diff --git a/lyra/poker.py b/lyra/poker.py
index b645564..6adfe4f 100644
--- a/lyra/poker.py
+++ b/lyra/poker.py
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ Schema:
   "game": "NLH" | "PLO" | ...,
   "stakes": "<e.g. 1/3, or null>",
   "hero_pos": "<UTG|UTG1|MP|LJ|HJ|CO|BTN|SB|BB, hero's position>",
-  "hero_cards": ["Rs", ...],            // rank+suit; suit one of s h d c; null if unknown
+  "hero_cards": ["As","Ax", ...],       // rank+suit (s/h/d/c); 'x' suit if unknown e.g. "Ax"; "x" for a fully unknown card
   "players": [                          // every player mentioned, incl. hero
     {"pos": "<position>", "stack": <number|null>, "name": <string|null>, "cards": [".."]|null}
   ],
@@ -230,8 +230,13 @@ Schema:
 }
 
 Rules: infer positions and street order sensibly. Amounts are plain numbers (no $). \
-Normalize cards like "Ah","Td","9s". Use null/omit for anything not stated. Stay faithful \
-to what's described — do not invent action that isn't implied."""
+NEVER invent suits or cards. A card is rank+suit where suit is one of s/h/d/c; if the suit \
+wasn't stated, use 'x' for the suit (e.g. "Ax","Kx","4x"); if a whole card wasn't stated, \
+use "x". Examples: "AA with the ace of spades" -> hero_cards ["As","Ax"]; "AK on an A4x \
+board" -> board ["Ax","4x","x"]. Each card is independent: a suit named for one card does \
+NOT apply to another — e.g. your hole "ace of spades" is a different card from a board ace \
+whose suit is unstated (that board ace is "Ax", not "As"). Use null/omit for non-card \
+details not stated. Stay faithful to what's described — do not invent action that isn't implied."""
 
 
 def _safe_json(s: str) -> dict | None:
diff --git a/lyra/web/static/hand.html b/lyra/web/static/hand.html
index 67197ca..60577ba 100644
--- a/lyra/web/static/hand.html
+++ b/lyra/web/static/hand.html
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
     .card .r{font-size:1rem;}
     .card.red{color:#c8102e;}
     .card.back{background:#2a3550;color:#2a3550;}
+    .card.unknown{background:#2a3550;color:#7c879e;font-size:1.2rem;}
+    .card .nosuit{color:#9aa3b5;}
 
     .seat{position:absolute;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);width:96px;text-align:center;
       background:rgba(13,16,22,.85);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:10px;padding:5px 4px;}
@@ -84,9 +86,12 @@
 
     function cardEl(code, sm){
       if(!code) return '';
-      const m = String(code).trim().match(/^(10|[2-9TJQKA])\s*([shdc])$/i);
-      if(!m) return `<span class="card${sm?' sm':''}">${esc(code)}</span>`;
+      const c = String(code).trim();
+      if(c.toLowerCase()==='x') return `<span class="card${sm?' sm':''} unknown">?</span>`;
+      const m = c.match(/^(10|[2-9TJQKA])\s*([shdcx])$/i);
+      if(!m) return `<span class="card${sm?' sm':''}">${esc(c)}</span>`;
       const r = m[1].toUpperCase().replace('10','T'); const s = m[2].toLowerCase();
+      if(s==='x') return `<span class="card${sm?' sm':''}"><span class="r">${r}</span><span class="nosuit">·</span></span>`;
       return `<span class="card${sm?' sm':''}${RED.has(s)?' red':''}"><span class="r">${r}</span><span>${SUIT[s]}</span></span>`;
     }
     const cards = (arr, sm) => (arr||[]).map(c=>cardEl(c,sm)).join('');