diff --git a/poker/table.go b/poker/table.go
index b1ae04a..2a40c7e 100644
--- a/poker/table.go
+++ b/poker/table.go
@@ -101,21 +101,23 @@ func NewTable(cfg Config) *Table {
 // The caller is responsible for deducting from the player's wallet first.
 func (t *Table) Sit(username string, seatIndex int, buyin int64) error {
 	t.mu.Lock()
-	defer t.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if seatIndex < 0 || seatIndex >= len(t.Seats) {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("invalid seat index")
 	}
 	if t.Seats[seatIndex].Username != "" {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("seat taken")
 	}
-	// Check player not already seated
 	for _, s := range t.Seats {
 		if s.Username == username {
+			t.mu.Unlock()
 			return errors.New("already seated")
 		}
 	}
 	if buyin < t.Config.MinBuyin || buyin > t.Config.MaxBuyin {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return fmt.Errorf("buy-in must be between %d and %d", t.Config.MinBuyin, t.Config.MaxBuyin)
 	}
 
@@ -123,6 +125,7 @@ func (t *Table) Sit(username string, seatIndex int, buyin int64) error {
 	t.Seats[seatIndex].Stack = buyin
 	t.Seats[seatIndex].Folded = false
 	t.Seats[seatIndex].SitOut = false
+	t.mu.Unlock()
 
 	t.broadcastState()
 	t.maybeStartHand()
@@ -133,20 +136,21 @@ func (t *Table) Sit(username string, seatIndex int, buyin int64) error {
 // Cannot stand mid-hand unless folded.
 func (t *Table) Stand(username string) (int64, error) {
 	t.mu.Lock()
-	defer t.mu.Unlock()
 
 	seat := t.findSeat(username)
 	if seat == nil {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return 0, errors.New("not seated")
 	}
-
-	// Allow standing mid-hand only if folded or hand is waiting
 	if t.Hand.Phase != PhaseWaiting && !seat.Folded {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return 0, errors.New("cannot stand mid-hand while active")
 	}
 
 	stack := seat.Stack
-	*seat = Seat{} // clear seat
+	*seat = Seat{}
+	t.mu.Unlock()
+
 	t.broadcastState()
 	return stack, nil
 }
@@ -154,19 +158,23 @@ func (t *Table) Stand(username string) (int64, error) {
 // TopUp adds chips to a seated player's stack (between hands only).
 func (t *Table) TopUp(username string, amount int64) error {
 	t.mu.Lock()
-	defer t.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if t.Hand.Phase != PhaseWaiting {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("can only top up between hands")
 	}
 	seat := t.findSeat(username)
 	if seat == nil {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("not seated")
 	}
 	if seat.Stack+amount > t.Config.MaxBuyin {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return fmt.Errorf("would exceed max buy-in of %d", t.Config.MaxBuyin)
 	}
 	seat.Stack += amount
+	t.mu.Unlock()
+
 	t.broadcastState()
 	return nil
 }
@@ -274,17 +282,19 @@ const (
 // Action processes a player's action. Returns an error if invalid.
 func (t *Table) Action(username string, action ActionType, amount int64) error {
 	t.mu.Lock()
-	defer t.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if t.Hand.Phase == PhaseWaiting || t.Hand.Phase == PhaseDealing || t.Hand.Phase == PhaseShowdown {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("no action in current phase")
 	}
 
 	seatIdx := t.findSeatIndex(username)
 	if seatIdx < 0 {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("not seated")
 	}
 	if seatIdx != t.Hand.ActionOn {
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return errors.New("not your turn")
 	}
 
@@ -298,12 +308,14 @@ func (t *Table) Action(username string, action ActionType, amount int64) error {
 
 	case ActionCheck:
 		if seat.Bet < currentBet {
+			t.mu.Unlock()
 			return errors.New("cannot check — must call or raise")
 		}
 
 	case ActionCall:
 		toCall := currentBet - seat.Bet
 		if toCall <= 0 {
+			t.mu.Unlock()
 			return errors.New("nothing to call — check instead")
 		}
 		if toCall > seat.Stack {
@@ -315,6 +327,7 @@ func (t *Table) Action(username string, action ActionType, amount int64) error {
 
 	case ActionRaise:
 		if amount < t.Hand.MinRaise {
+			t.mu.Unlock()
 			return fmt.Errorf("minimum raise is %d", t.Hand.MinRaise)
 		}
 		toCall := currentBet - seat.Bet
@@ -330,6 +343,7 @@ func (t *Table) Action(username string, action ActionType, amount int64) error {
 		t.acted = make(map[string]bool) // raise reopens action
 
 	default:
+		t.mu.Unlock()
 		return fmt.Errorf("unknown action: %s", action)
 	}
 
@@ -344,7 +358,6 @@ func (t *Table) Action(username string, action ActionType, amount int64) error {
 	t.mu.Unlock()
 	t.broadcastAction(username, action, amount)
 	t.advance()
-	t.mu.Lock()
 	return nil
 }