diff --git a/backend/utils/player-count-checker.js b/backend/utils/player-count-checker.js
index acbb4a3..15d8f00 100644
--- a/backend/utils/player-count-checker.js
+++ b/backend/utils/player-count-checker.js
@@ -406,24 +406,20 @@ async function startPlayerCountCheck(sessionId, gameId, roomCode, maxPlayers = 8
       return false;
     }
 
-    // If full, we know the count immediately
-    if (roomStatus.full) {
-      console.log(`[Player Count] Room is FULL - ${roomStatus.maxPlayers} players`);
-      updatePlayerCount(sessionId, gameId, roomStatus.maxPlayers, 'completed');
-      stopPlayerCountCheck(sessionId, gameId);
-      return false;
-    }
-
     // If locked, game has started - ready to watch
     if (roomStatus.locked) {
       console.log(`[Player Count] Room is LOCKED - game in progress, starting watch`);
-      // Return both status and real maxPlayers from Jackbox
       return { ready: true, maxPlayers: roomStatus.maxPlayers };
     }
 
-    // Not ready yet
-    console.log(`[Player Count] Room not ready yet (lobby still open)`);
-    return null;
+    // Log if full but not yet started
+    if (roomStatus.full) {
+      console.log(`[Player Count] Room is FULL but not locked yet - waiting for game start`);
+    } else {
+      console.log(`[Player Count] Room not ready yet (lobby still open)`);
+    }
+    
+    return null; // Not ready, keep polling
   };
 
   // Wait 10 seconds before first check