diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Provider.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Provider.tsx
index 24bf82dc..f5a587f5 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Provider.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Provider.tsx
@@ -38,7 +38,12 @@ interface KnowYourWorldContextValue {
   // Cursor position sharing (for multiplayer)
   otherPlayerCursors: Record<
     string,
-    { x: number; y: number; userId: string; hoveredRegionId: string | null } | null
+    {
+      x: number
+      y: number
+      userId: string
+      hoveredRegionId: string | null
+    } | null
   >
   sendCursorUpdate: (
     playerId: string,
@@ -98,7 +103,7 @@ export function KnowYourWorldProvider({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode
       : ['huge', 'large', 'medium'] // Default to most regions
 
     // Validate assistanceLevel
-    const validAssistanceLevels = ['guided', 'helpful', 'standard', 'none']
+    const validAssistanceLevels = ['learning', 'guided', 'helpful', 'standard', 'none']
     const rawAssistance = gameConfig?.assistanceLevel
     const assistanceLevel: AssistanceLevel =
       typeof rawAssistance === 'string' && validAssistanceLevels.includes(rawAssistance)
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Validator.ts b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Validator.ts
index bb84a1ea..bb025961 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Validator.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/Validator.ts
@@ -127,7 +127,10 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
     data: any
   ): ValidationResult {
     if (state.gamePhase !== 'playing') {
-      return { valid: false, error: 'Can only click regions during playing phase' }
+      return {
+        valid: false,
+        error: 'Can only click regions during playing phase',
+      }
     }
 
     if (!state.currentPrompt) {
@@ -351,7 +354,10 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
     includeSizes: RegionSize[]
   ): ValidationResult {
     if (state.gamePhase !== 'setup') {
-      return { valid: false, error: 'Can only change region sizes during setup' }
+      return {
+        valid: false,
+        error: 'Can only change region sizes during setup',
+      }
     }
 
     const newState: KnowYourWorldState = {
@@ -367,7 +373,10 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
     assistanceLevel: AssistanceLevel
   ): ValidationResult {
     if (state.gamePhase !== 'setup') {
-      return { valid: false, error: 'Can only change assistance level during setup' }
+      return {
+        valid: false,
+        error: 'Can only change assistance level during setup',
+      }
     }
 
     const newState: KnowYourWorldState = {
@@ -448,7 +457,10 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
       // Check if this session has already voted
       const existingVotes = state.giveUpVotes ?? []
       if (existingVotes.includes(userId)) {
-        return { valid: false, error: 'Your session has already voted to give up' }
+        return {
+          valid: false,
+          error: 'Your session has already voted to give up',
+        }
       }
 
       // Add this session's vote
@@ -498,10 +510,12 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
       : [...existingGivenUp, region.id]
 
     // Determine re-ask position based on assistance level
-    // Guided/Helpful: re-ask soon (after 2-3 regions) to reinforce learning
+    // Learning/Guided/Helpful: re-ask soon (after 2-3 regions) to reinforce learning
     // Standard/None: re-ask at the end
     const isHighAssistance =
-      state.assistanceLevel === 'guided' || state.assistanceLevel === 'helpful'
+      state.assistanceLevel === 'learning' ||
+      state.assistanceLevel === 'guided' ||
+      state.assistanceLevel === 'helpful'
     const reaskDelay = isHighAssistance ? 3 : state.regionsToFind.length
 
     // Build new regions queue: take next regions, then insert given-up region at appropriate position
@@ -548,7 +562,10 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
     timestamp: number
   ): ValidationResult {
     if (state.gamePhase !== 'playing') {
-      return { valid: false, error: 'Can only request hints during playing phase' }
+      return {
+        valid: false,
+        error: 'Can only request hints during playing phase',
+      }
     }
 
     if (!state.currentPrompt) {
@@ -588,7 +605,13 @@ export class KnowYourWorldValidator
       : ['huge', 'large', 'medium'] // Default
 
     // Validate assistanceLevel
-    const validAssistanceLevels: AssistanceLevel[] = ['guided', 'helpful', 'standard', 'none']
+    const validAssistanceLevels: AssistanceLevel[] = [
+      'learning',
+      'guided',
+      'helpful',
+      'standard',
+      'none',
+    ]
     const rawAssistance = typedConfig?.assistanceLevel
     const assistanceLevel: AssistanceLevel = validAssistanceLevels.includes(
       rawAssistance as AssistanceLevel
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/GameInfoPanel.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/GameInfoPanel.tsx
index f93a1932..e24c9ee8 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/GameInfoPanel.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/GameInfoPanel.tsx
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ interface GameInfoPanelProps {
   foundCount: number
   totalRegions: number
   progress: number
+  /** Callback when hints are unlocked (after name confirmation) */
+  onHintsUnlock?: () => void
 }
 
 export function GameInfoPanel({
@@ -36,6 +38,7 @@ export function GameInfoPanel({
   foundCount,
   totalRegions,
   progress,
+  onHintsUnlock,
 }: GameInfoPanelProps) {
   // Get flag emoji for world map countries (not USA states)
   const flagEmoji =
@@ -117,11 +120,12 @@ export function GameInfoPanel({
     if (requiresNameConfirmation > 0 && currentRegionName && nameInput.length > 0) {
       const requiredPart = currentRegionName.slice(0, requiresNameConfirmation).toLowerCase()
       const inputPart = nameInput.toLowerCase()
-      if (inputPart === requiredPart) {
+      if (inputPart === requiredPart && !nameConfirmed) {
         setNameConfirmed(true)
+        onHintsUnlock?.()
       }
     }
-  }, [nameInput, currentRegionName, requiresNameConfirmation])
+  }, [nameInput, currentRegionName, requiresNameConfirmation, nameConfirmed, onHintsUnlock])
 
   // Determine if hints are available based on difficulty config
   const hintsAvailable = useMemo(() => {
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/MapRenderer.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/MapRenderer.tsx
index cfe43382..ff27f426 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/MapRenderer.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/MapRenderer.tsx
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ interface MapRendererProps {
   mapData: MapData
   regionsFound: string[]
   currentPrompt: string | null
-  assistanceLevel: 'guided' | 'helpful' | 'standard' | 'none' // Controls gameplay features (hints, hot/cold)
+  assistanceLevel: 'learning' | 'guided' | 'helpful' | 'standard' | 'none' // Controls gameplay features (hints, hot/cold)
   selectedMap: 'world' | 'usa' // Map ID for calculating excluded regions
   selectedContinent: string // Continent ID for calculating excluded regions
   onRegionClick: (regionId: string, regionName: string) => void
@@ -251,7 +251,12 @@ interface MapRendererProps {
   localPlayerId?: string // The local player's ID (to filter out our own cursor from others)
   otherPlayerCursors?: Record<
     string,
-    { x: number; y: number; userId: string; hoveredRegionId: string | null } | null
+    {
+      x: number
+      y: number
+      userId: string
+      hoveredRegionId: string | null
+    } | null
   >
   onCursorUpdate?: (
     cursorPosition: { x: number; y: number } | null,
@@ -263,6 +268,8 @@ interface MapRendererProps {
   viewerId?: string // This viewer's userId (to check if local session has voted)
   // Member players mapping (userId -> players) for cursor emoji display
   memberPlayers?: Record<string, Array<{ id: string; name: string; emoji: string; color: string }>>
+  /** When true, hints are locked (e.g., user hasn't typed required name confirmation yet) */
+  hintsLocked?: boolean
 }
 
 /**
@@ -328,6 +335,7 @@ export function MapRenderer({
   activeUserIds = [],
   viewerId,
   memberPlayers = {},
+  hintsLocked = false,
 }: MapRendererProps) {
   // Extract force tuning parameters with defaults
   const {
@@ -440,8 +448,14 @@ export function MapRenderer({
       initialZoom: 10,
     })
 
-  const [svgDimensions, setSvgDimensions] = useState({ width: 1000, height: 500 })
-  const [cursorPosition, setCursorPosition] = useState<{ x: number; y: number } | null>(null)
+  const [svgDimensions, setSvgDimensions] = useState({
+    width: 1000,
+    height: 500,
+  })
+  const [cursorPosition, setCursorPosition] = useState<{
+    x: number
+    y: number
+  } | null>(null)
   const [showMagnifier, setShowMagnifier] = useState(false)
   const [targetOpacity, setTargetOpacity] = useState(0)
   const [targetTop, setTargetTop] = useState(20)
@@ -754,12 +768,13 @@ export function MapRenderer({
   hotColdEnabledRef.current = effectiveHotColdEnabled
 
   // Handle hint bubble and auto-speak when the prompt changes (new region to find)
-  // Only runs when currentPrompt changes, not when settings change
+  // Also re-runs when hintsLocked changes (e.g., user unlocked hints by typing name)
   useEffect(() => {
     const isNewRegion = prevPromptRef.current !== null && prevPromptRef.current !== currentPrompt
     prevPromptRef.current = currentPrompt
 
-    if (autoHintRef.current && hasHint) {
+    // Don't auto-show hints when locked (e.g., waiting for name confirmation)
+    if (autoHintRef.current && hasHint && !hintsLocked) {
       setShowHintBubble(true)
       // If region changed and both auto-hint and auto-speak are enabled, speak immediately
       // This handles the case where the bubble was already open
@@ -769,7 +784,15 @@ export function MapRenderer({
     } else {
       setShowHintBubble(false)
     }
-  }, [currentPrompt, hasHint, currentRegionName, hintText, isSpeechSupported, speakWithRegionName])
+  }, [
+    currentPrompt,
+    hasHint,
+    currentRegionName,
+    hintText,
+    isSpeechSupported,
+    speakWithRegionName,
+    hintsLocked,
+  ])
 
   // Hot/cold audio feedback hook
   // Only enabled if: 1) assistance level allows it, 2) user toggle is on, 3) not touch device
@@ -865,7 +888,10 @@ export function MapRenderer({
     if (pointerLocked && cursorPositionRef.current && containerRef.current && svgRef.current) {
       const { x: cursorX, y: cursorY } = cursorPositionRef.current
 
-      console.log('[CLICK] Pointer lock click at cursor position:', { cursorX, cursorY })
+      console.log('[CLICK] Pointer lock click at cursor position:', {
+        cursorX,
+        cursorY,
+      })
 
       // Check if clicking on any registered button (Give Up, Hint, etc.)
       if (buttonRegistry.handleClick(cursorX, cursorY)) {
@@ -1127,7 +1153,11 @@ export function MapRenderer({
         })
 
         // Start zoom-in animation using CSS transform
-        console.log('[GiveUp Zoom] Setting zoom target:', { scale, translateX, translateY })
+        console.log('[GiveUp Zoom] Setting zoom target:', {
+          scale,
+          translateX,
+          translateY,
+        })
         setGiveUpZoomTarget({ scale, translateX, translateY })
       }
     }
@@ -1666,8 +1696,13 @@ export function MapRenderer({
   const viewBoxHeight = viewBoxParts[3] || 1000
 
   const showOutline = (region: MapRegion): boolean => {
-    // Guided/Helpful modes: always show outlines
-    if (assistanceLevel === 'guided' || assistanceLevel === 'helpful') return true
+    // Learning/Guided/Helpful modes: always show outlines
+    if (
+      assistanceLevel === 'learning' ||
+      assistanceLevel === 'guided' ||
+      assistanceLevel === 'helpful'
+    )
+      return true
 
     // Standard/None modes: only show outline on hover or if found
     return hoveredRegion === region.id || regionsFound.includes(region.id)
@@ -1763,7 +1798,10 @@ export function MapRenderer({
             width: containerRect.width.toFixed(1),
             height: containerRect.height.toFixed(1),
           },
-          svgSize: { width: svgRect.width.toFixed(1), height: svgRect.height.toFixed(1) },
+          svgSize: {
+            width: svgRect.width.toFixed(1),
+            height: svgRect.height.toFixed(1),
+          },
           svgOffset: { x: svgOffsetX.toFixed(1), y: svgOffsetY.toFixed(1) },
           distances: {
             left: dampenedDistLeft.toFixed(1),
@@ -3722,7 +3760,10 @@ export function MapRenderer({
         const magTL = { x: magLeft, y: magTop }
         const magTR = { x: magLeft + magnifierWidth, y: magTop }
         const magBL = { x: magLeft, y: magTop + magnifierHeight }
-        const magBR = { x: magLeft + magnifierWidth, y: magTop + magnifierHeight }
+        const magBR = {
+          x: magLeft + magnifierWidth,
+          y: magTop + magnifierHeight,
+        }
 
         // Check if a line segment passes through a rectangle (excluding endpoints)
         const linePassesThroughRect = (
@@ -3963,7 +4004,11 @@ export function MapRenderer({
                 {zoomSearchDebugInfo && (
                   <>
                     <div
-                      style={{ marginTop: '8px', paddingTop: '8px', borderTop: '1px solid #444' }}
+                      style={{
+                        marginTop: '8px',
+                        paddingTop: '8px',
+                        borderTop: '1px solid #444',
+                      }}
                     >
                       <strong>Zoom Decision:</strong>
                     </div>
@@ -4011,7 +4056,13 @@ export function MapRenderer({
                   </>
                 )}
 
-                <div style={{ marginTop: '8px', paddingTop: '8px', borderTop: '1px solid #444' }}>
+                <div
+                  style={{
+                    marginTop: '8px',
+                    paddingTop: '8px',
+                    borderTop: '1px solid #444',
+                  }}
+                >
                   <strong>Detected Regions ({detectedRegions.length}):</strong>
                 </div>
                 {detectedRegions.map((region) => (
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/PlayingPhase.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/PlayingPhase.tsx
index 4e1c1ea3..e9f0d513 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/PlayingPhase.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/PlayingPhase.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 'use client'
 
-import { useCallback, useMemo } from 'react'
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useState, useEffect } from 'react'
 import { css } from '@styled/css'
 import { Panel, PanelGroup, PanelResizeHandle } from 'react-resizable-panels'
 import { useKnowYourWorld } from '../Provider'
-import { getFilteredMapDataBySizesSync } from '../maps'
+import { getFilteredMapDataBySizesSync, getAssistanceLevel } from '../maps'
 import { MapRenderer } from './MapRenderer'
 import { GameInfoPanel } from './GameInfoPanel'
 import { useViewerId } from '@/lib/arcade/game-sdk'
@@ -55,6 +55,26 @@ export function PlayingPhase() {
   const currentRegionName = currentRegion?.name ?? null
   const currentRegionId = currentRegion?.id ?? null
 
+  // Check if hints are locked (name confirmation required but not yet done)
+  const assistanceConfig = getAssistanceLevel(state.assistanceLevel)
+  const requiresNameConfirmation = assistanceConfig.nameConfirmationLetters ?? 0
+
+  // Track whether hints have been unlocked for the current region
+  const [hintsUnlocked, setHintsUnlocked] = useState(false)
+
+  // Reset hints locked state when region changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setHintsUnlocked(false)
+  }, [state.currentPrompt])
+
+  // Hints are locked if name confirmation is required and not yet unlocked
+  const hintsLocked = requiresNameConfirmation > 0 && !hintsUnlocked
+
+  // Callback for GameInfoPanel to notify when hints are unlocked
+  const handleHintsUnlock = useCallback(() => {
+    setHintsUnlocked(true)
+  }, [])
+
   // Error if prompt not found in filtered regions (indicates server/client filter mismatch)
   if (state.currentPrompt && !currentRegion) {
     const errorInfo = {
@@ -102,6 +122,7 @@ export function PlayingPhase() {
             foundCount={foundCount}
             totalRegions={totalRegions}
             progress={progress}
+            onHintsUnlock={handleHintsUnlock}
           />
         </Panel>
 
@@ -164,6 +185,7 @@ export function PlayingPhase() {
               activeUserIds={state.activeUserIds}
               viewerId={viewerId ?? undefined}
               memberPlayers={memberPlayers}
+              hintsLocked={hintsLocked}
             />
           </div>
         </Panel>
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/SetupPhase.tsx b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/SetupPhase.tsx
index ba54005b..6d588020 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/SetupPhase.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/components/SetupPhase.tsx
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ export function SetupPhase() {
         <Select.Root
           value={state.assistanceLevel}
           onValueChange={(value) =>
-            setAssistanceLevel(value as 'guided' | 'helpful' | 'standard' | 'none')
+            setAssistanceLevel(value as 'learning' | 'guided' | 'helpful' | 'standard' | 'none')
           }
         >
           <Select.Trigger className={cardTriggerStyles}>
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/index.ts b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/index.ts
index 021f2e4f..fdddf144 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/index.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/index.ts
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ function validateKnowYourWorldConfig(config: unknown): config is KnowYourWorldCo
   ]
 
   const validSizes = ['huge', 'large', 'medium', 'small', 'tiny']
-  const validAssistanceLevels = ['guided', 'helpful', 'standard', 'none']
+  const validAssistanceLevels = ['learning', 'guided', 'helpful', 'standard', 'none']
 
   return (
     typeof config === 'object' &&
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/maps.ts b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/maps.ts
index c3b222b7..8c328c6c 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/maps.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/maps.ts
@@ -163,11 +163,11 @@ export interface AssistanceLevelConfig {
  */
 export const ASSISTANCE_LEVELS: AssistanceLevelConfig[] = [
   {
-    id: 'guided',
-    label: 'Guided',
-    emoji: '🎓',
+    id: 'learning',
+    label: 'Learning',
+    emoji: '📚',
     description:
-      'Maximum help - type name to unlock hints, hot/cold feedback, shows names on wrong clicks',
+      'Type first 3 letters to unlock hints, maximum feedback, best for memorizing names',
     hotColdEnabled: true,
     hintsMode: 'onRequest',
     autoHintDefault: true,
@@ -176,6 +176,18 @@ export const ASSISTANCE_LEVELS: AssistanceLevelConfig[] = [
     wrongClickShowsName: true,
     nameConfirmationLetters: 3, // Must type first 3 letters to unlock hints
   },
+  {
+    id: 'guided',
+    label: 'Guided',
+    emoji: '🎓',
+    description: 'Maximum help - auto hints, hot/cold feedback, shows names on wrong clicks',
+    hotColdEnabled: true,
+    hintsMode: 'onRequest',
+    autoHintDefault: true,
+    struggleHintEnabled: true,
+    giveUpMode: 'reaskSoon',
+    wrongClickShowsName: true,
+  },
   {
     id: 'helpful',
     label: 'Helpful',
diff --git a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/types.ts b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/types.ts
index ff8461be..bb1fa86e 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/types.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/arcade-games/know-your-world/types.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import type { MapDifficultyConfig, RegionSize } from './maps'
  * Assistance level - controls gameplay features (hints, hot/cold, etc.)
  * Separate from region filtering
  */
-export type AssistanceLevel = 'guided' | 'helpful' | 'standard' | 'none'
+export type AssistanceLevel = 'learning' | 'guided' | 'helpful' | 'standard' | 'none'
 
 // Game configuration (persisted to database)
 export interface KnowYourWorldConfig extends GameConfig {