diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 41af5ba..5b2637d 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -52,6 +52,6 @@
     <p class="start">TAP TO START</p>
   </div>
 </div>
-<script type="module" src="main.js?v=15"></script>
+<script type="module" src="main.js?v=16"></script>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/render.js b/render.js
index 562ebbb..31e1598 100644
--- a/render.js
+++ b/render.js
@@ -316,8 +316,11 @@ export function render() {
   }
 
   const pal = palette(), pt = paletteT();
-  // stands: the generated crowd, drawn in columns so it can BOUNCE when it cheers
-  const standsBottom = proj(0, 0, 0).y - 12;
+  // stands: the generated crowd, drawn in columns so it can BOUNCE when it cheers.
+  // sit the ad strip flush on the court's back edge (the out-area quad below reaches z=-6);
+  // pinning to that projected line keeps the boards clear of the lawn in BOTH orientations
+  // (a fixed baseline offset over-/under-shoots because camF differs portrait vs landscape).
+  const standsBottom = proj(0, 0, -6).y;
   const adH = 14, crowdH = standsBottom - adH + 2;
   const crowdImg = SPR['x_crowd'];
   if (crowdImg) {