length; i += 1) {
+    const av = a.tiebreakers[i] ?? 0;
+    const bv = b.tiebreakers[i] ?? 0;
+    if (av !== bv) return av - bv;
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Score exactly 5 cards into a HandRank. Internal helper; assumes the input
+ * length (the public entry point validates it).
+ */
+function score5(cards: readonly Card[]): HandRank {
+  const ranks = cards.map((card) => card.rank).sort((x, y) => y - x);
+  const isFlush = cards.every((card) => card.suit === cards[0].suit);
+
+  const counts = new Map<number, number>();
+  for (const rank of ranks) counts.set(rank, (counts.get(rank) ?? 0) + 1);
+  // Rank groups sorted by count descending, then rank descending, so
+  // groups[0] is always the most valuable matched set.
+  const groups = Array.from(counts.entries()).sort((x, y) => y[1] - x[1] || y[0] - x[0]);
+  const distinct = Array.from(counts.keys()).sort((x, y) => y - x);
+
+  let straightHigh: number | null = null;
+  if (distinct.length === 5) {
+    const top = distinct[0];
+    const second = distinct[1];
+    const bottom = distinct[4];
+    if (top !== undefined && second !== undefined && bottom !== undefined) {
+      if (top - bottom === 4) {
+        straightHigh = top;
+      } else if (top === 14 && second === 5) {
+        // Wheel: A-2-3-4-5 plays as a five-high straight.
+        straightHigh = 5;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  const first = groups[0];
+  if (!first) throw new Error("score5 requires exactly five cards.");
+  const second = groups[1];
+  const firstRank = first[0];
+  const firstCount = first[1];
+  const secondRank = second?.[0] ?? 0;
+  const secondCount = second?.[1] ?? 0;
+  const groupRanksFrom = (skip: number): number[] => groups.slice(skip).map((group) => group[0]);
+
+  if (straightHigh !== null && isFlush) return { category: 8, tiebreakers: [straightHigh] };
+  if (firstCount === 4) return { category: 7, tiebreakers: [firstRank, secondRank] };
+  if (firstCount === 3 && secondCount === 2) {
+    return { category: 6, tiebreakers: [firstRank, secondRank] };
+  }
+  if (isFlush) return { category: 5, tiebreakers: ranks };
+  if (straightHigh !== null) return { category: 4, tiebreakers: [straightHigh] };
+  if (firstCount === 3) return { category: 3, tiebreakers: [firstRank, ...groupRanksFrom(1)] };
+  if (firstCount === 2 && secondCount === 2) {
+    return { category: 2, tiebreakers: [firstRank, secondRank, ...groupRanksFrom(2)] };
+  }
+  if (firstCount === 2) return { category: 1, tiebreakers: [firstRank, ...groupRanksFrom(1)] };
+  return { category: 0, tiebreakers: ranks };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Evaluate the best 5-card hand out of 5, 6, or 7 cards by scoring every
+ * 5-card combination (at most C(7,5) = 21) and keeping the maximum.
+ */
+export function evaluateHand(cards: readonly Card[]): PokerHandEvaluation {
+  if (cards.length < 5 || cards.length > 7) {
+    throw new Error(`evaluateHand expects 5 to 7 cards, received ${cards.length}.`);
+  }
+  let best: PokerHandEvaluation | null = null;
+  const n = cards.length;
+  for (let a = 0; a < n - 4; a += 1) {
+    for (let b = a + 1; b < n - 3; b += 1) {
+      for (let c = b + 1; c < n - 2; c += 1) {
+        for (let d = c + 1; d < n - 1; d += 1) {
+          for (let e = d + 1; e < n; e += 1) {
+            const hand = [cards[a], cards[b], cards[c], cards[d], cards[e]];
+            const rank = score5(hand);
+            if (!best || compareHandRanks(rank, best.rank) > 0) {
+              best = { rank, best: hand };
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  if (!best) throw new Error("evaluateHand failed to score any 5-card combination.");
+  return best;
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/handHint.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/handHint.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf55198
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/handHint.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+import { HAND_CATEGORIES, HAND_CATEGORY_NAMES, evaluateHand } from "./evaluator";
+import type { Card, Rank } from "./types";
+
+export interface HandStrengthHint {
+  readonly label: string;
+  readonly bestCardKeys: string[];
+}
+
+const RANK_NAMES: Record<Rank, string> = {
+  2: "Deuce",
+  3: "Three",
+  4: "Four",
+  5: "Five",
+  6: "Six",
+  7: "Seven",
+  8: "Eight",
+  9: "Nine",
+  10: "Ten",
+  11: "Jack",
+  12: "Queen",
+  13: "King",
+  14: "Ace",
+};
+
+function cardKey(card: Card): string {
+  return `${card.rank}-${card.suit}`;
+}
+
+function rankName(rank: number): string {
+  return RANK_NAMES[rank as Rank] ?? "Unknown";
+}
+
+function pluralRankName(rank: number): string {
+  const name = rankName(rank);
+  return name === "Six" ? "Sixes" : `${name}s`;
+}
+
+function highCardLabel(rank: number): string {
+  return `${rankName(rank)} high`;
+}
+
+function capitalize(value: string): string {
+  return value.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + value.slice(1);
+}
+
+function postflopLabel(category: number, tiebreakers: readonly number[]): string {
+  const first = tiebreakers[0] ?? 0;
+  switch (category) {
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.HIGH_CARD:
+      return `High card, ${highCardLabel(first)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.PAIR:
+      return `Pair of ${pluralRankName(first)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.TWO_PAIR:
+      return `Two pair, ${pluralRankName(first)} and ${pluralRankName(tiebreakers[1] ?? 0)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.TRIPS:
+      return `Three of a kind, ${pluralRankName(first)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.STRAIGHT:
+      return `Straight, ${highCardLabel(first)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.FLUSH:
+      return `Flush, ${highCardLabel(first)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.FULL_HOUSE:
+      return `Full house, ${pluralRankName(first)} over ${pluralRankName(tiebreakers[1] ?? 0)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.QUADS:
+      return `Four of a kind, ${pluralRankName(first)}`;
+    case HAND_CATEGORIES.STRAIGHT_FLUSH:
+      return `Straight flush, ${highCardLabel(first)}`;
+    default:
+      return capitalize(HAND_CATEGORY_NAMES[category] ?? "unknown hand");
+  }
+}
+
+export function describeHandStrength(
+  holeCards: readonly Card[],
+  communityCards: readonly Card[],
+): HandStrengthHint | null {
+  if (holeCards.length === 0) return null;
+
+  if (communityCards.length === 0) {
+    const highCard = holeCards.reduce((best, card) => (card.rank > best.rank ? card : best));
+    const pair = holeCards.length >= 2 && holeCards[0]?.rank === holeCards[1]?.rank;
+    return {
+      label: pair
+        ? `Pair of ${pluralRankName(highCard.rank)}`
+        : `High card ${rankName(highCard.rank)}`,
+      bestCardKeys: pair ? holeCards.map(cardKey) : [cardKey(highCard)],
+    };
+  }
+
+  const combined = [...holeCards, ...communityCards];
+  if (combined.length < 5 || combined.length > 7) return null;
+
+  const evaluation = evaluateHand(combined);
+  return {
+    label: postflopLabel(evaluation.rank.category, evaluation.rank.tiebreakers),
+    bestCardKeys: evaluation.best.map(cardKey),
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/handSetup.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/handSetup.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..155e334
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/handSetup.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+/**
+ * Hand setup and teardown: dealing, blind posting, button movement, and
+ * final game placement. Pure functions over the table state.
+ */
+
+import { postBlind, preflopFirstToAct } from "./betting";
+import { createShuffledDeck } from "./deck";
+import type {
+  Card,
+  PokerGamePlacement,
+  PokerPlayerState,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerTableState,
+} from "./types";
+
+export function nextEligibleSeat(
+  players: readonly PokerPlayerState[],
+  afterSeat: PokerSeatId,
+): PokerSeatId {
+  const count = players.length;
+  for (let step = 1; step <= count; step += 1) {
+    const seat = (afterSeat + step) % count;
+    const player = players[seat];
+    if (player && !player.eliminated && player.stack > 0) return seat;
+  }
+  return afterSeat;
+}
+
+function dealHoleCards(
+  players: readonly PokerPlayerState[],
+  buttonSeat: PokerSeatId,
+  deck: readonly Card[],
+): { players: PokerPlayerState[]; deck: readonly Card[] } {
+  const holeCards = new Map<PokerSeatId, Card[]>();
+  let deckIndex = 0;
+  // Deal starts left of the button, two cards per eligible player.
+  for (let round = 0; round < 2; round += 1) {
+    let seat = buttonSeat;
+    for (let step = 0; step < players.length; step += 1) {
+      seat = (seat + 1) % players.length;
+      const player = players[seat];
+      if (!player || player.eliminated || player.stack <= 0) continue;
+      const card = deck[deckIndex];
+      deckIndex += 1;
+      const hand = holeCards.get(seat) ?? [];
+      if (card) hand.push(card);
+      holeCards.set(seat, hand);
+    }
+  }
+  return {
+    players: players.map((player) => ({
+      ...player,
+      holeCards: holeCards.get(player.seatId) ?? [],
+    })),
+    deck: deck.slice(deckIndex),
+  };
+}
+
+function finishGame(state: PokerTableState): PokerTableState {
+  const players = state.players.map((player) =>
+    player.stack <= 0 ? { ...player, eliminated: true } : player,
+  );
+  const ranked = [...players].sort((a, b) => b.stack - a.stack || a.seatId - b.seatId);
+  const placements = new Map<PokerSeatId, number>();
+  let current = 0;
+  let previousStack = -1;
+  ranked.forEach((player, index) => {
+    if (player.stack !== previousStack) {
+      current = index + 1;
+      previousStack = player.stack;
+    }
+    placements.set(player.seatId, current);
+  });
+  const finalPlacements: PokerGamePlacement[] = players.map((player) => ({
+    seatId: player.seatId,
+    placement: placements.get(player.seatId) ?? 0,
+  }));
+  return {
+    ...state,
+    players,
+    phase: "game-complete",
+    toActSeat: null,
+    finalPlacements,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Start the next hand: move the button, post blinds, deal, set preflop action. */
+export function startHand(state: PokerTableState): PokerTableState {
+  const eligible = state.players.filter((player) => player.stack > 0);
+  if (eligible.length <= 1) return finishGame(state);
+
+  const handNumber = state.handNumber + 1;
+  const buttonSeat = nextEligibleSeat(state.players, state.buttonSeat);
+  const headsUp = eligible.length === 2;
+  const smallBlindSeat = headsUp ? buttonSeat : nextEligibleSeat(state.players, buttonSeat);
+  const bigBlindSeat = nextEligibleSeat(state.players, smallBlindSeat);
+
+  const reset = state.players.map((player) => {
+    if (player.stack <= 0) {
+      return {
+        ...player,
+        eliminated: true,
+        folded: true,
+        allIn: false,
+        committed: 0,
+        totalCommitted: 0,
+        hasActed: false,
+        holeCards: [],
+      };
+    }
+    return {
+      ...player,
+      folded: false,
+      allIn: false,
+      committed: 0,
+      totalCommitted: 0,
+      hasActed: false,
+      holeCards: [],
+    };
+  });
+
+  const dealt = dealHoleCards(reset, buttonSeat, createShuffledDeck(state.seed, handNumber));
+  const afterBlinds = dealt.players.map((player) => {
+    if (player.seatId === smallBlindSeat) return postBlind(player, state.config.smallBlind);
+    if (player.seatId === bigBlindSeat) return postBlind(player, state.config.bigBlind);
+    return player;
+  });
+
+  const smallBlindPosted = afterBlinds[smallBlindSeat]?.committed ?? 0;
+  const bigBlindPosted = afterBlinds[bigBlindSeat]?.committed ?? 0;
+  const currentBet = Math.max(smallBlindPosted, bigBlindPosted);
+  const toActSeat = preflopFirstToAct(afterBlinds, buttonSeat, bigBlindSeat, headsUp);
+
+  return {
+    ...state,
+    handNumber,
+    players: afterBlinds,
+    buttonSeat,
+    smallBlindSeat,
+    bigBlindSeat,
+    street: "preflop",
+    phase: "betting",
+    collectedPot: 0,
+    communityCards: [],
+    deck: dealt.deck,
+    currentBet,
+    minRaise: state.config.bigBlind,
+    lastFullRaiseBet: currentBet,
+    toActSeat,
+    showdown: null,
+    finalPlacements: null,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/index.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8f2a12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+/**
+ * Public API of the pure No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker engine.
+ * Everything exported here is client-safe: no Payload, Next.js, process, or
+ * database imports, and no module-level mutable state.
+ */
+
+export * from "./constants";
+export * from "./types";
+export * from "./deck";
+export * from "./evaluator";
+export * from "./pots";
+export * from "./betting";
+export * from "./handSetup";
+export * from "./showdown";
+export * from "./views";
+export * from "./engine";
+export * from "./actions";
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/pots.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/pots.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1bc18b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/pots.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/**
+ * Layered side-pot construction from per-player hand contributions.
+ *
+ * Pure math over `totalCommitted`: pot boundaries are the distinct
+ * contribution levels of players who are still eligible to win (not folded).
+ * Folded players' chips fill the pots up to their contribution level; any
+ * dead money a folder contributed above the highest live level rolls into
+ * the top pot.
+ */
+
+import type { PokerPlayerState, PokerSeatId } from "./types";
+
+export interface PokerSidePot {
+  readonly amount: number;
+  /** Seats whose hands compete for this pot (non-folded, contribution >= level). */
+  readonly eligibleSeats: readonly PokerSeatId[];
+}
+
+export function buildSidePots(players: readonly PokerPlayerState[]): PokerSidePot[] {
+  const contributors = players.filter((player) => player.totalCommitted > 0);
+  if (contributors.length === 0) return [];
+  const live = contributors.filter((player) => !player.folded);
+  const levels = Array.from(new Set(live.map((player) => player.totalCommitted))).sort(
+    (a, b) => a - b,
+  );
+
+  const pots: PokerSidePot[] = [];
+  let previousLevel = 0;
+  for (const level of levels) {
+    let amount = 0;
+    for (const player of contributors) {
+      amount += Math.min(player.totalCommitted, level) - Math.min(player.totalCommitted, previousLevel);
+    }
+    if (amount > 0) {
+      const eligibleSeats = live
+        .filter((player) => player.totalCommitted >= level)
+        .map((player) => player.seatId);
+      pots.push({ amount, eligibleSeats });
+    }
+    previousLevel = level;
+  }
+
+  // Dead money above the highest live level (a folder who put in more than
+  // every live player's all-in) belongs to the top pot's winners.
+  let excess = 0;
+  for (const player of contributors) {
+    excess += player.totalCommitted - Math.min(player.totalCommitted, previousLevel);
+  }
+  if (excess > 0) {
+    const top = pots[pots.length - 1];
+    if (top) {
+      pots[pots.length - 1] = {
+        amount: top.amount + excess,
+        eligibleSeats: top.eligibleSeats,
+      };
+    } else {
+      pots.push({ amount: excess, eligibleSeats: live.map((player) => player.seatId) });
+    }
+  }
+
+  return pots;
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/showdown.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/showdown.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2242fe3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/showdown.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+/**
+ * Showdown resolution: evaluate live hands, layer side pots, award each pot
+ * to the best eligible hand (splitting ties), and produce per-player
+ * outcomes with placements, chips won, and net change.
+ */
+
+import { compareHandRanks, evaluateHand, type PokerHandEvaluation } from "./evaluator";
+import { buildSidePots } from "./pots";
+import type {
+  PokerPlayerShowdownResult,
+  PokerPotResult,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerTableState,
+  ShowdownOutcome,
+} from "./types";
+
+/** Odd-chip ordering: seats are paid starting left of the button. */
+function oddChipOrder(
+  seats: readonly PokerSeatId[],
+  buttonSeat: PokerSeatId,
+  tableSize: number,
+): PokerSeatId[] {
+  return [...seats].sort(
+    (a, b) =>
+      ((a - buttonSeat - 1 + tableSize * 2) % tableSize) -
+      ((b - buttonSeat - 1 + tableSize * 2) % tableSize),
+  );
+}
+
+export function resolveShowdown(state: PokerTableState): ShowdownOutcome {
+  const inHand = state.players.filter((player) => !player.eliminated);
+  const live = inHand.filter((player) => !player.folded);
+
+  const evaluations = new Map<PokerSeatId, PokerHandEvaluation>();
+  for (const player of live) {
+    evaluations.set(
+      player.seatId,
+      evaluateHand([...player.holeCards, ...state.communityCards]),
+    );
+  }
+
+  const pots = buildSidePots(state.players);
+  const winnings = new Map<PokerSeatId, number>();
+  const potResults: PokerPotResult[] = [];
+
+  pots.forEach((pot, potIndex) => {
+    let best: PokerHandEvaluation | null = null;
+    for (const seat of pot.eligibleSeats) {
+      const evaluation = evaluations.get(seat);
+      if (evaluation && (!best || compareHandRanks(evaluation.rank, best.rank) > 0)) {
+        best = evaluation;
+      }
+    }
+    const winners = best
+      ? pot.eligibleSeats.filter((seat) => {
+          const evaluation = evaluations.get(seat);
+          return evaluation !== undefined && compareHandRanks(evaluation.rank, best.rank) === 0;
+        })
+      : [];
+
+    const ordered = oddChipOrder(winners, state.buttonSeat, state.players.length);
+    const share = ordered.length > 0 ? Math.floor(pot.amount / ordered.length) : 0;
+    let remainder = ordered.length > 0 ? pot.amount - share * ordered.length : 0;
+    for (const seat of ordered) {
+      let won = share;
+      if (remainder > 0) {
+        won += 1;
+        remainder -= 1;
+      }
+      winnings.set(seat, (winnings.get(seat) ?? 0) + won);
+    }
+    potResults.push({
+      potIndex,
+      amount: pot.amount,
+      winnerSeats: ordered,
+      eligibleSeats: pot.eligibleSeats,
+    });
+  });
+
+  // Showdown placements: live hands ranked best first, ties sharing the
+  // better placement; folded players rank below every live hand.
+  const liveOrdered = [...live].sort((a, b) => {
+    const ea = evaluations.get(a.seatId);
+    const eb = evaluations.get(b.seatId);
+    if (!ea || !eb) return 0;
+    return compareHandRanks(eb.rank, ea.rank);
+  });
+  const placements = new Map<PokerSeatId, number>();
+  let currentPlacement = 0;
+  let previous: PokerHandEvaluation | null = null;
+  liveOrdered.forEach((player, index) => {
+    const evaluation = evaluations.get(player.seatId);
+    if (!evaluation) return;
+    if (!previous || compareHandRanks(evaluation.rank, previous.rank) !== 0) {
+      currentPlacement = index + 1;
+    }
+    placements.set(player.seatId, currentPlacement);
+    previous = evaluation;
+  });
+  const foldedPlacement = live.length + 1;
+
+  const results: PokerPlayerShowdownResult[] = inHand.map((player) => {
+    const evaluation = evaluations.get(player.seatId) ?? null;
+    const chipsWon = winnings.get(player.seatId) ?? 0;
+    return {
+      seatId: player.seatId,
+      handRank: evaluation?.rank ?? null,
+      bestHand: evaluation?.best ?? null,
+      chipsWon,
+      netChange: chipsWon - player.totalCommitted,
+      placement: player.folded ? foldedPlacement : (placements.get(player.seatId) ?? foldedPlacement),
+    };
+  });
+
+  return { pots: potResults, results };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/stats.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/stats.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e62d0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/stats.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+/**
+ * Poker XP + profile-stats awarding (Payload-dependent, server-only).
+ * Signatures below are the pinned contract consumed by the table registry;
+ * the database-backed body of awardPokerGameResult is filled in by the
+ * stats implementation pass.
+ */
+
+import type { Payload } from "payload";
+import { broadcastToUser } from "@/lib/realtime/bus";
+import { emitGameEvent } from "@/utils/event-log/emit";
+import { EventTypes } from "@/utils/event-log/eventTypes";
+
+export interface PokerPlacementResult {
+  userId: number;
+  /** 1 = winner. */
+  placement: number;
+  /** Chip total the player finished the game with. */
+  finalChips: number;
+  /** Hands this player won outright during the game. */
+  handsWon: number;
+}
+
+export interface PokerStats {
+  gamesPlayed: number;
+  wins: number;
+  secondPlaces: number;
+  thirdPlaces: number;
+  fourthPlaces: number;
+  handsWon: number;
+  bestScore: number;
+  xpEarned: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * XP per placement, scaled by table size:
+ * 1st = 40x, 2nd = 20x, 3rd = 10x, 4th = 5x (times playerCount).
+ * Tunable here only; the registry and UI must not hardcode XP values.
+ */
+export function xpForPlacement(placement: number, playerCount: number): number {
+  const multiplier =
+    placement === 1 ? 40 : placement === 2 ? 20 : placement === 3 ? 10 : 5;
+  return multiplier * playerCount;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Defensive reader for a profile's progression.minigames.poker stats.
+ * Accepts anything (profiles may predate the poker group) and returns a
+ * fully-populated PokerStats with zeros for missing values.
+ */
+export function readPokerStats(profile: unknown): PokerStats {
+  const poker =
+    (profile as { progression?: { minigames?: { poker?: Partial<PokerStats> } } })
+      ?.progression?.minigames?.poker ?? {};
+  return {
+    gamesPlayed: poker.gamesPlayed ?? 0,
+    wins: poker.wins ?? 0,
+    secondPlaces: poker.secondPlaces ?? 0,
+    thirdPlaces: poker.thirdPlaces ?? 0,
+    fourthPlaces: poker.fourthPlaces ?? 0,
+    handsWon: poker.handsWon ?? 0,
+    bestScore: poker.bestScore ?? 0,
+    xpEarned: poker.xpEarned ?? 0,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Pure stat transition for one finished sit-and-go entry: bumps gamesPlayed,
+ * the placement counter matching the result's placement, accumulates hands
+ * won, keeps the best chip total, and adds the placement XP.
+ */
+export function computePokerStatsDelta(
+  current: PokerStats,
+  result: PokerPlacementResult,
+  playerCount: number,
+): PokerStats {
+  const placement = result.placement;
+  return {
+    gamesPlayed: current.gamesPlayed + 1,
+    wins: current.wins + (placement === 1 ? 1 : 0),
+    secondPlaces: current.secondPlaces + (placement === 2 ? 1 : 0),
+    thirdPlaces: current.thirdPlaces + (placement === 3 ? 1 : 0),
+    fourthPlaces: current.fourthPlaces + (placement === 4 ? 1 : 0),
+    handsWon: current.handsWon + result.handsWon,
+    bestScore: Math.max(current.bestScore, result.finalChips),
+    xpEarned: current.xpEarned + xpForPlacement(placement, playerCount),
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Awards XP and updates progression.minigames.poker for every player in a
+ * completed sit-and-go. Emits the profile-update SSE push and a single
+ * game event log entry (EventTypes.MinigamePoker). Never throws: per-user
+ * failures are logged and skipped so one broken profile cannot block the
+ * table.
+ */
+export async function awardPokerGameResult(
+  payload: Payload,
+  results: PokerPlacementResult[],
+): Promise<{ xpByUser: Record<number, number> }> {
+  if (results.length === 0) {
+    return { xpByUser: {} };
+  }
+
+  const playerCount = results.length;
+  const xpByUser: Record<number, number> = {};
+
+  for (const result of results) {
+    const xp = xpForPlacement(result.placement, playerCount);
+    xpByUser[result.userId] = xp;
+
+    try {
+      const profileRes = await payload.find({
+        collection: "profiles",
+        where: { user: { equals: result.userId } },
+        limit: 1,
+        depth: 0,
+        overrideAccess: true,
+      });
+      const profile = profileRes.docs[0];
+      if (!profile) {
+        payload.logger.error(`Poker stats: no profile found for user ${result.userId}`);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const current = readPokerStats(profile);
+      const next = computePokerStatsDelta(current, result, playerCount);
+      const progression = (profile.progression ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>;
+      const minigames = (progression.minigames ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>;
+
+      await payload.update({
+        collection: "profiles",
+        id: profile.id,
+        data: {
+          progression: {
+            ...progression,
+            minigames: {
+              ...minigames,
+              poker: next,
+            },
+          },
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+
+      broadcastToUser("profile-update", result.userId, {
+        reason: "xp",
+        xpGained: xp,
+        profileId: profile.id,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+      payload.logger.error(
+        `Poker stats: failed to award result for user ${result.userId}: ${message}`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  const winner = results.find((r) => r.placement === 1) ?? results[0];
+  await emitGameEvent(payload, {
+    type: EventTypes.MinigamePoker,
+    message: `finished a poker sit-and-go (1st of ${playerCount})`,
+    actor: winner.userId,
+    targetCollection: "users",
+    targetId: winner.userId,
+    data: {
+      placements: results,
+      xpByUser,
+      playerCount,
+    },
+  });
+
+  return { xpByUser };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/tables.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/tables.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b98dd39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/tables.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,579 @@
+/**
+ * Server-side multiplayer registry for the poker minigame.
+ *
+ * Holds live table records in a module-level Map (same pattern as
+ * src/lib/realtime/bus.ts). SINGLE-INSTANCE ONLY: table state lives in
+ * process memory, so this will not work across multiple server instances;
+ * the SSE pipeline it pushes through has the same limitation.
+ *
+ * The pure engine (./engine, ./actions) never touches timers or I/O. This
+ * wrapper owns turn timeouts, next-hand pauses, lobby broadcasts, and the
+ * per-user snapshot pushes. Seat map invariant: seatMap is padded to
+ * MAX_PLAYERS slots with trailing nulls, so engine player i always
+ * corresponds to seatMap[i] (appends never shift existing indices).
+ *
+ * allow: SIZE_OK: single cohesive registry module; the task pins this exact
+ * file path as the shared server-side surface for three parallel agents, so
+ * it cannot be split without breaking the ownership contract.
+ */
+
+import { getPayload } from "payload";
+import type { Payload } from "payload";
+import { broadcast, broadcastToUser } from "@/lib/realtime/bus";
+import { notifyUser } from "@/lib/notifications";
+import { applyAction } from "./actions";
+import { getLegalActions } from "./betting";
+import {
+  MAX_PLAYERS,
+  MAX_TABLE_NAME_LENGTH,
+  MIN_PLAYERS,
+  STARTING_STACK,
+  TURN_TIMEOUT_MS,
+} from "./constants";
+import { advanceState, createTableState } from "./engine";
+import { awardPokerGameResult, type PokerPlacementResult } from "./stats";
+import type {
+  PokerActionKind,
+  PokerPlayerState,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerTableState,
+  PrivatePlayerView,
+} from "./types";
+import { buildPrivateView } from "./views";
+
+/** Maximum number of live tables; table creation rejects beyond this. */
+export const MAX_TABLES = 20;
+
+/** Pause after a hand result before the next hand auto-starts. */
+export const NEXT_HAND_DELAY_MS = 6000;
+
+/** A table with no client interaction for this long is swept as abandoned. */
+export const TABLE_EXPIRY_MS = 5 * 60_000;
+
+const TABLE_SWEEP_INTERVAL_MS = 30_000;
+
+export interface PokerTableSummary {
+  tableId: string;
+  name: string | null;
+  hostName: string;
+  seatedCount: number;
+  maxSeats: number;
+  inGame: boolean;
+  createdAt: string;
+}
+
+export interface PokerSnapshot {
+  tableId: string;
+  name: string | null;
+  version: number;
+  /** ISO timestamp when the current turn auto-acts; null when no live turn. */
+  turnDeadline: string | null;
+  /** ISO timestamp when the next hand auto-starts after a hand result pause. */
+  nextHandAt: string | null;
+  /** Full table state plus the viewer's private cards and legal actions; null when not seated. */
+  you: PrivatePlayerView | null;
+  /** seatId to userId (null = empty seat); lets the UI map names and hosts. */
+  seats: (number | null)[];
+  hostSeatId: number | null;
+}
+
+interface PendingJoin {
+  userId: number;
+  name: string;
+}
+
+interface PokerTableRecord {
+  id: string;
+  name: string | null;
+  version: number;
+  hostUserId: number | null;
+  /** Engine seat order, padded to MAX_PLAYERS with trailing nulls. */
+  seatMap: (number | null)[];
+  state: PokerTableState | null;
+  inGame: boolean;
+  handsWonThisGame: Record<number, number>;
+  /** handNumber already counted into handsWonThisGame (prevents double counts). */
+  countedHandNumber: number | null;
+  turnTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null;
+  /** Version the pending turn timer was scheduled for (stale timers bail). */
+  turnTimerVersion: number | null;
+  turnDeadlineAt: string | null;
+  nextHandTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null;
+  nextHandAt: string | null;
+  pendingJoins: PendingJoin[];
+  awayUsers: Set<number>;
+  /** Users who left mid-game; kept in seatMap so the UI can show "left". */
+  leftUsers: Set<number>;
+  userNames: Map<number, string>;
+  createdAt: string;
+  /** Last client interaction (poll, action, join/leave/start); drives expiry. */
+  lastActivityAt: number;
+}
+
+// Anchored on globalThis because Next.js dev gives each client session its
+// own copy of server-action modules; a plain module-level Map would fork per
+// session and tables would vanish between users. Single-process still.
+type PokerTablesStore = Map<string, PokerTableRecord>;
+interface PokerGlobalRegistry {
+  __pokerTables?: PokerTablesStore;
+}
+const globalRegistry = globalThis as typeof globalThis & PokerGlobalRegistry;
+const tables: PokerTablesStore = (globalRegistry.__pokerTables ??= new Map());
+
+function isSeatedAt(record: PokerTableRecord, userId: number): boolean {
+  return record.seatMap.includes(userId) && !record.leftUsers.has(userId);
+}
+
+function seatedCountOf(record: PokerTableRecord): number {
+  let count = 0;
+  for (const id of record.seatMap) {
+    if (id !== null && !record.leftUsers.has(id)) count += 1;
+  }
+  return count;
+}
+
+function clearTurnTimer(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  if (record.turnTimer) clearTimeout(record.turnTimer);
+  record.turnTimer = null;
+  record.turnTimerVersion = null;
+  record.turnDeadlineAt = null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Lobby mutations (join/leave) bump the version without touching game state;
+ * re-key the pending turn timer so it stays valid instead of going stale.
+ */
+function rekeyTurnTimer(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  if (record.turnTimer !== null) record.turnTimerVersion = record.version;
+}
+
+function scheduleTurnTimer(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  clearTurnTimer(record);
+  const state = record.state;
+  if (!state || state.phase !== "betting" || state.toActSeat === null) return;
+  record.turnTimerVersion = record.version;
+  record.turnDeadlineAt = new Date(Date.now() + TURN_TIMEOUT_MS).toISOString();
+  record.turnTimer = setTimeout(() => onTurnTimeout(record), TURN_TIMEOUT_MS);
+}
+
+/** Turn timeout: auto check/fold for whoever is acting (away or disconnected). */
+function onTurnTimeout(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  const scheduledVersion = record.turnTimerVersion;
+  record.turnTimer = null;
+  record.turnTimerVersion = null;
+  record.turnDeadlineAt = null;
+  if (scheduledVersion === null || scheduledVersion !== record.version) return;
+  const state = record.state;
+  if (!state || state.phase !== "betting" || state.toActSeat === null) return;
+  const seat = state.toActSeat;
+  const legal = getLegalActions(state, seat);
+  const result = applyAction(state, seat, legal.canCheck ? "check" : "fold");
+  if (!result.success) return;
+  record.state = result.state;
+  record.version += 1;
+  afterMutation(record);
+}
+
+function scheduleNextHand(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  if (record.nextHandTimer) clearTimeout(record.nextHandTimer);
+  record.nextHandAt = new Date(Date.now() + NEXT_HAND_DELAY_MS).toISOString();
+  record.nextHandTimer = setTimeout(() => onNextHandTimeout(record), NEXT_HAND_DELAY_MS);
+}
+
+function clearNextHandTimer(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  if (record.nextHandTimer) clearTimeout(record.nextHandTimer);
+  record.nextHandTimer = null;
+  record.nextHandAt = null;
+}
+
+/** Next-hand pause over: apply pending joins, drop leavers, deal the next hand. */
+function onNextHandTimeout(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  record.nextHandTimer = null;
+  const current = record.state;
+  if (!current) return;
+  let next = current;
+  for (const pending of record.pendingJoins) {
+    next = {
+      ...next,
+      players: [...next.players, createFreshPlayer(next.players.length, pending.name)],
+    };
+  }
+  record.pendingJoins = [];
+  next = eliminateLeavers(next, record);
+  record.state = advanceState(next);
+  record.nextHandAt = null;
+  record.version += 1;
+  afterMutation(record);
+}
+
+function createFreshPlayer(seatId: PokerSeatId, name: string): PokerPlayerState {
+  return {
+    seatId,
+    name,
+    stack: STARTING_STACK,
+    committed: 0,
+    totalCommitted: 0,
+    holeCards: [],
+    folded: true,
+    allIn: false,
+    hasActed: false,
+    eliminated: false,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Mid-game leavers forfeit their stack and sit out from the next hand on. */
+function eliminateLeavers(state: PokerTableState, record: PokerTableRecord): PokerTableState {
+  let changed = false;
+  const players = state.players.map((player, index) => {
+    const userId = record.seatMap[index];
+    if (userId === null || !record.leftUsers.has(userId) || player.eliminated) return player;
+    changed = true;
+    return {
+      ...player,
+      eliminated: true,
+      folded: true,
+      stack: 0,
+      committed: 0,
+      totalCommitted: 0,
+      holeCards: [],
+    };
+  });
+  return changed ? { ...state, players } : state;
+}
+
+/** Count outright hand winners once per hand (both fold-outs and showdowns). */
+function countHandWins(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  const state = record.state;
+  if (!state || !state.showdown) return;
+  if (state.phase === "betting") return;
+  if (record.countedHandNumber === state.handNumber) return;
+  record.countedHandNumber = state.handNumber;
+  for (const result of state.showdown.results) {
+    if (result.netChange <= 0) continue;
+    const userId = record.seatMap[result.seatId];
+    if (userId === null) continue;
+    record.handsWonThisGame[userId] = (record.handsWonThisGame[userId] ?? 0) + 1;
+  }
+}
+
+/** Fire-and-forget XP/stats award on game completion; never blocks the table. */
+async function awardGameResults(record: PokerTableRecord): Promise<void> {
+  const state = record.state;
+  if (!state || !state.finalPlacements) return;
+  const results: PokerPlacementResult[] = [];
+  for (const placement of state.finalPlacements) {
+    const userId = record.seatMap[placement.seatId];
+    const player = state.players[placement.seatId];
+    if (userId === null || !player) continue;
+    results.push({
+      userId,
+      placement: placement.placement,
+      finalChips: player.stack,
+      handsWon: record.handsWonThisGame[userId] ?? 0,
+    });
+  }
+  try {
+    const config = (await import("@payload-config")).default;
+    const payload = await getPayload({ config });
+    try {
+      await awardPokerGameResult(payload, results);
+    } catch (error) {
+      payload.logger.error(`[poker] Failed to award game results for table ${record.id}: ${error}`);
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Payload unavailable in this runtime; skip awarding.
+  }
+}
+
+/** Shared post-mutation pipeline: timers, hand-win counting, award, push. */
+function afterMutation(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  countHandWins(record);
+  const state = record.state;
+  if (state && state.phase === "game-complete") {
+    clearTurnTimer(record);
+    clearNextHandTimer(record);
+    record.inGame = false;
+    void awardGameResults(record);
+  } else if (state && (state.phase === "hand-complete" || state.phase === "showdown")) {
+    clearTurnTimer(record);
+    scheduleNextHand(record);
+  } else {
+    scheduleTurnTimer(record);
+  }
+  pushTable(record);
+}
+
+function buildSnapshot(record: PokerTableRecord, userId: number): PokerSnapshot {
+  const seatIndex = record.seatMap.indexOf(userId);
+  const seated = seatIndex >= 0 && !record.leftUsers.has(userId);
+  const state = record.state;
+  const inEngine = seated && state !== null && seatIndex < state.players.length;
+  const you = state && inEngine ? buildPrivateView(state, seatIndex) : null;
+  const hostSeat = record.hostUserId !== null ? record.seatMap.indexOf(record.hostUserId) : -1;
+  return {
+    tableId: record.id,
+    name: record.name,
+    version: record.version,
+    turnDeadline: record.turnDeadlineAt,
+    nextHandAt: record.nextHandAt,
+    you,
+    seats: [...record.seatMap],
+    hostSeatId: hostSeat >= 0 ? hostSeat : null,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Push a per-user snapshot to every seated user, then refresh the lobby. */
+function pushTable(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  for (const userId of record.seatMap) {
+    if (userId === null || record.leftUsers.has(userId)) continue;
+    broadcastToUser("poker-state", userId, {
+      tableId: record.id,
+      snapshot: buildSnapshot(record, userId),
+    });
+  }
+  broadcast("poker-tables", { tables: listSummaries() });
+}
+
+function disposeTable(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  clearTurnTimer(record);
+  clearNextHandTimer(record);
+  tables.delete(record.id);
+  broadcast("poker-tables", { tables: listSummaries() });
+}
+
+export function forceExpireTable(tableId: string, payload: Payload): void {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+
+  for (const userId of record.seatMap) {
+    if (userId === null || record.leftUsers.has(userId)) continue;
+
+    broadcastToUser("poker-terminated", userId, {
+      tableId: record.id,
+      reason: "force-ended",
+    });
+
+    try {
+      void notifyUser(payload, {
+        userId,
+        type: "poker:force-ended",
+        title: "Poker game ended",
+        message: "An administrator ended your poker game.",
+        link: "/minigames/poker",
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      payload.logger.error(
+        `[poker] Failed to notify user ${userId} for table ${record.id}: ${error}`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  disposeTable(record);
+}
+
+/** Tables with nobody seated (everyone left) are removed immediately. */
+function scheduleDisposalIfEmpty(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  if (seatedCountOf(record) > 0) return;
+  disposeTable(record);
+}
+
+function promoteHost(record: PokerTableRecord): void {
+  const nextHost = record.seatMap.find((id) => id !== null && !record.leftUsers.has(id));
+  record.hostUserId = nextHost ?? null;
+}
+
+export function createTable(userId: number, displayName: string): string {
+  if (tables.size >= MAX_TABLES) {
+    throw new Error("The maximum number of poker tables exists. Try again later.");
+  }
+  const seatMap: (number | null)[] = [userId];
+  while (seatMap.length < MAX_PLAYERS) seatMap.push(null);
+  const record: PokerTableRecord = {
+    id: crypto.randomUUID(),
+    name: null,
+    version: 1,
+    hostUserId: userId,
+    seatMap,
+    state: null,
+    inGame: false,
+    handsWonThisGame: {},
+    countedHandNumber: null,
+    turnTimer: null,
+    turnTimerVersion: null,
+    turnDeadlineAt: null,
+    nextHandTimer: null,
+    nextHandAt: null,
+    pendingJoins: [],
+    awayUsers: new Set(),
+    leftUsers: new Set(),
+    userNames: new Map([[userId, displayName]]),
+    createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    lastActivityAt: Date.now(),
+  };
+  tables.set(record.id, record);
+  pushTable(record);
+  return record.id;
+}
+
+export function listSummaries(): PokerTableSummary[] {
+  return [...tables.values()].map((record) => ({
+    tableId: record.id,
+    name: record.name,
+    hostName:
+      record.hostUserId !== null
+        ? (record.userNames.get(record.hostUserId) ?? "Unknown")
+        : "Unknown",
+    seatedCount: seatedCountOf(record),
+    maxSeats: MAX_PLAYERS,
+    inGame: record.inGame,
+    createdAt: record.createdAt,
+  }));
+}
+
+export function getSnapshotFor(tableId: string, userId: number): PokerSnapshot {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+  record.lastActivityAt = Date.now();
+  return buildSnapshot(record, userId);
+}
+
+export function joinTable(tableId: string, userId: number, displayName: string): PokerSnapshot {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+  if (record.leftUsers.has(userId)) {
+    throw new Error("You already left this table. You can rejoin when a new game starts.");
+  }
+  if (isSeatedAt(record, userId)) return buildSnapshot(record, userId);
+  for (const other of tables.values()) {
+    if (other.id !== record.id && isSeatedAt(other, userId)) {
+      throw new Error("You are already seated at another table. Leave it first.");
+    }
+  }
+  const slot = record.seatMap.indexOf(null);
+  if (slot < 0) throw new Error("The table is full.");
+  record.seatMap[slot] = userId;
+  record.userNames.set(userId, displayName);
+  record.lastActivityAt = Date.now();
+  if (record.inGame) record.pendingJoins.push({ userId, name: displayName });
+  scheduleDisposalIfEmpty(record);
+  record.version += 1;
+  rekeyTurnTimer(record);
+  pushTable(record);
+  return buildSnapshot(record, userId);
+}
+
+export function leaveTable(tableId: string, userId: number): void {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+  if (!isSeatedAt(record, userId)) throw new Error("You are not seated at this table.");
+  if (record.inGame) {
+    // Mid-game: keep the seat visible, forfeit the stack at the next hand.
+    record.leftUsers.add(userId);
+    record.awayUsers.add(userId);
+  } else {
+    const seatIndex = record.seatMap.indexOf(userId);
+    record.seatMap = record.seatMap.filter((_, index) => index !== seatIndex);
+    while (record.seatMap.length < MAX_PLAYERS) record.seatMap.push(null);
+    record.pendingJoins = record.pendingJoins.filter((pending) => pending.userId !== userId);
+  }
+  if (record.hostUserId === userId) promoteHost(record);
+  record.lastActivityAt = Date.now();
+  record.version += 1;
+  rekeyTurnTimer(record);
+  scheduleDisposalIfEmpty(record);
+  pushTable(record);
+}
+
+export function startGame(tableId: string, userId: number): PokerSnapshot {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+  if (record.hostUserId !== userId) throw new Error("Only the host can start the game.");
+  const seated = record.seatMap.filter(
+    (id): id is number => id !== null && !record.leftUsers.has(id),
+  );
+  if (seated.length < MIN_PLAYERS) {
+    throw new Error("At least two seated players are needed to start the game.");
+  }
+  // Compact the seat map for the new game: leavers are out, order preserved.
+  // Pad a COPY: aliasing `seated` here once spawned phantom "Player null" seats.
+  const padded: (number | null)[] = [...seated];
+  while (padded.length < MAX_PLAYERS) padded.push(null);
+  record.seatMap = padded;
+  record.leftUsers.clear();
+  record.awayUsers.clear();
+  record.pendingJoins = [];
+  record.handsWonThisGame = {};
+  record.countedHandNumber = null;
+  record.nextHandAt = null;
+  if (record.nextHandTimer) {
+    clearTimeout(record.nextHandTimer);
+    record.nextHandTimer = null;
+  }
+  record.state = createTableState(
+    seated.map((id) => ({ name: record.userNames.get(id) ?? `Player ${id}` })),
+    {},
+    undefined,
+  );
+  record.inGame = true;
+  record.lastActivityAt = Date.now();
+  record.version += 1;
+  afterMutation(record);
+  return buildSnapshot(record, userId);
+}
+
+export function renameTable(tableId: string, userId: number, rawName: string): PokerSnapshot {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+  if (record.hostUserId !== userId) throw new Error("Only the host can rename the table.");
+  const name = rawName.trim().replace(/\s+/g, " ").slice(0, MAX_TABLE_NAME_LENGTH).trim();
+  record.name = name.length > 0 ? name : null;
+  record.lastActivityAt = Date.now();
+  record.version += 1;
+  pushTable(record);
+  return buildSnapshot(record, userId);
+}
+
+export function applyPlayerAction(
+  tableId: string,
+  userId: number,
+  kind: PokerActionKind,
+  amount?: number,
+): PokerSnapshot {
+  const record = tables.get(tableId);
+  if (!record) throw new Error("Table not found.");
+  const state = record.state;
+  if (!state) throw new Error("The game has not started yet.");
+  if (record.leftUsers.has(userId)) throw new Error("You are not seated at this table.");
+  const seatIndex = record.seatMap.indexOf(userId);
+  if (seatIndex < 0) throw new Error("You are not seated at this table.");
+  if (seatIndex >= state.players.length) {
+    throw new Error("You will join the game at the next hand.");
+  }
+  const result = applyAction(state, seatIndex, kind, amount);
+  if (!result.success) throw new Error(result.error);
+  record.state = result.state;
+  record.lastActivityAt = Date.now();
+  record.version += 1;
+  afterMutation(record);
+  return buildSnapshot(record, userId);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sweeps tables whose last client interaction is older than TABLE_EXPIRY_MS:
+ * tabs closed without leaving, abandoned waiting rooms, gone games. Safe to
+ * run from several module copies in dev because the store is shared via
+ * globalThis and disposal is idempotent.
+ */
+function sweepExpiredTables(): void {
+  const now = Date.now();
+  let expired = false;
+  for (const record of tables.values()) {
+    if (now - record.lastActivityAt <= TABLE_EXPIRY_MS) continue;
+    disposeTable(record);
+    expired = true;
+  }
+  if (expired) broadcast("poker-tables", { tables: listSummaries() });
+}
+
+const sweepInterval = setInterval(sweepExpiredTables, TABLE_SWEEP_INTERVAL_MS);
+sweepInterval.unref?.();
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/types.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..651f806
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+/**
+ * Shared types for the No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker engine.
+ *
+ * Every type is plain JSON-serializable data: the whole table state can be
+ * stored in a registry Map, sent over SSE, and rebuilt on the client without
+ * any transformation. No Payload, Next.js, or process imports here.
+ */
+
+export type Suit = "s" | "h" | "d" | "c";
+
+/** 2 through 10, then 11 = jack, 12 = queen, 13 = king, 14 = ace. */
+export type Rank = 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14;
+
+export interface Card {
+  readonly rank: Rank;
+  readonly suit: Suit;
+}
+
+/** Seat index into `PokerTableState.players`; seatId === array index. */
+export type PokerSeatId = number;
+
+export type PokerActionKind = "fold" | "check" | "call" | "bet" | "raise";
+
+export type PokerStreet = "preflop" | "flop" | "turn" | "river";
+
+/**
+ * Lifecycle of the table:
+ * - "betting": a hand is in progress and waiting for actions.
+ * - "showdown": the hand ended with a showdown; results are attached.
+ * - "hand-complete": the hand ended without a showdown (fold out); results
+ *   are attached but hole cards stay hidden.
+ * - "game-complete": one player holds every chip; placements are attached.
+ */
+export type PokerPhase = "betting" | "showdown" | "hand-complete" | "game-complete";
+
+export interface PokerTableConfig {
+  readonly startingStack: number;
+  readonly smallBlind: number;
+  readonly bigBlind: number;
+  readonly turnTimeoutMs: number;
+}
+
+export interface PokerPlayerState {
+  readonly seatId: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly name: string;
+  /** Chips not yet committed; deducted immediately as bets are made. */
+  readonly stack: number;
+  /** Chips committed to the current betting street. */
+  readonly committed: number;
+  /** Chips committed to the whole hand so far; drives side-pot layering. */
+  readonly totalCommitted: number;
+  readonly holeCards: readonly Card[];
+  readonly folded: boolean;
+  readonly allIn: boolean;
+  /** Whether the player has acted during the current betting street. */
+  readonly hasActed: boolean;
+  /** Busted players sit out; set when their stack reaches 0. */
+  readonly eliminated: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface PokerTableState {
+  readonly config: PokerTableConfig;
+  /**
+   * Base seed for deck shuffling. Each hand derives its own seed from this
+   * (see deck.ts), so a game is fully reproducible from the seed alone.
+   */
+  readonly seed: number;
+  /** 1-based hand counter; 0 means no hand has started yet. */
+  readonly handNumber: number;
+  readonly players: readonly PokerPlayerState[];
+  readonly buttonSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly smallBlindSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly bigBlindSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly street: PokerStreet;
+  readonly phase: PokerPhase;
+  /** Chips collected from completed streets; live bets live in `committed`. */
+  readonly collectedPot: number;
+  readonly communityCards: readonly Card[];
+  /** Remaining deck, top of deck first. */
+  readonly deck: readonly Card[];
+  /** Highest total commitment on the current street. */
+  readonly currentBet: number;
+  /** Minimum raise increment (size of the last full raise, at least one BB). */
+  readonly minRaise: number;
+  /**
+   * currentBet as of the last full raise (or the street's opening bet level).
+   * A short all-in raise raises currentBet without touching this, which is
+   * what prevents the raise from reopening action for players who acted.
+   */
+  readonly lastFullRaiseBet: number;
+  readonly toActSeat: PokerSeatId | null;
+  readonly showdown: ShowdownOutcome | null;
+  /** Set once the game completes: tournament placement per seat. */
+  readonly finalPlacements: readonly PokerGamePlacement[] | null;
+}
+
+/** Comparison result of a 5-card poker hand, category first then kickers. */
+export interface HandRank {
+  /** 0 = high card through 8 = straight flush (royal is an ace-high SF). */
+  readonly category: number;
+  /** Descending ranks used to break ties within the category. */
+  readonly tiebreakers: readonly number[];
+}
+
+export interface PokerPotResult {
+  /** 0 is the main pot, higher indexes are side pots. */
+  readonly potIndex: number;
+  readonly amount: number;
+  readonly winnerSeats: readonly PokerSeatId[];
+  /** Seats whose hands competed for this pot (useful for side-pot labels). */
+  readonly eligibleSeats: readonly PokerSeatId[];
+}
+
+export interface PokerPlayerShowdownResult {
+  readonly seatId: PokerSeatId;
+  /** Null when the player folded (or the hand ended without a showdown). */
+  readonly handRank: HandRank | null;
+  /** The best 5 cards actually played; null when folded. */
+  readonly bestHand: readonly Card[] | null;
+  readonly chipsWon: number;
+  /** chipsWon minus what the player put in this hand. */
+  readonly netChange: number;
+  /** 1 = best hand at showdown; folded players rank below all live hands. */
+  readonly placement: number;
+}
+
+export interface ShowdownOutcome {
+  readonly pots: readonly PokerPotResult[];
+  /** One entry per player dealt into the hand (eliminated players excluded). */
+  readonly results: readonly PokerPlayerShowdownResult[];
+}
+
+export interface PokerGamePlacement {
+  readonly seatId: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly placement: number;
+}
+
+/** What the acting player is allowed to do right now. */
+export interface PokerLegalActions {
+  readonly seatId: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly canFold: boolean;
+  readonly canCheck: boolean;
+  readonly canCall: boolean;
+  /** Chips needed to call (capped at the player's stack). */
+  readonly callAmount: number;
+  readonly canBet: boolean;
+  /** Total street commitment required to open the betting. */
+  readonly minBetTo: number;
+  readonly maxBetTo: number;
+  readonly canRaise: boolean;
+  /** Total street commitment required for a legal (non-all-in) raise. */
+  readonly minRaiseTo: number;
+  readonly maxRaiseTo: number;
+}
+
+export interface PublicPlayerView {
+  readonly seatId: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly name: string;
+  readonly stack: number;
+  readonly committed: number;
+  readonly totalCommitted: number;
+  readonly folded: boolean;
+  readonly allIn: boolean;
+  readonly hasActed: boolean;
+  readonly eliminated: boolean;
+  /** Populated only for the viewer or for live hands at showdown. */
+  readonly holeCards: readonly Card[] | null;
+  readonly cardCount: number;
+}
+
+export interface PublicTableView {
+  readonly players: readonly PublicPlayerView[];
+  readonly buttonSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly smallBlindSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly bigBlindSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly street: PokerStreet;
+  readonly phase: PokerPhase;
+  /** Collected pot plus live street bets. */
+  readonly potTotal: number;
+  readonly communityCards: readonly Card[];
+  readonly currentBet: number;
+  readonly toActSeat: PokerSeatId | null;
+  readonly handNumber: number;
+  readonly config: PokerTableConfig;
+  readonly showdown: ShowdownOutcome | null;
+  readonly finalPlacements: readonly PokerGamePlacement[] | null;
+}
+
+export interface PrivatePlayerView extends PublicTableView {
+  readonly viewerSeat: PokerSeatId;
+  readonly yourHoleCards: readonly Card[];
+  readonly legalActions: PokerLegalActions;
+  readonly yourTurn: boolean;
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/minigames/poker/views.ts b/src/lib/minigames/poker/views.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c4e7d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/minigames/poker/views.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+/**
+ * Projection helpers that turn the full table state into safe views.
+ *
+ * The full state (including every hole card and the deck order) must never
+ * leave the server; clients only ever receive these views. Hole cards are
+ * hidden except for the viewer's own seats and for live hands at showdown.
+ */
+
+import { getLegalActions } from "./betting";
+import type {
+  Card,
+  PokerSeatId,
+  PokerTableState,
+  PrivatePlayerView,
+  PublicPlayerView,
+  PublicTableView,
+} from "./types";
+
+function sumCommitted(state: PokerTableState): number {
+  return state.players.reduce((total, player) => total + player.committed, 0);
+}
+
+function projectPlayer(
+  state: PokerTableState,
+  player: PokerTableState["players"][number],
+  viewerSeat: PokerSeatId | null,
+): PublicPlayerView {
+  const isViewer = viewerSeat !== null && player.seatId === viewerSeat;
+  const reveal = (state.phase === "showdown" && !player.folded) || isViewer;
+  const holeCards: readonly Card[] | null = reveal && player.holeCards.length > 0
+    ? player.holeCards
+    : null;
+  return {
+    seatId: player.seatId,
+    name: player.name,
+    stack: player.stack,
+    committed: player.committed,
+    totalCommitted: player.totalCommitted,
+    folded: player.folded,
+    allIn: player.allIn,
+    hasActed: player.hasActed,
+    eliminated: player.eliminated,
+    holeCards,
+    cardCount: player.holeCards.length,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Public view of the table. Pass `viewerSeat` to also reveal that seat's own
+ * hole cards; pass null for a fully spectator-safe view.
+ */
+export function buildPublicView(
+  state: PokerTableState,
+  viewerSeat: PokerSeatId | null,
+): PublicTableView {
+  return {
+    players: state.players.map((player) => projectPlayer(state, player, viewerSeat)),
+    buttonSeat: state.buttonSeat,
+    smallBlindSeat: state.smallBlindSeat,
+    bigBlindSeat: state.bigBlindSeat,
+    street: state.street,
+    phase: state.phase,
+    potTotal: state.collectedPot + sumCommitted(state),
+    communityCards: state.communityCards,
+    currentBet: state.currentBet,
+    toActSeat: state.toActSeat,
+    handNumber: state.handNumber,
+    config: state.config,
+    showdown: state.showdown,
+    finalPlacements: state.finalPlacements,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Everything one seated player is allowed to know, including their options. */
+export function buildPrivateView(state: PokerTableState, seatId: PokerSeatId): PrivatePlayerView {
+  const viewer = state.players[seatId];
+  const publicView = buildPublicView(state, seatId);
+  return {
+    ...publicView,
+    viewerSeat: seatId,
+    yourHoleCards: viewer?.holeCards ?? [],
+    legalActions: getLegalActions(state, seatId),
+    yourTurn: state.phase === "betting" && state.toActSeat === seatId,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/tests/int/poker-engine.int.spec.ts b/tests/int/poker-engine.int.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e26b58c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/int/poker-engine.int.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,764 @@
+/**
+ * Pure engine tests for the No-Limit Texas Hold'em rules engine.
+ *
+ * These are intentionally database-free: no Payload, no Next.js imports, no
+ * setup or teardown. Everything runs against the pure modules under
+ * src/lib/minigames/poker with injected, deterministic randomness.
+ */
+
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import {
+  BIG_BLIND,
+  SMALL_BLIND,
+  STARTING_STACK,
+  TURN_TIMEOUT_MS,
+  applyAction,
+  advanceState,
+  buildPrivateView,
+  buildPublicView,
+  compareHandRanks,
+  createDeck,
+  createShuffledDeck,
+  createTableState,
+  evaluateHand,
+  getLegalActions,
+  mulberry32,
+  resolveShowdown,
+  type Card,
+  type PokerActionResult,
+  type PokerSeatId,
+  type PokerTableState,
+  type Rank,
+  type Suit,
+} from "@/lib/minigames/poker";
+
+const c = (rank: Rank, suit: Suit): Card => ({ rank, suit });
+
+function makeTable(
+  names: string[],
+  stacks?: number[],
+  seed = 1,
+): PokerTableState {
+  const players = names.map((name, index) => ({
+    name,
+    stack: stacks?.[index],
+  }));
+  return createTableState(players, {}, mulberry32(seed));
+}
+
+function act(
+  state: PokerTableState,
+  seatId: PokerSeatId,
+  action: Parameters<typeof applyAction>[2],
+  amount?: number,
+): PokerTableState {
+  const result = applyAction(state, seatId, action, amount);
+  if (!result.success) throw new Error(`Unexpected action failure: ${result.error}`);
+  return result.state;
+}
+
+function expectFailure(
+  state: PokerTableState,
+  seatId: PokerSeatId,
+  action: Parameters<typeof applyAction>[2],
+  amount?: number,
+  messagePart?: string,
+): void {
+  const result = applyAction(state, seatId, action, amount);
+  expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+  if (!result.success && messagePart) {
+    expect(result.error).toContain(messagePart);
+  }
+}
+
+/** Minimal hand-built river state for direct showdown resolution tests. */
+function showdownState(
+  players: ReadonlyArray<{ hole: Card[]; committed: number; folded?: boolean }>,
+  community: Card[],
+  buttonSeat = 0,
+): PokerTableState {
+  const totalCommitted = players.reduce((sum, p) => sum + p.committed, 0);
+  return {
+    config: { startingStack: 1000, smallBlind: 10, bigBlind: 20, turnTimeoutMs: TURN_TIMEOUT_MS },
+    seed: 0,
+    handNumber: 1,
+    players: players.map((p, index) => ({
+      seatId: index,
+      name: `P${index}`,
+      stack: 1000 - p.committed,
+      committed: 0,
+      totalCommitted: p.committed,
+      holeCards: p.hole,
+      folded: p.folded ?? false,
+      allIn: false,
+      hasActed: true,
+      eliminated: false,
+    })),
+    buttonSeat,
+    smallBlindSeat: 1,
+    bigBlindSeat: 2,
+    street: "river",
+    phase: "betting",
+    collectedPot: totalCommitted,
+    communityCards: community,
+    deck: [],
+    currentBet: 0,
+    minRaise: 20,
+    lastFullRaiseBet: 0,
+    toActSeat: null,
+    showdown: null,
+    finalPlacements: null,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Deterministic driver: check when free, raise to 100 (5 BB) when raising is
+ * legal, call moderate bets, fold to oversized ones. Chips move fast enough
+ * to finish the game while still spanning many hands.
+ */
+function driveGame(seed: number, playerCount: number): PokerTableState {
+  const totalChips = playerCount * STARTING_STACK;
+  let state = createTableState(
+    Array.from({ length: playerCount }, (_, index) => ({ name: `Player${index + 1}` })),
+    {},
+    mulberry32(seed),
+  );
+  let steps = 0;
+  while (state.phase !== "game-complete") {
+    steps += 1;
+    if (steps > 50000) throw new Error("Game did not terminate within the step budget.");
+    if (state.phase === "betting" && state.toActSeat !== null) {
+      const seat = state.toActSeat;
+      const legal = getLegalActions(state, seat);
+      let result: PokerActionResult;
+      if (legal.canCheck) {
+        result = applyAction(state, seat, "check");
+      } else if (legal.canRaise && state.currentBet < 60) {
+        const target = Math.min(Math.max(legal.minRaiseTo, 100), legal.maxRaiseTo);
+        result = applyAction(state, seat, "raise", target);
+      } else if (legal.canCall && legal.callAmount <= 300) {
+        result = applyAction(state, seat, "call");
+      } else {
+        result = applyAction(state, seat, "fold");
+      }
+      if (!result.success) throw new Error(`Driver action failed: ${result.error}`);
+      state = result.state;
+    } else {
+      state = advanceState(state);
+    }
+    if (state.phase === "showdown" || state.phase === "hand-complete") {
+      const stackSum = state.players.reduce((sum, player) => sum + player.stack, 0);
+      expect(stackSum).toBe(totalChips);
+    }
+  }
+  return state;
+}
+
+describe("deck", () => {
+  it("creates a 52-card deck with no duplicates", () => {
+    const deck = createDeck();
+    expect(deck).toHaveLength(52);
+    const keys = new Set(deck.map((card) => `${card.rank}${card.suit}`));
+    expect(keys.size).toBe(52);
+  });
+
+  it("shuffles deterministically for a given seed and hand number", () => {
+    const a = createShuffledDeck(1234, 1);
+    const b = createShuffledDeck(1234, 1);
+    const otherHand = createShuffledDeck(1234, 2);
+    const otherSeed = createShuffledDeck(1235, 1);
+    expect(a).toEqual(b);
+    expect(a).not.toEqual(otherHand);
+    expect(a).not.toEqual(otherSeed);
+    expect(a).toHaveLength(52);
+    expect(new Set(a.map((card) => `${card.rank}${card.suit}`)).size).toBe(52);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("hand evaluator", () => {
+  it("recognizes a royal flush as an ace-high straight flush", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(14, "s"), c(13, "s"), c(12, "s"), c(11, "s"), c(10, "s"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(8);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([14]);
+  });
+
+  it("recognizes a wheel straight flush as five high", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([c(14, "h"), c(2, "h"), c(3, "h"), c(4, "h"), c(5, "h")]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(8);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([5]);
+  });
+
+  it("finds the best 5 of 7 for a straight flush over a flush and a pair", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(9, "h"), c(10, "h"), c(11, "h"), c(12, "h"), c(13, "h"), c(14, "h"), c(2, "c"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(8);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([14]);
+    expect(evaluation.best).toHaveLength(5);
+  });
+
+  it("scores quads with the best kicker from seven cards", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(9, "c"), c(9, "d"), c(9, "h"), c(9, "s"), c(14, "c"), c(2, "d"), c(3, "c"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(7);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([9, 14]);
+  });
+
+  it("scores a full house choosing the highest trips and pair", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(9, "c"), c(9, "d"), c(9, "h"), c(14, "c"), c(14, "d"), c(5, "d"), c(5, "c"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(6);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([9, 14]);
+  });
+
+  it("picks the best five cards for a flush from seven", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(14, "h"), c(9, "h"), c(5, "h"), c(2, "h"), c(11, "h"), c(3, "c"), c(3, "d"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(5);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([14, 11, 9, 5, 2]);
+  });
+
+  it("finds a straight in seven cards that also contain a pair", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(5, "c"), c(6, "d"), c(7, "h"), c(8, "s"), c(9, "c"), c(9, "d"), c(2, "c"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(4);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([9]);
+  });
+
+  it("scores the wheel as a five-high straight, not ace high", () => {
+    const evaluation = evaluateHand([
+      c(14, "c"), c(2, "d"), c(3, "h"), c(4, "s"), c(5, "c"), c(13, "h"), c(13, "d"),
+    ]);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.category).toBe(4);
+    expect(evaluation.rank.tiebreakers).toEqual([5]);
+  });
+
+  it("breaks two pair ties with the fifth card kicker", () => {
+    const queenKicker = evaluateHand([
+      c(14, "h"), c(14, "d"), c(13, "c"), c(13, "d"), c(12, "h"), c(2, "c"), c(3, "d"),
+    ]);
+    const jackKicker = evaluateHand([
+      c(14, "s"), c(14, "c"), c(13, "h"), c(13, "s"), c(11, "h"), c(2, "d"), c(3, "c"),
+    ]);
+    expect(queenKicker.rank.category).toBe(2);
+    expect(compareHandRanks(queenKicker.rank, jackKicker.rank)).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("breaks one pair ties through all three kickers in order", () => {
+    const queenKicker = evaluateHand([c(9, "h"), c(9, "d"), c(14, "c"), c(13, "c"), c(12, "c")]);
+    const jackKicker = evaluateHand([c(9, "s"), c(9, "c"), c(14, "d"), c(13, "d"), c(11, "d")]);
+    expect(compareHandRanks(queenKicker.rank, jackKicker.rank)).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("ties identical ranks across suits, flushes included", () => {
+    const spades = evaluateHand([c(14, "s"), c(13, "s"), c(12, "s"), c(11, "s"), c(9, "s")]);
+    const hearts = evaluateHand([c(14, "h"), c(13, "h"), c(12, "h"), c(11, "h"), c(9, "h")]);
+    expect(compareHandRanks(spades.rank, hearts.rank)).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("orders categories from high card to straight flush", () => {
+    const high = evaluateHand([c(14, "c"), c(13, "d"), c(11, "h"), c(9, "s"), c(4, "c")]);
+    const pair = evaluateHand([c(4, "h"), c(4, "d"), c(14, "c"), c(13, "d"), c(11, "h")]);
+    const twoPair = evaluateHand([c(14, "h"), c(14, "d"), c(13, "c"), c(13, "d"), c(11, "h")]);
+    const trips = evaluateHand([c(14, "h"), c(14, "d"), c(14, "c"), c(13, "d"), c(11, "h")]);
+    const straight = evaluateHand([c(14, "c"), c(13, "d"), c(12, "h"), c(11, "s"), c(10, "c")]);
+    const flush = evaluateHand([c(14, "c"), c(12, "c"), c(10, "c"), c(8, "c"), c(6, "c")]);
+    const fullHouse = evaluateHand([c(3, "h"), c(3, "d"), c(3, "c"), c(2, "d"), c(2, "h")]);
+    const quads = evaluateHand([c(3, "h"), c(3, "d"), c(3, "c"), c(3, "s"), c(2, "h")]);
+    const straightFlush = evaluateHand([c(9, "c"), c(8, "c"), c(7, "c"), c(6, "c"), c(5, "c")]);
+    const ordered = [high, pair, twoPair, trips, straight, flush, fullHouse, quads, straightFlush];
+    for (let i = 0; i < ordered.length - 1; i += 1) {
+      const lower = ordered[i];
+      const higher = ordered[i + 1];
+      expect(lower && higher && compareHandRanks(lower.rank, higher.rank)).toBeLessThan(0);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("rejects inputs that are not five to seven cards", () => {
+    expect(() => evaluateHand([c(2, "s"), c(3, "s"), c(4, "s"), c(5, "s")])).toThrow();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("table creation and blinds", () => {
+  it("rejects tables outside the 2 to 4 player range", () => {
+    expect(() => createTableState([{ name: "Solo" }], {}, mulberry32(1))).toThrow();
+    expect(() =>
+      createTableState(
+        [{ name: "A" }, { name: "B" }, { name: "C" }, { name: "D" }, { name: "E" }],
+        {},
+        mulberry32(1),
+      ),
+    ).toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it("posts blinds correctly for a 4-handed table and sets UTG action", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C", "D"]);
+    expect(state.handNumber).toBe(1);
+    expect(state.buttonSeat).toBe(0);
+    expect(state.smallBlindSeat).toBe(1);
+    expect(state.bigBlindSeat).toBe(2);
+    expect(state.players[1].committed).toBe(SMALL_BLIND);
+    expect(state.players[2].committed).toBe(BIG_BLIND);
+    expect(state.players[1].stack).toBe(STARTING_STACK - SMALL_BLIND);
+    expect(state.players[2].stack).toBe(STARTING_STACK - BIG_BLIND);
+    expect(state.currentBet).toBe(BIG_BLIND);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(BIG_BLIND);
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(3);
+    expect(state.street).toBe("preflop");
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("betting");
+    expect(state.config.turnTimeoutMs).toBe(TURN_TIMEOUT_MS);
+  });
+
+  it("gives every player two hole cards and keeps the deck consistent", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C", "D"]);
+    for (const player of state.players) {
+      expect(player.holeCards).toHaveLength(2);
+    }
+    // 52 deck minus 8 dealt cards.
+    expect(state.deck).toHaveLength(44);
+    const allCards = [
+      ...state.players.flatMap((player) => player.holeCards),
+      ...state.deck,
+    ];
+    expect(allCards).toHaveLength(52);
+  });
+
+  it("does not mutate the state passed to applyAction", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["A", "B"]);
+    const snapshot = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(state)) as PokerTableState;
+    act(state, 0, "call");
+    expect(JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(state))).toEqual(snapshot);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("heads-up button and blind quirks", () => {
+  it("has the button post the small blind and act first preflop", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["Button", "Other"]);
+    expect(state.buttonSeat).toBe(0);
+    expect(state.smallBlindSeat).toBe(0);
+    expect(state.bigBlindSeat).toBe(1);
+    expect(state.players[0].committed).toBe(SMALL_BLIND);
+    expect(state.players[1].committed).toBe(BIG_BLIND);
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("has the non-button act first and the button act last postflop", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["Button", "Other"]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "call");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(1);
+    state = act(state, 1, "check");
+    expect(state.street).toBe("flop");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(1);
+    state = act(state, 1, "check");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(0);
+    state = act(state, 0, "check");
+    expect(state.street).toBe("turn");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(1);
+    state = act(state, 1, "check");
+    state = act(state, 0, "check");
+    expect(state.street).toBe("river");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(1);
+    // River action resolves to a showdown with the full board.
+    state = act(state, 1, "bet", 50);
+    state = act(state, 0, "call");
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("showdown");
+    expect(state.communityCards).toHaveLength(5);
+    expect(state.showdown).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots[0]?.amount).toBe(140);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("legal betting: min-raise and re-raise", () => {
+  it("enforces minimum bet and minimum raise sizes", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"]);
+    const legal = getLegalActions(state, 0);
+    expect(legal.canRaise).toBe(true);
+    expect(legal.minRaiseTo).toBe(40);
+    expect(legal.maxRaiseTo).toBe(STARTING_STACK);
+
+    expectFailure(state, 0, "raise", 30, "minimum raise");
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 40);
+    expect(state.currentBet).toBe(40);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(20);
+
+    expectFailure(state, 1, "raise", 50, "minimum raise");
+    state = act(state, 1, "raise", 60);
+    expect(state.currentBet).toBe(60);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(20);
+
+    state = act(state, 2, "call");
+    state = act(state, 0, "call");
+    expect(state.street).toBe("flop");
+    expect(state.collectedPot).toBe(180);
+    expect(state.currentBet).toBe(0);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(BIG_BLIND);
+
+    // Postflop: opening bet of 20, then a raise must go to at least 40.
+    const betLegal = getLegalActions(state, 1);
+    expect(betLegal.canBet).toBe(true);
+    expect(betLegal.minBetTo).toBe(20);
+    expectFailure(state, 1, "bet", 15, "minimum bet");
+    state = act(state, 1, "bet", 20);
+    expectFailure(state, 2, "raise", 35, "minimum raise");
+    state = act(state, 2, "raise", 40);
+    state = act(state, 0, "fold");
+    state = act(state, 1, "call");
+    expect(state.street).toBe("turn");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it("rejects illegal actions: out of turn, check facing a bet, bet over a bet, over-shove", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"]);
+    expectFailure(state, 1, "call", undefined, "turn");
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 40);
+    expectFailure(state, 1, "check", undefined, "Cannot check");
+    expectFailure(state, 1, "bet", 80, "raise instead");
+    expectFailure(state, 1, "raise", 2000, "exceeds your stack");
+    expectFailure(state, 9, "fold", undefined, "turn");
+  });
+
+  it("rejects actions once the game is complete", () => {
+    const state = driveGame(42, 2);
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("game-complete");
+    expectFailure(state, 0, "check", undefined, "not accepting actions");
+    expect(advanceState(state)).toEqual(state);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("short all-in raises do not reopen betting", () => {
+  it("lets a short all-in stand but blocks re-raises from players who acted", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"], [1000, 1000, 150]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 100);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(80);
+    state = act(state, 1, "call");
+    // C has 130 behind plus 20 posted: all-in to 150 is a raise of only 50.
+    state = act(state, 2, "raise", 150);
+    expect(state.currentBet).toBe(150);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(80);
+    expect(state.lastFullRaiseBet).toBe(100);
+
+    const legalA = getLegalActions(state, 0);
+    expect(legalA.canRaise).toBe(false);
+    expect(legalA.canCall).toBe(true);
+    expect(legalA.callAmount).toBe(50);
+    expectFailure(state, 0, "raise", 230, "Raising is not available");
+
+    state = act(state, 0, "call");
+    const legalB = getLegalActions(state, 1);
+    expect(legalB.canRaise).toBe(false);
+    // B folds: the two live stacks (A matched 150, C all-in at 150) plus B's
+    // dead 100 go to a single showdown pot of 400.
+    state = act(state, 1, "fold");
+
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("showdown");
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots[0]?.amount).toBe(400);
+    const stackSum = state.players.reduce((sum, player) => sum + player.stack, 0);
+    expect(stackSum).toBe(2150);
+  });
+
+  it("still allows a full-sized all-in raise to reopen the betting", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"], [1000, 1000, 400]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 100);
+    state = act(state, 1, "call");
+    // C all-in to 400: increment 300 over 100, well above the 80 min-raise.
+    state = act(state, 2, "raise", 400);
+    expect(state.currentBet).toBe(400);
+    expect(state.minRaise).toBe(300);
+    expect(state.lastFullRaiseBet).toBe(400);
+    const legalA = getLegalActions(state, 0);
+    expect(legalA.canRaise).toBe(true);
+    expect(legalA.minRaiseTo).toBe(700);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("side pots", () => {
+  it("builds layered side pots with exact chip math on a 3-way all-in", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"], [1000, 500, 200]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 500);
+    state = act(state, 1, "call"); // all-in for 500
+    state = act(state, 2, "call"); // all-in for 200
+
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("showdown");
+    const pots = state.showdown?.pots ?? [];
+    expect(pots).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(pots[0]?.amount).toBe(600);
+    expect([...(pots[0]?.eligibleSeats ?? [])].sort()).toEqual([0, 1, 2]);
+    expect(pots[1]?.amount).toBe(600);
+    expect([...(pots[1]?.eligibleSeats ?? [])].sort()).toEqual([0, 1]);
+
+    // Expected winners derived independently from the evaluator.
+    const evaluations = [0, 1, 2].map((seat) =>
+      evaluateHand([
+        ...(state.players[seat]?.holeCards ?? []),
+        ...state.communityCards,
+      ]),
+    );
+    for (let i = 0; i < evaluations.length - 1; i += 1) {
+      const a = evaluations[i];
+      const b = evaluations[i + 1];
+      expect(a && b && compareHandRanks(a.rank, b.rank)).not.toBe(0);
+    }
+    const bestOf = (seats: number[]): number =>
+      seats.reduce((best, seat) => {
+        const bestEval = evaluations[best];
+        const seatEval = evaluations[seat];
+        if (bestEval && seatEval && compareHandRanks(seatEval.rank, bestEval.rank) > 0) {
+          return seat;
+        }
+        return best;
+      }, seats[0] ?? 0);
+    const mainWinner = bestOf([0, 1, 2]);
+    const sideWinner = bestOf([0, 1]);
+    const expectedWon = [0, 0, 0];
+    expectedWon[mainWinner] += 600;
+    expectedWon[sideWinner] += 600;
+
+    const results = state.showdown?.results ?? [];
+    for (const seat of [0, 1, 2]) {
+      const result = results[seat];
+      expect(result?.chipsWon).toBe(expectedWon[seat]);
+      expect(result?.netChange).toBe(expectedWon[seat] - (state.players[seat]?.totalCommitted ?? 0));
+      expect(result?.handRank).toEqual(evaluations[seat]?.rank);
+    }
+    expect(pots[0]?.winnerSeats).toEqual([mainWinner]);
+    expect(pots[1]?.winnerSeats).toEqual([sideWinner]);
+
+    const stacks = state.players.map((player) => player.stack);
+    expect(stacks[0]).toBe(500 + expectedWon[0]);
+    expect(stacks[1]).toBe(expectedWon[1]);
+    expect(stacks[2]).toBe(expectedWon[2]);
+    expect(stacks.reduce((sum, value) => sum + value, 0)).toBe(1700);
+  });
+
+  it("splits a pot between tied hands and ranks the loser below", () => {
+    const community = [c(2, "h"), c(2, "d"), c(7, "c"), c(9, "s"), c(3, "d")];
+    const state = showdownState(
+      [
+        { hole: [c(14, "h"), c(12, "d")], committed: 100 },
+        { hole: [c(14, "s"), c(12, "c")], committed: 100 },
+        { hole: [c(14, "d"), c(11, "c")], committed: 100 },
+      ],
+      community,
+    );
+    const outcome = resolveShowdown(state);
+    expect(outcome.pots).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(outcome.pots[0]?.amount).toBe(300);
+    expect([...(outcome.pots[0]?.winnerSeats ?? [])].sort()).toEqual([0, 1]);
+    const results = outcome.results;
+    expect(results[0]?.chipsWon).toBe(150);
+    expect(results[1]?.chipsWon).toBe(150);
+    expect(results[2]?.chipsWon).toBe(0);
+    expect(results[0]?.netChange).toBe(50);
+    expect(results[1]?.netChange).toBe(50);
+    expect(results[2]?.netChange).toBe(-100);
+    expect(results[0]?.placement).toBe(1);
+    expect(results[1]?.placement).toBe(1);
+    expect(results[2]?.placement).toBe(3);
+  });
+
+  it("gives the odd chip to the first winner left of the button", () => {
+    const community = [c(2, "h"), c(2, "d"), c(7, "c"), c(9, "s"), c(3, "d")];
+    const state = showdownState(
+      [
+        { hole: [c(14, "h"), c(12, "d")], committed: 100 },
+        { hole: [c(14, "s"), c(12, "c")], committed: 100 },
+        { hole: [c(14, "c"), c(12, "h")], committed: 100 },
+        { hole: [c(14, "d"), c(11, "c")], committed: 100 },
+      ],
+      community,
+      0,
+    );
+    const outcome = resolveShowdown(state);
+    expect(outcome.pots[0]?.amount).toBe(400);
+    // Three-way tie over a 400 pot: 133 each plus one odd chip, paid to the
+    // first winner left of the button (seat 1 when the button is seat 0).
+    expect(outcome.results[1]?.chipsWon).toBe(134);
+    expect(outcome.results[2]?.chipsWon).toBe(133);
+    expect(outcome.results[0]?.chipsWon).toBe(133);
+    expect(outcome.results[3]?.chipsWon).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("compares kickers when one player outkicks a tied pair", () => {
+    const community = [c(2, "h"), c(2, "d"), c(7, "c"), c(9, "s"), c(3, "d")];
+    const state = showdownState(
+      [
+        { hole: [c(14, "h"), c(12, "d")], committed: 100 },
+        { hole: [c(14, "s"), c(11, "c")], committed: 100 },
+      ],
+      community,
+    );
+    const outcome = resolveShowdown(state);
+    expect(outcome.pots[0]?.winnerSeats).toEqual([0]);
+    expect(outcome.results[0]?.chipsWon).toBe(200);
+    expect(outcome.results[1]?.chipsWon).toBe(0);
+    expect(outcome.results[0]?.placement).toBe(1);
+    expect(outcome.results[1]?.placement).toBe(2);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("fold-out and winner-takes-all", () => {
+  it("awards the pot to the last live player when everyone else folds", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "fold");
+    state = act(state, 1, "fold");
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("hand-complete");
+    expect(state.toActSeat).toBeNull();
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots[0]?.amount).toBe(30);
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots[0]?.winnerSeats).toEqual([2]);
+    expect(state.players.map((player) => player.stack)).toEqual([1000, 990, 1010]);
+    const results = state.showdown?.results ?? [];
+    expect(results.map((result) => result.netChange)).toEqual([0, -10, 10]);
+    expect(results.map((result) => result.placement)).toEqual([2, 2, 1]);
+    // Hole cards stay hidden on a fold-out even in the public view.
+    const view = buildPublicView(state, null);
+    expect(view.players.every((player) => player.holeCards === null)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("runs a heads-up all-in to a winner-takes-all showdown", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B"]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 1000);
+    state = act(state, 1, "call");
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("showdown");
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots[0]?.amount).toBe(2000);
+
+    const evaluations = [0, 1].map((seat) =>
+      evaluateHand([
+        ...(state.players[seat]?.holeCards ?? []),
+        ...state.communityCards,
+      ]),
+    );
+    const first = evaluations[0];
+    const second = evaluations[1];
+    expect(first && second && compareHandRanks(first.rank, second.rank)).not.toBe(0);
+    const winner = first && second && compareHandRanks(first.rank, second.rank) > 0 ? 0 : 1;
+    expect(state.showdown?.pots[0]?.winnerSeats).toEqual([winner]);
+    expect(state.players[winner]?.stack).toBe(2000);
+    expect(state.players[1 - winner]?.stack).toBe(0);
+
+    const results = state.showdown?.results ?? [];
+    expect(results[winner]?.netChange).toBe(1000);
+    expect(results[1 - winner]?.netChange).toBe(-1000);
+    expect(results[winner]?.placement).toBe(1);
+
+    // The busted player is eliminated and the game ends on the next advance.
+    state = advanceState(state);
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("game-complete");
+    expect(state.finalPlacements).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(state.finalPlacements?.find((p) => p.seatId === winner)?.placement).toBe(1);
+    expect(state.finalPlacements?.find((p) => p.seatId === 1 - winner)?.placement).toBe(2);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("views", () => {
+  it("hides hole cards in public views except the viewer's own", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"]);
+    const spectator = buildPublicView(state, null);
+    expect(spectator.players.every((player) => player.holeCards === null)).toBe(true);
+    expect(spectator.players.every((player) => player.cardCount === 2)).toBe(true);
+
+    const seat0 = buildPublicView(state, 0);
+    expect(seat0.players[0]?.holeCards).toEqual(state.players[0]?.holeCards);
+    expect(seat0.players[1]?.holeCards).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("exposes legal actions and turn state in the private view", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"]);
+    const view = buildPrivateView(state, 0);
+    expect(view.viewerSeat).toBe(0);
+    expect(view.yourHoleCards).toEqual(state.players[0]?.holeCards);
+    expect(view.yourTurn).toBe(true);
+    expect(view.legalActions.canCall).toBe(true);
+    // Seat 0 is the button and UTG preflop in a 3-handed game: no blind
+    // posted yet, so a full call costs the big blind.
+    expect(view.legalActions.callAmount).toBe(BIG_BLIND);
+    expect(view.legalActions.canRaise).toBe(true);
+
+    const notTurn = buildPrivateView(state, 1);
+    expect(notTurn.yourTurn).toBe(false);
+    expect(notTurn.legalActions.canCheck).toBe(false);
+    expect(notTurn.legalActions.canFold).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("reveals live hands to everyone at showdown", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B"]);
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 1000);
+    state = act(state, 1, "call");
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("showdown");
+    const view = buildPublicView(state, null);
+    for (const player of view.players) {
+      expect(player.holeCards).toEqual(state.players[player.seatId]?.holeCards);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("state progression", () => {
+  it("is a no-op while a betting round is still open", () => {
+    const state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"]);
+    expect(advanceState(state)).toEqual(state);
+  });
+
+  it("starts the next hand with the button moved and busted players out", () => {
+    let state = makeTable(["A", "B", "C"], [1000, 1000, 30]);
+    // C posted the big blind from a 30 stack and has only 10 behind, so the
+    // 500 raise puts them all-in for 30 total. A and B still have live stacks
+    // and continue betting against each other on later streets.
+    state = act(state, 0, "raise", 500);
+    state = act(state, 1, "call");
+    state = act(state, 2, "call");
+    expect(state.street).toBe("flop");
+    state = act(state, 1, "fold");
+    state = act(state, 0, "check");
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("showdown");
+
+    const bustedAfterHand = state.players.filter((player) => player.stack <= 0).length;
+    state = advanceState(state);
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("betting");
+    expect(state.handNumber).toBe(2);
+    expect(state.players.filter((player) => player.eliminated)).toHaveLength(bustedAfterHand);
+    const eligible = state.players.filter((player) => !player.eliminated);
+    for (const seat of [state.buttonSeat, state.smallBlindSeat, state.bigBlindSeat]) {
+      expect(eligible.some((player) => player.seatId === seat)).toBe(true);
+    }
+    if (eligible.length === 2) {
+      expect(state.smallBlindSeat).toBe(state.buttonSeat);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("full scripted games", () => {
+  it("plays a 4-handed game to a single winner with exact chip conservation", () => {
+    const state = driveGame(42, 4);
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("game-complete");
+    expect(state.finalPlacements).not.toBeNull();
+    const stacks = state.players.map((player) => player.stack);
+    expect(stacks.reduce((sum, value) => sum + value, 0)).toBe(4000);
+    const winners = state.players.filter((player) => player.stack > 0);
+    expect(winners).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(winners[0]?.stack).toBe(4000);
+    const winnerPlacement = state.finalPlacements?.find(
+      (p) => p.seatId === winners[0]?.seatId,
+    );
+    expect(winnerPlacement?.placement).toBe(1);
+    const placements = (state.finalPlacements ?? []).map((p) => p.placement);
+    expect(placements[0]).toBe(1);
+    expect(state.handNumber).toBeGreaterThan(1);
+  });
+
+  it("plays a 3-handed game to a single winner from a different seed", () => {
+    const state = driveGame(1337, 3);
+    expect(state.phase).toBe("game-complete");
+    const stacks = state.players.map((player) => player.stack);
+    expect(stacks.reduce((sum, value) => sum + value, 0)).toBe(3000);
+    const winners = state.players.filter((player) => player.stack > 0);
+    expect(winners).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(winners[0]?.stack).toBe(3000);
+    expect(state.finalPlacements).toHaveLength(3);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/int/poker-hand-hint.int.spec.ts b/tests/int/poker-hand-hint.int.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50eea4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/int/poker-hand-hint.int.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { describeHandStrength } from "@/lib/minigames/poker/handHint";
+import type { Card, Rank, Suit } from "@/lib/minigames/poker";
+
+const c = (rank: Rank, suit: Suit): Card => ({ rank, suit });
+
+describe("poker hand strength hints", () => {
+  it("describes a preflop pair", () => {
+    expect(describeHandStrength([c(13, "s"), c(13, "h")], [])).toEqual({
+      label: "Pair of Kings",
+      bestCardKeys: ["13-s", "13-h"],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("describes a preflop high card", () => {
+    expect(describeHandStrength([c(14, "s"), c(9, "h")], [])).toEqual({
+      label: "High card Ace",
+      bestCardKeys: ["14-s"],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("describes flop two pair and returns the exact best cards", () => {
+    const hint = describeHandStrength([c(13, "s"), c(9, "h")], [c(13, "d"), c(9, "c"), c(2, "s")]);
+
+    expect(hint?.label).toBe("Two pair, Kings and Nines");
+    expect(new Set(hint?.bestCardKeys)).toEqual(new Set(["13-s", "9-h", "13-d", "9-c", "2-s"]));
+  });
+
+  it("describes a river straight that uses one hole card", () => {
+    const hint = describeHandStrength(
+      [c(6, "s"), c(14, "h")],
+      [c(2, "c"), c(3, "d"), c(4, "h"), c(5, "s"), c(13, "c")],
+    );
+
+    expect(hint?.label).toBe("Straight, Six high");
+    expect(new Set(hint?.bestCardKeys)).toEqual(new Set(["6-s", "2-c", "3-d", "4-h", "5-s"]));
+  });
+
+  it("labels a wheel straight as five high", () => {
+    expect(
+      describeHandStrength(
+        [c(14, "s"), c(13, "h")],
+        [c(2, "c"), c(3, "d"), c(4, "h"), c(5, "s"), c(9, "c")],
+      )?.label,
+    ).toBe("Straight, Five high");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/int/poker-stats.int.spec.ts b/tests/int/poker-stats.int.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5455bdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/int/poker-stats.int.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import {
+  computePokerStatsDelta,
+  readPokerStats,
+  xpForPlacement,
+  type PokerPlacementResult,
+  type PokerStats,
+} from "@/lib/minigames/poker/stats";
+
+function result(overrides: Partial<PokerPlacementResult> = {}): PokerPlacementResult {
+  return { userId: 1, placement: 1, finalChips: 5000, handsWon: 3, ...overrides };
+}
+
+function current(overrides: Partial<PokerStats> = {}): PokerStats {
+  return {
+    gamesPlayed: 0,
+    wins: 0,
+    secondPlaces: 0,
+    thirdPlaces: 0,
+    fourthPlaces: 0,
+    handsWon: 0,
+    bestScore: 0,
+    xpEarned: 0,
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+describe("xpForPlacement", () => {
+  it("scales 1st place at 40x the player count", () => {
+    expect(xpForPlacement(1, 2)).toBe(80);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(1, 3)).toBe(120);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(1, 4)).toBe(160);
+  });
+
+  it("scales 2nd place at 20x the player count", () => {
+    expect(xpForPlacement(2, 2)).toBe(40);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(2, 3)).toBe(60);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(2, 4)).toBe(80);
+  });
+
+  it("scales 3rd place at 10x the player count", () => {
+    expect(xpForPlacement(3, 2)).toBe(20);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(3, 3)).toBe(30);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(3, 4)).toBe(40);
+  });
+
+  it("scales 4th place at 5x the player count", () => {
+    expect(xpForPlacement(4, 2)).toBe(10);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(4, 3)).toBe(15);
+    expect(xpForPlacement(4, 4)).toBe(20);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("computePokerStatsDelta", () => {
+  it("increments gamesPlayed by exactly one", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(current({ gamesPlayed: 7 }), result(), 4);
+    expect(next.gamesPlayed).toBe(8);
+  });
+
+  it("increments the wins counter for 1st place only", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(current({ wins: 2 }), result({ placement: 1 }), 4);
+    expect(next.wins).toBe(3);
+    expect(next.secondPlaces).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.thirdPlaces).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.fourthPlaces).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("increments the secondPlaces counter for 2nd place only", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ secondPlaces: 1 }),
+      result({ placement: 2 }),
+      4,
+    );
+    expect(next.secondPlaces).toBe(2);
+    expect(next.wins).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.thirdPlaces).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.fourthPlaces).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("increments the thirdPlaces counter for 3rd place only", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ thirdPlaces: 4 }),
+      result({ placement: 3 }),
+      4,
+    );
+    expect(next.thirdPlaces).toBe(5);
+    expect(next.wins).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.secondPlaces).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.fourthPlaces).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("increments the fourthPlaces counter for 4th place only", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ fourthPlaces: 1 }),
+      result({ placement: 4 }),
+      4,
+    );
+    expect(next.fourthPlaces).toBe(2);
+    expect(next.wins).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.secondPlaces).toBe(0);
+    expect(next.thirdPlaces).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("accumulates handsWon on top of the existing total", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ handsWon: 10 }),
+      result({ handsWon: 4 }),
+      4,
+    );
+    expect(next.handsWon).toBe(14);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps bestScore when the final chip total is lower", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ bestScore: 9000 }),
+      result({ finalChips: 5000 }),
+      4,
+    );
+    expect(next.bestScore).toBe(9000);
+  });
+
+  it("raises bestScore when the final chip total is higher", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ bestScore: 3000 }),
+      result({ finalChips: 7500 }),
+      4,
+    );
+    expect(next.bestScore).toBe(7500);
+  });
+
+  it("adds the placement XP to the existing xpEarned total", () => {
+    const next = computePokerStatsDelta(
+      current({ xpEarned: 100 }),
+      result({ placement: 2 }),
+      3,
+    );
+    expect(next.xpEarned).toBe(160);
+  });
+
+  it("does not mutate the current stats object", () => {
+    const before = current({ gamesPlayed: 1, wins: 1, xpEarned: 160 });
+    computePokerStatsDelta(before, result(), 4);
+    expect(before).toEqual(current({ gamesPlayed: 1, wins: 1, xpEarned: 160 }));
+  });
+});
+
+describe("readPokerStats", () => {
+  it("reads poker stats from a profile that also carries sibling game stats", () => {
+    const profile = {
+      progression: {
+        minigames: {
+          flappyBird: { gamesPlayed: 12, xpEarned: 40 },
+          poker: { gamesPlayed: 3, wins: 1, xpEarned: 200 },
+        },
+      },
+    };
+    expect(readPokerStats(profile)).toEqual(
+      current({ gamesPlayed: 3, wins: 1, xpEarned: 200 }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("returns all zeros when the poker group is missing", () => {
+    expect(readPokerStats({ progression: { minigames: {} } })).toEqual(current());
+  });
+
+  it("returns all zeros for a nullish profile", () => {
+    expect(readPokerStats(undefined)).toEqual(current());
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/int/poker-tables.int.spec.ts b/tests/int/poker-tables.int.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ba6d75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/int/poker-tables.int.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { createTable, joinTable, startGame } from "@/lib/minigames/poker/tables";
+
+/**
+ * Regression tests for the registry's game-start path. Guards against the
+ * seat-map aliasing bug that once spawned phantom "Player null" engine seats
+ * when a table started with fewer than four players.
+ */
+
+describe("poker table registry: startGame", () => {
+  it("starts a heads-up game with exactly the two seated players", () => {
+    const tableId = createTable(9001, "Host");
+    joinTable(tableId, 9002, "Guest");
+
+    const snapshot = startGame(tableId, 9001);
+
+    const seatedIds = snapshot.seats.filter((id) => id !== null);
+    expect(seatedIds).toHaveLength(2);
+    const players = snapshot.you?.players ?? [];
+    expect(players).toHaveLength(2);
+    for (const player of players) {
+      expect(player.name).not.toBe("Player null");
+      expect(player.name.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+      expect(player.eliminated).toBe(false);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("starts a three-handed game with exactly the three seated players", () => {
+    const tableId = createTable(9101, "Host");
+    joinTable(tableId, 9102, "Second");
+    joinTable(tableId, 9103, "Third");
+
+    const snapshot = startGame(tableId, 9101);
+
+    const seatedIds = snapshot.seats.filter((id) => id !== null);
+    expect(seatedIds).toHaveLength(3);
+    const players = snapshot.you?.players ?? [];
+    expect(players).toHaveLength(3);
+    const names = players.map((player) => player.name);
+    expect(names).not.toContain("Player null");
+    expect(new Set(names).size).toBe(3);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps every engine player backed by a real seated user", () => {
+    const tableId = createTable(9201, "Host");
+    joinTable(tableId, 9202, "Second");
+
+    const snapshot = startGame(tableId, 9201);
+    const players = snapshot.you?.players ?? [];
+
+    for (const player of players) {
+      const userId = snapshot.seats[player.seatId];
+      expect(userId).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(typeof userId).toBe("number");
+    }
+  });
+});