diff --git a/lyra/mind.py b/lyra/mind.py
index 8c0b90b..91b0261 100644
--- a/lyra/mind.py
+++ b/lyra/mind.py
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 
 from lyra import (
-    clock, config, llm, logbus, memory, modes, perceive, persona, scouting,
-    self_state, thoughts,
+    clock, config, llm, logbus, memory, modes, perceive, persona, poker, poker_prompts,
+    scouting, self_state, thoughts,
 )
 from lyra.llm import Backend, Message
 
@@ -153,8 +153,20 @@ def build_messages(session_id: str, user_msg: str,
     if inner:
         messages.append(inner)
 
-    # Mode card: how to behave *right now*. Talk mode has no card (persona is Talk).
-    if mode and mode.card:
+    # Mode framing: how to behave *right now*. Poker (poker_cash) is SHARDED — a lean
+    # always-on BASE plus ONE response-shape fragment chosen by classifying this message
+    # (replaces the old ~100-line monolithic card). Roster handles make the READ-vs-HAND
+    # split reliable; fetched fail-safe. Other modes use their single card.
+    if mode and mode.key == "poker_cash":
+        messages.append({"role": "system", "content": poker_prompts.BASE})
+        try:
+            handles = [r["name"] for r in poker.session_roster()]
+        except Exception:
+            handles = []
+        msg_type = poker_prompts.classify(user_msg, handles)
+        messages.append({"role": "system", "content": poker_prompts.fragment_for(msg_type)})
+        logbus.log("info", "poker turn classified", type=msg_type)
+    elif mode and mode.card:
         messages.append({"role": "system", "content": mode.card})
 
     # Mode awareness: she can offer to switch when the work clearly shifts (she decides
diff --git a/lyra/modes.py b/lyra/modes.py
index 134bbcd..ec52b6d 100644
--- a/lyra/modes.py
+++ b/lyra/modes.py
@@ -240,7 +240,10 @@ TALK = Mode(
 CASH = Mode(
     key="poker_cash",
     label="Poker",
-    card=_CASH_CARD,
+    # Poker mode is SHARDED at the pipeline (lyra.poker_prompts: BASE + a per-message
+    # fragment), so no monolithic card here. _CASH_CARD is kept below only as the source
+    # material the fragments were distilled from — superseded, safe to delete later.
+    card="",
     tools=_CASH_TOOLS,
 )
 
diff --git a/tests/test_perceive.py b/tests/test_perceive.py
index 0a6f4b9..4719f73 100644
--- a/tests/test_perceive.py
+++ b/tests/test_perceive.py
@@ -74,4 +74,32 @@ def test_mode_menu_note_suppressed_in_poker(mind):
     build = " ".join(m["content"] for m in mind.build_messages("s1", "let's refactor", mode=modes.get("build"))
                      if m["role"] == "system")
     assert "Your modes:" not in poker                # no "offer to switch" note at the table
-    assert "Your modes:" in build                    # still present in a non-poker mode
\ No newline at end of file
+    assert "Your modes:" in build                    # still present in a non-poker mode
+
+
+# --- Phase B: sharded poker prompt (BASE + one fragment, no monolith) ---
+
+def _poker_blob(mind, msg):
+    from lyra import modes
+    return " ".join(m["content"] for m in mind.build_messages("s1", msg, mode=modes.CASH)
+                    if m["role"] == "system")
+
+
+def test_poker_injects_base_plus_the_matching_fragment(mind):
+    blob = _poker_blob(mind, "I flopped a set with 99 on 9h4c2d and bet the turn")
+    assert "LOG FIRST" in blob                       # BASE is always on in poker
+    assert "MESSAGE TYPE: HAND" in blob              # the fragment for THIS message
+    assert "MESSAGE TYPE: STATUS" not in blob        # and not the others
+    assert "MESSAGE TYPE: READ" not in blob
+
+
+def test_poker_fragment_changes_with_message_type(mind):
+    status = _poker_blob(mind, "it's 11:50pm, waiting for a seat")
+    assert "MESSAGE TYPE: STATUS" in status and "MESSAGE TYPE: HAND" not in status
+
+
+def test_poker_monolith_no_longer_injected(mind):
+    from lyra import modes
+    blob = _poker_blob(mind, "stack 350")
+    assert "You move between two registers" not in blob   # the old _CASH_CARD opener is gone
+    assert modes.CASH.card == ""                           # card sharded out
\ No newline at end of file