diff --git a/src/lib/pinball.js b/src/lib/pinball.js
index 911eb12..7715925 100644
--- a/src/lib/pinball.js
+++ b/src/lib/pinball.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  */
 
 const W = 320;
-const H = 540;
+const H = 560;
 
 const PHYS = {
   gravity: 1050, // units/s²
@@ -18,51 +18,69 @@ const PHYS = {
   maxSpeed: 1000, // 5 substeps keep even this from tunnelling
   substeps: 5,
   ballR: 7,
-  wallE: 0.32, // wall restitution
+  wallE: 0.34, // wall restitution
   flipE: 0.28,
   flipThick: 6,
   flipLen: 56,
   flipSwing: 1.02, // radians
   flipSpeed: 34, // ease rate toward target angle
-  bumperE: 0.5,
-  bumperKick: 108,
-  slingE: 1.06,
-  slingKick: 78,
+  bumperE: 0.55,
+  bumperKick: 116,
+  postE: 0.75,
+  postKick: 70,
+  slingE: 1.1,
+  slingKick: 90,
+  spin: 0.07, // Poké Ball rotation per unit travelled
 };
 
 // Named table geometry — segments are { a:[x,y], b:[x,y], e? }.
+// Concave corners are chamfered so a slow ball can't wedge in a vertex.
 const TABLE = {
-  // Concave corners are chamfered so a slow ball can't wedge in a vertex.
+  // Deliberately open at the bottom: below the side walls it's all drain
+  // except the two flippers and slingshots. No enclosed basins to wedge in.
   walls: [
-    { a: [14, 58], b: [40, 20] }, // top-left corner
-    { a: [40, 20], b: [252, 20] }, // top
-    { a: [252, 20], b: [300, 56] }, // top-right corner
+    { a: [14, 60], b: [42, 20] }, // top-left corner
+    { a: [42, 20], b: [250, 20] }, // top
+    { a: [250, 20], b: [300, 56] }, // top-right corner
     { a: [300, 56], b: [306, 96] },
-    { a: [306, 96], b: [306, 446] }, // right wall / shooter-lane outer
-    { a: [288, 446], b: [288, 230] }, // shooter-lane divider
-    { a: [288, 446], b: [306, 446] }, // shooter-lane floor
-    { a: [14, 58], b: [14, 452] }, // left wall
-    { a: [14, 452], b: [34, 476] }, // left chamfer
-    { a: [34, 476], b: [86, 506], e: 0.12 }, // left inlane → left flipper
-    { a: [288, 446], b: [268, 470] }, // right chamfer off the divider
-    { a: [268, 470], b: [214, 504], e: 0.12 }, // right inlane → right flipper
-  ],
-  // slingshots — bouncy, kink up off the inlane end (a convex corner)
-  slings: [
-    { a: [86, 506], b: [114, 452] },
-    { a: [214, 504], b: [188, 452] },
+    { a: [306, 96], b: [306, 474] }, // right wall / shooter-lane outer
+    { a: [288, 474], b: [288, 236] }, // shooter-lane divider
+    { a: [288, 474], b: [306, 474] }, // shooter-lane floor
+    { a: [14, 60], b: [14, 452] }, // left wall
+    { a: [14, 452], b: [40, 478] }, // left lower guide (rounds toward the flipper)
+    { a: [288, 474], b: [264, 492] }, // right lower guide
+
+    // left slingshot — triangle above the flipper's outer half
+    { a: [88, 442], b: [104, 486], e: PHYS.slingE, k: PHYS.slingKick }, // kicking face
+    { a: [88, 442], b: [58, 486] }, // outer face
+    { a: [58, 486], b: [104, 486] }, // bottom
+
+    // right slingshot
+    { a: [232, 442], b: [216, 486], e: PHYS.slingE, k: PHYS.slingKick },
+    { a: [232, 442], b: [262, 486] },
+    { a: [216, 486], b: [262, 486] },
   ],
   bumpers: [
-    { x: 92, y: 150, r: 15 },
-    { x: 168, y: 114, r: 15 },
-    { x: 226, y: 150, r: 15 },
+    { x: 80, y: 132, r: 15 },
+    { x: 160, y: 100, r: 15 },
+    { x: 240, y: 132, r: 15 },
+    { x: 120, y: 214, r: 13 },
+    { x: 200, y: 214, r: 13 },
+  ],
+  // small round posts — extra things to carom off in the mid-field
+  posts: [
+    { x: 52, y: 300, r: 7 },
+    { x: 268, y: 300, r: 7 },
+    { x: 160, y: 300, r: 7 },
   ],
   flippers: {
-    L: { pivot: [88, 500], rest: 0.36 }, // radians, y-down; tip points down-right
-    R: { pivot: [214, 500], rest: Math.PI - 0.36 },
+    L: { pivot: [86, 504], rest: 0.3 }, // radians, y-down; tip points down-right
+    R: { pivot: [234, 504], rest: Math.PI - 0.3 },
   },
   laneX: 297, // ball rest x in the shooter lane
-  drainY: 536,
+  laneRestY: 466,
+  drainY: 552,
+  returnMinX: 246, // a ball past drainY here came down the right side → back to the plunger, no life lost
 };
 
 const clamp = (v, lo, hi) => Math.max(lo, Math.min(hi, v));
@@ -98,14 +116,21 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
     plunge: false,
     chargeStart: 0, // performance.now() when the plunger was pressed
     charge: 0, // 0..1, for the plunger visual only
-    lit: [false, false, false],
+    lit: TABLE.bumpers.map(() => false),
     catchT: 0,
     catchName: '',
     scale: 1,
   };
 
-  function spawnBall() {
-    state.ball = { x: TABLE.laneX, y: 436, vx: 0, vy: 0, inLane: true };
+  function spawnBall(toLane = true) {
+    state.ball = {
+      x: TABLE.laneX,
+      y: TABLE.laneRestY - 4,
+      vx: 0,
+      vy: 0,
+      spin: 0,
+      inLane: toLane,
+    };
     state.charge = 0;
     state.chargeStart = 0;
   }
@@ -116,7 +141,7 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
     state.score = 0;
     state.balls = 3;
     state.over = false;
-    state.lit = [false, false, false];
+    state.lit = TABLE.bumpers.map(() => false);
     spawnBall();
     cbs.onScore?.(0);
     cbs.onBalls?.(3);
@@ -196,20 +221,38 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
     b.y += b.vy * dt;
 
     for (const w of TABLE.walls) {
-      collideSeg(b, w.a[0], w.a[1], w.b[0], w.b[1], w.e ?? PHYS.wallE, 0);
-    }
-    for (const s of TABLE.slings) {
-      if (collideSeg(b, s.a[0], s.a[1], s.b[0], s.b[1], PHYS.slingE, 2)) {
-        const mx = (s.a[0] + s.b[0]) / 2;
-        const my = (s.a[1] + s.b[1]) / 2;
+      if (collideSeg(b, w.a[0], w.a[1], w.b[0], w.b[1], w.e ?? PHYS.wallE, 0) && w.k) {
+        // slingshot face: shove the ball away from the segment + score
+        const mx = (w.a[0] + w.b[0]) / 2;
+        const my = (w.a[1] + w.b[1]) / 2;
         const nx = b.x - mx;
         const ny = b.y - my;
         const nl = Math.hypot(nx, ny) || 1;
-        b.vx += (nx / nl) * PHYS.slingKick;
-        b.vy += (ny / nl) * PHYS.slingKick;
+        b.vx += (nx / nl) * w.k;
+        b.vy += (ny / nl) * w.k;
         addScore(50);
       }
     }
+    for (const p of TABLE.posts) {
+      const dx = b.x - p.x;
+      const dy = b.y - p.y;
+      const d = Math.hypot(dx, dy) || 1;
+      if (d < PHYS.ballR + p.r) {
+        const nx = dx / d;
+        const ny = dy / d;
+        const vn = b.vx * nx + b.vy * ny;
+        if (vn < 0) {
+          const j = -(1 + PHYS.postE) * vn;
+          b.vx += j * nx;
+          b.vy += j * ny;
+        }
+        b.vx += nx * PHYS.postKick;
+        b.vy += ny * PHYS.postKick;
+        b.x = p.x + nx * (PHYS.ballR + p.r + 0.5);
+        b.y = p.y + ny * (PHYS.ballR + p.r + 0.5);
+        addScore(25);
+      }
+    }
     for (let i = 0; i < TABLE.bumpers.length; i++) {
       const bp = TABLE.bumpers[i];
       let dx = b.x - bp.x;
@@ -236,7 +279,7 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
         if (!state.lit[i]) {
           state.lit[i] = true;
           if (state.lit.every(Boolean)) {
-            state.lit = [false, false, false];
+            state.lit = TABLE.bumpers.map(() => false);
             addScore(5000);
             state.catchName = (cbs.pickName?.() || 'Something').toUpperCase();
             state.catchT = 1.6;
@@ -260,6 +303,7 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
       b.vx *= PHYS.maxSpeed / sp;
       b.vy *= PHYS.maxSpeed / sp;
     }
+    b.spin += b.vx * dt * PHYS.spin; // Poké Ball rolls with its horizontal motion
 
     // Ball-search: if the ball hasn't travelled 24 units in 1.4s (and isn't
     // waiting in the shooter lane) it's wedged — kick it toward centre, like
@@ -290,7 +334,11 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
       b.trackY = b.y;
     }
 
-    if (b.y > TABLE.drainY) loseBall();
+    if (b.y > TABLE.drainY) {
+      if (b.x >= TABLE.returnMinX)
+        spawnBall(true); // right outlane — back to the plunger, no life lost
+      else loseBall();
+    }
   }
 
   function loseBall() {
@@ -326,95 +374,183 @@ export function createPinball(canvas, cbs = {}) {
     ctx.stroke();
   }
 
+  const accentRGB = (() => {
+    const h = /^#([0-9a-f]{6})$/i.test(accent) ? accent : '#b3161a';
+    return [1, 3, 5].map((i) => parseInt(h.slice(i, i + 2), 16));
+  })();
+  /** Blend the accent toward `to` ([r,g,b]) by `t`. */
+  const mix = (_ignored, to, t) => {
+    const c = (a, b) => Math.round(a + (b - a) * t);
+    return `rgb(${c(accentRGB[0], to[0])},${c(accentRGB[1], to[1])},${c(accentRGB[2], to[2])})`;
+  };
+  const accentA = (a) => `rgba(${accentRGB[0]},${accentRGB[1]},${accentRGB[2]},${a})`;
+
   function render() {
     ctx.setTransform(state.scale, 0, 0, state.scale, 0, 0);
+
+    // playfield
     const g = ctx.createLinearGradient(0, 0, 0, H);
-    g.addColorStop(0, '#282a34');
-    g.addColorStop(1, '#101116');
+    g.addColorStop(0, '#2b2d38');
+    g.addColorStop(0.55, '#1a1b22');
+    g.addColorStop(1, '#0d0e12');
     ctx.fillStyle = g;
     ctx.fillRect(0, 0, W, H);
-    const glow = ctx.createRadialGradient(W / 2, 150, 20, W / 2, 150, 220);
-    glow.addColorStop(0, `${accent}22`);
+    const glow = ctx.createRadialGradient(W / 2, 150, 10, W / 2, 150, 240);
+    glow.addColorStop(0, accentA(0.18));
     glow.addColorStop(1, 'transparent');
     ctx.fillStyle = glow;
     ctx.fillRect(0, 0, W, H);
+    // faint grid
+    ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.03)';
+    ctx.lineWidth = 1;
+    for (let x = 40; x < W; x += 40) line(x, 0, x, H);
+    for (let y = 40; y < H; y += 40) line(0, y, W, y);
 
     ctx.lineCap = 'round';
     ctx.lineJoin = 'round';
 
-    ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.55)';
-    ctx.lineWidth = 2.5;
-    for (const w of TABLE.walls) line(w.a[0], w.a[1], w.b[0], w.b[1]);
+    // slingshot triangles (filled) — draw before the wall outline
+    const tri = (pts) => {
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.moveTo(pts[0][0], pts[0][1]);
+      for (const p of pts.slice(1)) ctx.lineTo(p[0], p[1]);
+      ctx.closePath();
+    };
+    ctx.fillStyle = accentA(0.22);
+    tri([
+      [88, 442],
+      [104, 486],
+      [58, 486],
+    ]);
+    ctx.fill();
+    tri([
+      [232, 442],
+      [216, 486],
+      [262, 486],
+    ]);
+    ctx.fill();
 
-    ctx.strokeStyle = accent;
-    ctx.lineWidth = 5;
-    for (const s of TABLE.slings) line(s.a[0], s.a[1], s.b[0], s.b[1]);
+    // wall outline
+    ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.7)';
+    ctx.lineWidth = 3;
+    for (const w of TABLE.walls) {
+      ctx.strokeStyle = w.k ? accent : 'rgba(255,255,255,0.7)';
+      ctx.lineWidth = w.k ? 4 : 3;
+      line(w.a[0], w.a[1], w.b[0], w.b[1]);
+    }
 
+    // posts
+    for (const p of TABLE.posts) {
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(p.x, p.y, p.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#5a5f70';
+      ctx.fill();
+      ctx.lineWidth = 2;
+      ctx.strokeStyle = accent;
+      ctx.stroke();
+    }
+
+    // bumpers — concentric, with a lit glow
     for (let i = 0; i < TABLE.bumpers.length; i++) {
       const bp = TABLE.bumpers[i];
+      const lit = state.lit[i];
+      if (lit) {
+        ctx.shadowColor = accent;
+        ctx.shadowBlur = 22;
+      }
       ctx.beginPath();
       ctx.arc(bp.x, bp.y, bp.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
-      if (state.lit[i]) {
-        ctx.fillStyle = accent;
-        ctx.shadowColor = accent;
-        ctx.shadowBlur = 18;
-      } else {
-        ctx.fillStyle = '#4a4e5c';
-        ctx.shadowBlur = 0;
-      }
+      ctx.fillStyle = lit ? accent : '#3a3e4b';
       ctx.fill();
       ctx.shadowBlur = 0;
       ctx.lineWidth = 3;
-      ctx.strokeStyle = state.lit[i] ? '#fff' : accent;
+      ctx.strokeStyle = lit ? '#fff' : accent;
       ctx.stroke();
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(bp.x, bp.y, bp.r * 0.5, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fillStyle = lit ? '#fff' : mix(accent, [255, 255, 255], 0.15);
+      ctx.globalAlpha = lit ? 0.9 : 0.5;
+      ctx.fill();
+      ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
     }
 
-    ctx.strokeStyle = accent;
-    ctx.lineWidth = PHYS.flipThick * 2;
+    // flippers
     for (const which of ['L', 'R']) {
       const s = flipperSeg(which);
+      ctx.strokeStyle = accent;
+      ctx.lineWidth = PHYS.flipThick * 2 + 2;
       line(s.ax, s.ay, s.bx, s.by);
+      ctx.strokeStyle = mix(accent, [255, 255, 255], 0.35);
+      ctx.lineWidth = PHYS.flipThick;
+      line(s.ax, s.ay, s.bx, s.by);
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(s.ax, s.ay, PHYS.flipThick + 1, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#e8e8ec';
+      ctx.fill();
     }
 
     // plunger
-    ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.55)';
-    ctx.fillRect(289, 452 + state.charge * 14, 16, 20);
+    const py = 470 - state.charge * 18;
+    ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.35)';
+    ctx.lineWidth = 3;
+    line(297, py + 22, 297, 486);
+    ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.75)';
+    ctx.beginPath();
+    ctx.roundRect?.(289, py, 16, 22, 4);
+    ctx.fill();
+    if (!ctx.roundRect) ctx.fillRect(289, py, 16, 22);
 
+    // ball — a spinning Poké Ball
     const b = state.ball;
     if (b) {
+      const r = PHYS.ballR;
       ctx.save();
+      ctx.translate(b.x, b.y + 1);
       ctx.beginPath();
-      ctx.arc(b.x, b.y, PHYS.ballR, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.arc(0, 1.5, r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(0,0,0,0.3)';
+      ctx.fill();
+      ctx.restore();
+
+      ctx.save();
+      ctx.translate(b.x, b.y);
+      ctx.rotate(b.spin);
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(0, 0, r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
       ctx.clip();
-      ctx.fillStyle = '#f2f2f5';
-      ctx.fillRect(b.x - 9, b.y - 9, 18, 18);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#f4f4f6';
+      ctx.fillRect(-r, -r, r * 2, r * 2);
       ctx.fillStyle = accent;
-      ctx.fillRect(b.x - 9, b.y - 9, 18, 9);
+      ctx.fillRect(-r, -r, r * 2, r);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#1b1c22';
+      ctx.fillRect(-r, -1.6, r * 2, 3.2);
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(0, 0, 2.6, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#1b1c22';
+      ctx.fill();
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.arc(0, 0, 1.5, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#f4f4f6';
+      ctx.fill();
       ctx.restore();
       ctx.beginPath();
-      ctx.arc(b.x, b.y, PHYS.ballR, 0, Math.PI * 2);
-      ctx.lineWidth = 1.5;
-      ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(0,0,0,0.55)';
+      ctx.arc(b.x, b.y, r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+      ctx.lineWidth = 1;
+      ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(0,0,0,0.4)';
       ctx.stroke();
-      ctx.beginPath();
-      ctx.moveTo(b.x - PHYS.ballR, b.y);
-      ctx.lineTo(b.x + PHYS.ballR, b.y);
-      ctx.stroke();
-      ctx.beginPath();
-      ctx.arc(b.x, b.y, 2.4, 0, Math.PI * 2);
-      ctx.fillStyle = '#fff';
-      ctx.fill();
     }
 
     if (state.catchT > 0) {
       ctx.globalAlpha = Math.min(1, state.catchT);
+      ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(0,0,0,0.5)';
+      ctx.fillRect(0, H / 2 - 66, W, 92);
       ctx.fillStyle = '#fff';
       ctx.font = 'bold 22px system-ui, sans-serif';
       ctx.textAlign = 'center';
-      ctx.fillText(`Caught ${state.catchName}!`, W / 2, H / 2 - 40);
-      ctx.font = 'bold 14px system-ui, sans-serif';
+      ctx.fillText(`Caught ${state.catchName}!`, W / 2, H / 2 - 30);
+      ctx.font = 'bold 15px system-ui, sans-serif';
       ctx.fillStyle = accent;
-      ctx.fillText('+5000', W / 2, H / 2 - 18);
+      ctx.fillText('+5000', W / 2, H / 2 - 6);
       ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
       ctx.textAlign = 'left';
     }
diff --git a/src/styles/layout.css b/src/styles/layout.css
index 5455634..c94fced 100644
--- a/src/styles/layout.css
+++ b/src/styles/layout.css
@@ -3882,8 +3882,11 @@
 
 /* ---- Hidden mini-game: Pinball (#/pinball) ----------------------- */
 .pin {
-  max-width: 26rem;
+  max-width: 24rem;
   margin: 0 auto;
+  -webkit-user-select: none;
+  user-select: none;
+  -webkit-touch-callout: none;
 }
 .pin__hud {
   display: flex;
@@ -3909,14 +3912,22 @@
 }
 .pin__stage {
   position: relative;
+  padding: 8px;
+  border-radius: calc(var(--radius-lg) + 8px);
+  background: linear-gradient(160deg, #2a2c36, #131419);
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06),
+    0 10px 30px -12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
 }
 .pin__canvas {
   display: block;
   margin: 0 auto; /* the engine sets style.width/height from the container */
   border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
   touch-action: none;
   background: #101116;
+  -webkit-user-select: none;
+  user-select: none;
 }
 .pin__over[hidden] {
   display: none;
diff --git a/src/views/PinballView.js b/src/views/PinballView.js
index fb530af..6fd719c 100644
--- a/src/views/PinballView.js
+++ b/src/views/PinballView.js
@@ -79,18 +79,37 @@ export async function PinballView() {
   window.addEventListener('keydown', kd);
   window.addEventListener('keyup', ku);
 
+  // Per-pointer flipper tracking so two thumbs work and nothing sticks if a
+  // pointerup is missed. `resync` recomputes each flipper from live pointers.
+  const pointers = new Map(); // pointerId -> 'L' | 'R'
+  function resync() {
+    let L = false;
+    let R = false;
+    for (const side of pointers.values()) side === 'L' ? (L = true) : (R = true);
+    game.setFlipper('L', L);
+    game.setFlipper('R', R);
+  }
   canvas.addEventListener('pointerdown', (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
     canvas.setPointerCapture?.(e.pointerId);
-    const left = e.offsetX < canvas.clientWidth / 2;
-    game.setFlipper(left ? 'L' : 'R', true);
-    canvas._side = left ? 'L' : 'R';
+    const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+    pointers.set(e.pointerId, e.clientX - rect.left < rect.width / 2 ? 'L' : 'R');
+    resync();
   });
-  const releaseFlippers = (e) => {
-    if (canvas._side) game.setFlipper(canvas._side, false);
-    canvas._side = null;
+  const drop = (e) => {
+    if (pointers.delete(e.pointerId)) resync();
   };
-  canvas.addEventListener('pointerup', releaseFlippers);
-  canvas.addEventListener('pointercancel', releaseFlippers);
+  for (const ev of ['pointerup', 'pointercancel', 'pointerleave', 'lostpointercapture'])
+    canvas.addEventListener(ev, drop);
+  // Clear everything if focus/visibility is lost mid-press.
+  const clearAll = () => {
+    if (pointers.size) {
+      pointers.clear();
+      resync();
+    }
+  };
+  window.addEventListener('blur', clearAll);
+  document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', clearAll);
 
   const launchBtn = el('button', { class: 'button pin__launch', type: 'button' }, 'Launch (hold)');
   for (const ev of ['pointerdown']) launchBtn.addEventListener(ev, () => game.setPlunge(true));
@@ -124,6 +143,8 @@ export async function PinballView() {
     game.stop();
     window.removeEventListener('keydown', kd);
     window.removeEventListener('keyup', ku);
+    window.removeEventListener('blur', clearAll);
+    document.removeEventListener('visibilitychange', clearAll);
   });
   return view;
 }