diff --git a/public/game.js b/public/game.js
index 6bb826d..d58ea86 100644
--- a/public/game.js
+++ b/public/game.js
@@ -172,25 +172,31 @@ class GameUI {
   }
 
   initializePlayers() {
-    const emptyCells = this.map.getEmptyCells();
-    const shuffled = emptyCells.sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
-    
-    // Place starting units for each player
+    // Place starting units for each player at fixed positions that are always passable
+    // Use corners of the map to ensure they don't overlap
     const positions = [
-      { q: 2, r: 2 },    // Player 1 - top area
-      { q: MAP_SIZE - 3, r: MAP_SIZE - 3 },  // Player 2 - bottom area
-      { q: 2, r: MAP_SIZE - 3 },  // Player 3
-      { q: MAP_SIZE - 3, r: 2 }   // Player 4
+      { q: 1, r: 1 },     // Player 1 - top-left
+      { q: MAP_SIZE - 2, r: MAP_SIZE - 2 },  // Player 2 - bottom-right
+      { q: 1, r: MAP_SIZE - 2 },  // Player 3 - bottom-left
+      { q: MAP_SIZE - 2, r: 1 }   // Player 4 - top-right
     ];
-    
+
     for (let i = 1; i <= this.playerCount; i++) {
-      const pos = positions[i - 1] || shuffled[i];
-      if (pos) {
-        const cell = this.map.getCell(pos.q, pos.r);
-        if (cell && cell.isPassable()) {
-          this.map.setOwner(pos.q, pos.r, i);
-          cell.setStrength(8);
+      const pos = positions[i - 1];
+      if (!pos) continue;
+      
+      // Force the cell to be passable and set ownership
+      const cell = this.map.getCell(pos.q, pos.r);
+      if (cell) {
+        // Make sure cell is passable
+        if (cell.type === CELL_TYPES.BLOCKED) {
+          cell.type = CELL_TYPES.EMPTY;
         }
+        this.map.setOwner(pos.q, pos.r, i);
+        cell.setStrength(8);
+        console.log(`[GAME] Player ${i} placed at (${pos.q}, ${pos.r})`);
+      } else {
+        console.error(`[GAME] Failed to place Player ${i} at (${pos.q}, ${pos.r})`);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -201,17 +207,24 @@ class GameUI {
 
     const sqrt3 = Math.sqrt(3);
     // Calculate map bounds with proper padding for hex visibility
-    // For pointy-top hex: width = sqrt(3) * size, height = 2 * size
-    // Rightmost hex (q=19, r=19): x = HEX_SIZE * sqrt3 * (19 + 19/2) = HEX_SIZE * sqrt3 * 28.5
-    // Leftmost hex (q=0, r=0): x = 0
-    // Add padding for full hex visibility (hex radius on each side)
-    const hexPadding = HEX_SIZE * 2; // Extra padding for hex radius
+    // For pointy-top hex: width = sqrt(3) * size
+    // Rightmost hex center (q=19, r=19): x = HEX_SIZE * sqrt3 * (19 + 19/2) = HEX_SIZE * sqrt3 * 28.5
+    // Leftmost hex center (q=0, r=0): x = 0
+    // Add padding for full hex visibility
+    const hexPadding = HEX_SIZE * 2.5; // Extra padding for hex radius
     
     const mapWidth = HEX_SIZE * sqrt3 * ((MAP_SIZE - 1) + (MAP_SIZE - 1) / 2);
     const mapHeight = HEX_SIZE * 1.5 * (MAP_SIZE - 1);
 
-    this.offsetX = hexPadding;
-    this.offsetY = hexPadding;
+    // Center the map on canvas
+    this.offsetX = (canvasWidth - mapWidth) / 2;
+    this.offsetY = (canvasHeight - mapHeight) / 2;
+    
+    // Ensure minimum padding
+    if (this.offsetX < hexPadding) this.offsetX = hexPadding;
+    if (this.offsetY < hexPadding) this.offsetY = hexPadding;
+    
+    console.log(`[GAME] Map centered: offsetX=${this.offsetX}, offsetY=${this.offsetY}, canvas=${canvasWidth}x${canvasHeight}`);
   }
 
   setupEventListeners() {
@@ -553,14 +566,16 @@ class GameUI {
       this.log(`Player ${this.currentPlayer}'s turn`);
       console.log(`[GAME] Player ${this.currentPlayer}'s turn started (${this.playerTypes[this.currentPlayer]})`);
 
+      // Reset isProcessingTurn BEFORE awaiting AI turn
+      // This allows the next AI's endTurn() call to proceed
+      this.isProcessingTurn = false;
+      
       // Check if next player is AI and await completion
       await this.checkAndRunAITurn();
     } catch (error) {
       console.error(`[GAME] Error in endTurn():`, error);
       this.log(`Error during turn transition: ${error.message}`, 'error');
-    } finally {
       this.isProcessingTurn = false;
-      console.log(`[GAME] endTurn() completed for Player ${this.currentPlayer}`);
     }
   }