diff --git a/src/templates/apps/gameboard/_partials/_sea_stage.html b/src/templates/apps/gameboard/_partials/_sea_stage.html
index a576020..bdd161b 100644
--- a/src/templates/apps/gameboard/_partials/_sea_stage.html
+++ b/src/templates/apps/gameboard/_partials/_sea_stage.html
@@ -10,6 +10,13 @@
     <div class="sea-stage-backdrop"></div>
     <div class="sea-stage-content">
         <div class="sig-stage-card sea-stage-card">
+            {# Sprint A.7-polish — image-mode slot, populated by stage-card.js #}
+            {# `_setImageMode` from the drawn card's `image_url` payload field. #}
+            {# Hidden by default; CSS `.sig-stage-card.sig-stage-card--image`  #}
+            {# rule (lifted to top-level in A.5) flips visibility on/off. JS    #}
+            {# clears the inline `style="display:none"` when activating image  #}
+            {# mode (mirrors the my_sign.html stage-card scaffold contract).  #}
+            <img class="sig-stage-card-img" alt="" style="display:none">
             <div class="fan-card-corner fan-card-corner--tl">
                 <span class="fan-corner-rank"></span>
                 <i class="fa-solid stage-suit-icon" style="display:none"></i>