diff --git a/src/components/GameTable.tsx b/src/components/GameTable.tsx
index 6974203..f91178e 100644
--- a/src/components/GameTable.tsx
+++ b/src/components/GameTable.tsx
@@ -57,50 +57,27 @@ export function GameTable({
   const mode = useGameStore((s) => s.mode);
   const seatPlayers = useGameStore((s) => s.seatPlayers);
   const { t } = useI18n();
-
-  // While waiting for the first server state broadcast, show a spinner instead
-  // of an empty green felt — prevents the "3 colored dots / stuck table" bug.
-  const connecting = mode === "online" && seatPlayers.length === 0;
-  if (connecting) {
-    return (
-      <main className="persian-pattern relative h-dvh w-full flex items-center justify-center">
-        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-4">
-          <motion.div
-            animate={{ rotate: 360 }}
-            transition={{ repeat: Infinity, duration: 1.5, ease: "linear" }}
-            className="size-14 border-4 border-gold-400/30 border-t-gold-400 rounded-full"
-          />
-          <p className="gold-text font-bold text-lg">{t("mm.searching")}</p>
-        </div>
-      </main>
-    );
-  }
+  // All hooks must be declared unconditionally before any early return.
   const [askFf, setAskFf] = useState(false);
-
   const sfx = useSoundStore((s) => s.sfx);
   const music = useSoundStore((s) => s.music);
   const toggleAll = useSoundStore((s) => s.toggleAll);
-  const muted = !sfx && !music;
-
-  const exit = onExit ?? reset;
   const vw = useViewportWidth();
-  // Pull the played-card pile inward on narrow screens so it clears the side stacks.
-  const trickScale = vw < 400 ? 0.82 : 1;
-  // Smaller played cards on phones so the center pile stays clear of the side seats.
-  const trickCardSize: "sm" | "md" = vw < 480 ? "sm" : "md";
+  const playHuman = useGameStore((s) => s.playHuman);
+  const chooseTrump = useGameStore((s) => s.chooseTrump);
   const { phase, players, hakem, trump, turn, currentTrick } = game;
-
   const legalMovesList = useMemo(
     () => (phase === "playing" && turn === 0 ? legalMoves(game, 0) : []),
     [phase, turn, game]
   );
   const legalIds = new Set(legalMovesList.map((c) => c.id));
 
-  // Keyboard shortcuts (desktop): 1–9 / 0 play the Nth playable card in hand
-  // order, Space/Enter play the first playable card, M mutes, F forfeits,
-  // Esc/Q quits. A floating hint lists them.
-  const playHuman = useGameStore((s) => s.playHuman);
-  const chooseTrump = useGameStore((s) => s.chooseTrump);
+  // Derived (non-hook) values — safe to compute after all hooks.
+  const muted = !sfx && !music;
+  const exit = onExit ?? reset;
+  const trickScale = vw < 400 ? 0.82 : 1;
+  const trickCardSize: "sm" | "md" = vw < 480 ? "sm" : "md";
+
   useEffect(() => {
     const onKey = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
       const el = e.target as HTMLElement | null;
@@ -133,6 +110,23 @@ export function GameTable({
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [phase, turn, hakem, game.players, legalMovesList]);
 
+  // Connecting overlay: all hooks are already called above, so this early
+  // return is safe and won't cause a "more/fewer hooks" error on re-render.
+  if (mode === "online" && seatPlayers.length === 0) {
+    return (
+      <main className="persian-pattern relative h-dvh w-full flex items-center justify-center">
+        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-4">
+          <motion.div
+            animate={{ rotate: 360 }}
+            transition={{ repeat: Infinity, duration: 1.5, ease: "linear" }}
+            className="size-14 border-4 border-gold-400/30 border-t-gold-400 rounded-full"
+          />
+          <p className="gold-text font-bold text-lg">{t("mm.searching")}</p>
+        </div>
+      </main>
+    );
+  }
+
   return (
     <main className="persian-pattern relative h-dvh w-full overflow-hidden">
       {/* Top HUD */}