diff --git a/local.yml b/local.yml
index 52cd663..4da3e63 100644
--- a/local.yml
+++ b/local.yml
@@ -7,3 +7,10 @@ session:
 socket:
   max_message_size_bytes: 4096 # reserved buffer
   max_request_size_bytes: 131072
+matchmaker:
+  max_tickets: 10000
+  interval_ms: 100
+  query:
+    properties:
+      string:
+        mode: true
diff --git a/plugins/match.go b/plugins/match.go
index d5d0378..b1ebe68 100644
--- a/plugins/match.go
+++ b/plugins/match.go
@@ -106,6 +106,21 @@ func (m *TicTacToeMatch) MatchJoin(
 	}
 
 	logger.Info("MatchJoin: now %d players", len(s.Players))
+
+	// If we have enough players to start, broadcast initial state immediately
+	if len(s.Players) == 2 {
+		stateJSON, err := json.Marshal(s)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("Failed to marshal state on join: %v", err)
+		} else {
+			if err := dispatcher.BroadcastMessage(OpState, stateJSON, nil, nil, true); err != nil {
+				logger.Error("BroadcastMessage (initial state) failed: %v", err)
+			} else {
+				logger.Info("Broadcasted initial state to players")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	return s
 }
 
@@ -128,6 +143,18 @@ func (m *TicTacToeMatch) MatchLeave(
 		s.GameOver = true
 		s.Winner = "forfeit"
 		logger.Info("MatchLeave: game ended by forfeit")
+
+		// broadcast final state so clients see the forfeit
+		stateJSON, err := json.Marshal(s)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("Failed to marshal state on leave: %v", err)
+		} else {
+			if err := dispatcher.BroadcastMessage(OpState, stateJSON, nil, nil, true); err != nil {
+				logger.Error("BroadcastMessage (forfeit) failed: %v", err)
+			} else {
+				logger.Info("Broadcasted forfeit state to remaining players")
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	return s
@@ -151,8 +178,11 @@ func (m *TicTacToeMatch) MatchLoop(
 		return s
 	}
 
+	changed := false
+
 	for _, msg := range messages {
 		if msg.GetOpCode() != OpMove {
+			logger.Debug("Ignoring non-move opcode: %d", msg.GetOpCode())
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -162,46 +192,72 @@ func (m *TicTacToeMatch) MatchLoop(
 		}
 
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(msg.GetData(), &move); err != nil {
-			logger.Warn("Invalid move payload: %v", err)
+			logger.Warn("Invalid move payload from %s: %v", msg.GetUserId(), err)
 			continue
 		}
 
 		playerID := msg.GetUserId()
 		playerIdx := indexOf(s.Players, playerID)
+		logger.Info("Received move from %s (playerIdx=%d): row=%d col=%d", playerID, playerIdx, move.Row, move.Col)
+
+		if playerIdx == -1 {
+			logger.Warn("Move rejected: player %s not in player list", playerID)
+			continue
+		}
+
 		if playerIdx != s.Turn {
-			// not your turn
+			logger.Warn("Move rejected: not player's turn (playerIdx=%d turn=%d)", playerIdx, s.Turn)
 			continue
 		}
 
 		if move.Row < 0 || move.Row > 2 || move.Col < 0 || move.Col > 2 {
+			logger.Warn("Move rejected: out of bounds (%d,%d)", move.Row, move.Col)
 			continue
 		}
 
 		if s.Board[move.Row][move.Col] != "" {
+			logger.Warn("Move rejected: cell already occupied (%d,%d)", move.Row, move.Col)
 			continue
 		}
 
 		symbols := []string{"X", "O"}
 		if playerIdx < 0 || playerIdx >= len(symbols) {
+			logger.Warn("Move rejected: invalid player index %d", playerIdx)
 			continue
 		}
-		s.Board[move.Row][move.Col] = symbols[playerIdx]
 
+		// Apply move
+		s.Board[move.Row][move.Col] = symbols[playerIdx]
+		changed = true
+		logger.Info("Move applied for player %s -> %s at (%d,%d)", playerID, symbols[playerIdx], move.Row, move.Col)
+
+		// Check win/draw
 		if winner := checkWinner(s.Board); winner != "" {
 			s.Winner = winner
 			s.GameOver = true
+			logger.Info("Game over! Winner: %s", winner)
 		} else if fullBoard(s.Board) {
 			s.Winner = "draw"
 			s.GameOver = true
+			logger.Info("Game over! Draw")
 		} else {
 			s.Turn = 1 - s.Turn
+			logger.Info("Turn advanced to %d", s.Turn)
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Broadcast updated state to everyone
-	stateJSON, _ := json.Marshal(s)
-	if err := dispatcher.BroadcastMessage(OpState, stateJSON, nil, nil, true); err != nil {
-		logger.Error("BroadcastMessage failed: %v", err)
+	// If anything changed (or periodically if you want), broadcast updated state to everyone
+	if changed {
+		stateJSON, err := json.Marshal(s)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("Failed to marshal state: %v", err)
+		} else {
+			if err := dispatcher.BroadcastMessage(OpState, stateJSON, nil, nil, true); err != nil {
+				logger.Error("BroadcastMessage failed: %v", err)
+			} else {
+				logger.Info("Broadcasted updated state to players")
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	return s