diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/Provider.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/Provider.tsx
index 55777ada..e7274b97 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/Provider.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/Provider.tsx
@@ -404,13 +404,11 @@ export function CardSortingProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
       return
     }
 
-    // Prevent multiple simultaneous START_GAME moves when multiple clients
-    // click "Play Again" at the same time. Only allow if we're NOT already starting/in a game.
-    // Also check if we just started a game (within 500ms) to prevent rapid double-sends.
+    // Prevent rapid double-sends within 500ms to avoid duplicate game starts
     const now = Date.now()
     const justStarted = state.gameStartTime && now - state.gameStartTime < 500
 
-    if (state.gamePhase === 'playing' || justStarted) {
+    if (justStarted) {
       return
     }
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/components/GameComponent.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/components/GameComponent.tsx
index 7bea92a7..46851757 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/components/GameComponent.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/card-sorting/components/GameComponent.tsx
@@ -41,16 +41,7 @@ export function GameComponent() {
           : undefined
       }
       onNewGame={() => {
-        // If currently playing, go to setup first to clean up, then start immediately
-        if (state.gamePhase === 'playing') {
-          goToSetup()
-          // Use a small delay to let setup phase render, then start new game
-          setTimeout(() => {
-            startGame()
-          }, 100)
-        } else {
-          startGame()
-        }
+        startGame()
       }}
     >
       <StandardGameLayout>