diff --git a/panel/src/lib/useGameRoom.ts b/panel/src/lib/useGameRoom.ts
index 1941ebe..b9aef8e 100644
--- a/panel/src/lib/useGameRoom.ts
+++ b/panel/src/lib/useGameRoom.ts
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ export function useGameRoom(roomId: string, userId: string, role?: string, prefe
                     break;
 
                 case "GAME_STATE":
+                    // Authoritative player view — sent directly to this player
                     setState(prev => ({
                         ...prev,
                         gameState: msg.state,
@@ -68,11 +69,18 @@ export function useGameRoom(roomId: string, userId: string, role?: string, prefe
                     break;
 
                 case "GAME_STARTED":
-                    setState(prev => ({ ...prev, gameState: msg.state, roomStatus: "playing" }));
+                    // Broadcast with spectator view — only use for state if we're a spectator
+                    // (players get their own GAME_STATE via direct send)
+                    setState(prev => ({
+                        ...prev,
+                        gameState: prev.isSpectator ? msg.state : prev.gameState,
+                        roomStatus: "playing",
+                    }));
                     break;
 
                 case "GAME_UPDATE":
-                    setState(prev => ({ ...prev, gameState: msg.state }));
+                    // Broadcast with spectator view — only update state for spectators
+                    setState(prev => prev.isSpectator ? { ...prev, gameState: msg.state } : prev);
                     break;
 
                 case "PLAYER_JOINED":