diff --git a/api/src/games/GameServer.ts b/api/src/games/GameServer.ts
index d507cef..1689b09 100644
--- a/api/src/games/GameServer.ts
+++ b/api/src/games/GameServer.ts
@@ -395,6 +395,18 @@ export class GameServer {
     ): Promise<void> {
         const room = this.roomManager.getRoom(roomId);
         if (!room || room.betsPending) return;
+
+        // Games with getActionCost handle per-round betting themselves (e.g., blackjack).
+        // Skip the upfront deduction — just start the game.
+        const plugin = gameRegistry.get(room.gameSlug);
+        if (plugin?.getActionCost) {
+            const startResult = this.roomManager.startGame(roomId);
+            if (!startResult.ok) {
+                triggeringWs.send(JSON.stringify({ type: "ERROR", message: startResult.error }));
+            }
+            return;
+        }
+
         room.betsPending = true;
 
         const uniquePlayers = [...new Set(playerIds)];