diff --git a/src/apps/epic/static/apps/epic/burger-btn.js b/src/apps/epic/static/apps/epic/burger-btn.js
index e91b9be..252e8df 100644
--- a/src/apps/epic/static/apps/epic/burger-btn.js
+++ b/src/apps/epic/static/apps/epic/burger-btn.js
@@ -79,14 +79,21 @@
             else _open();
         }, { signal: sig });
 
-        // Delegated click on the fan — flash --priRd glow twice when an
-        // INACTIVE sub-btn is clicked (its feature isn't wired yet). Active
-        // sub-btns will route to their per-feature handlers in later sprints.
+        // Delegated click on the fan:
+        //   • INACTIVE sub-btn → flash the --priRd glow twice (no real action
+        //     bound yet for that surface).
+        //   • ACTIVE sub-btn → close the burger fan so the surface's own
+        //     handler (page-level direct listener on the sub-btn) takes over
+        //     w. a clean visual. The per-page handler fires BEFORE this
+        //     delegated one (target-phase before bubble-up), so the action
+        //     already kicked off by the time we close.
         fan.addEventListener('click', function (e) {
             e.stopPropagation();
             var subBtn = e.target.closest('.burger-fan-btn');
             if (!subBtn) return;
-            if (!subBtn.classList.contains('active')) {
+            if (subBtn.classList.contains('active')) {
+                _close();
+            } else {
                 _flashInactive(subBtn);
             }
         }, { signal: sig });
diff --git a/src/apps/gameboard/tests/integrated/test_views.py b/src/apps/gameboard/tests/integrated/test_views.py
index fa5307d..9f7f5c1 100644
--- a/src/apps/gameboard/tests/integrated/test_views.py
+++ b/src/apps/gameboard/tests/integrated/test_views.py
@@ -1070,10 +1070,11 @@ class MySeaViewTest(TestCase):
             'id="id_sea_btn" type="button" class="burger-fan-btn active"',
         )
 
-    def test_sea_btn_returns_to_inactive_when_hand_complete(self):
-        """3-card spread w. all 3 positions drawn → hand_complete True →
-        sea_btn returns to inactive (the AUTO DRAW btn becomes GATE VIEW
-        + the deck FLIP gets .btn-disabled at this moment)."""
+    def test_sea_btn_stays_active_when_hand_complete(self):
+        """Sea_btn STAYS active even after the hand is complete — DEL +
+        GATE VIEW live inside the modal so the user has to be able to
+        reopen it after all cards land. Earlier iteration deactivated on
+        hand_complete; reverted 2026-05-26 to unblock those affordances."""
         from apps.epic.models import personal_sig_cards, TarotCard
         from apps.gameboard.models import MySeaDraw
         sig = personal_sig_cards(self.user)[0]
@@ -1093,17 +1094,18 @@ class MySeaViewTest(TestCase):
             ],
         )
         response = self.client.get(reverse("my_sea"))
-        # active class absent
         self.assertContains(
             response,
-            '<button id="id_sea_btn" type="button" class="burger-fan-btn" aria-label="Sea">',
+            'id="id_sea_btn" type="button" class="burger-fan-btn active"',
         )
 
     def test_gear_nvm_navs_to_my_sea_landing_on_picker_phase(self):
         """Picker-phase NVM = "back out of the spread to the table hex" →
-        /gameboard/my-sea/ (the landing). User-spec'd 2026-05-26 so the
-        spread/crucifix exit doesn't eject all the way to /gameboard/.
-        Picker phase triggers on a non-empty hand (see views.py:277)."""
+        /gameboard/my-sea/?phase=landing (the landing w. CONT DRAW). The
+        `?phase=landing` override is load-bearing: without it the server's
+        `hand_non_empty` branch would re-render the picker on the next GET,
+        looping the user back into the spread. With it, the landing renders
+        a CONT DRAW btn that re-enters the picker on click."""
         from apps.epic.models import personal_sig_cards, TarotCard
         from apps.gameboard.models import MySeaDraw
         sig = personal_sig_cards(self.user)[0]
@@ -1117,7 +1119,68 @@ class MySeaViewTest(TestCase):
                    "reversed": False, "polarity": "gravity"}],
         )
         response = self.client.get(reverse("my_sea"))
-        self.assertIn("location.href='/gameboard/my-sea/'", response.content.decode())
+        self.assertIn(
+            "location.href='/gameboard/my-sea/?phase=landing'",
+            response.content.decode(),
+        )
+
+    def test_force_landing_renders_cont_draw_btn_mid_draw(self):
+        """`?phase=landing` query param forces the landing template even when
+        a non-empty hand exists. The landing renders CONT DRAW (not FREE
+        DRAW / PAID DRAW / GATE VIEW) so the user can re-enter the picker."""
+        from apps.epic.models import personal_sig_cards, TarotCard
+        from apps.gameboard.models import MySeaDraw
+        sig = personal_sig_cards(self.user)[0]
+        self.user.significator = sig
+        self.user.save(update_fields=["significator"])
+        card = TarotCard.objects.exclude(pk=sig.pk).first()
+        MySeaDraw.objects.create(
+            user=self.user, spread="situation-action-outcome",
+            significator_id=sig.id,
+            hand=[{"position": "lay", "card_id": card.id,
+                   "reversed": False, "polarity": "gravity"}],
+        )
+        response = self.client.get(reverse("my_sea") + "?phase=landing")
+        self.assertContains(response, 'id="id_my_sea_cont_draw_btn"')
+        self.assertContains(response, "CONT")
+        self.assertNotContains(response, 'id="id_draw_sea_btn"')
+
+    def test_force_landing_hides_cont_draw_when_no_active_draw(self):
+        """`?phase=landing` w/o an active draw row → CONT DRAW absent;
+        sig'd user w. no draw still sees FREE DRAW. No regression to the
+        landing's default 3-way state machine."""
+        from apps.epic.models import personal_sig_cards
+        sig = personal_sig_cards(self.user)[0]
+        self.user.significator = sig
+        self.user.save(update_fields=["significator"])
+        response = self.client.get(reverse("my_sea") + "?phase=landing")
+        self.assertNotContains(response, 'id="id_my_sea_cont_draw_btn"')
+        self.assertContains(response, 'id="id_draw_sea_btn"')
+
+    def test_force_landing_hides_cont_draw_when_hand_complete(self):
+        """`?phase=landing` w. a complete hand → CONT DRAW absent (nothing
+        to continue). GATE VIEW takes over via the existing landing state
+        machine (in_cooldown=True + no deposit + no paid-through)."""
+        from apps.epic.models import personal_sig_cards, TarotCard
+        from apps.gameboard.models import MySeaDraw
+        sig = personal_sig_cards(self.user)[0]
+        self.user.significator = sig
+        self.user.save(update_fields=["significator"])
+        cards = list(TarotCard.objects.exclude(pk=sig.pk)[:3])
+        MySeaDraw.objects.create(
+            user=self.user, spread="situation-action-outcome",
+            significator_id=sig.id,
+            hand=[
+                {"position": "lay", "card_id": cards[0].id,
+                 "reversed": False, "polarity": "gravity"},
+                {"position": "cover", "card_id": cards[1].id,
+                 "reversed": False, "polarity": "gravity"},
+                {"position": "crown", "card_id": cards[2].id,
+                 "reversed": False, "polarity": "gravity"},
+            ],
+        )
+        response = self.client.get(reverse("my_sea") + "?phase=landing")
+        self.assertNotContains(response, 'id="id_my_sea_cont_draw_btn"')
 
     def test_sea_stage_stat_block_renders_rank_suit_chip_per_face(self):
         """Sprint A.7.5 — `_sea_stage.html` modal scaffold (included from
diff --git a/src/apps/gameboard/views.py b/src/apps/gameboard/views.py
index 9ff87eb..3319e87 100644
--- a/src/apps/gameboard/views.py
+++ b/src/apps/gameboard/views.py
@@ -273,8 +273,19 @@ def my_sea(request):
     #     cycle (deposit reserved OR paid-through credit set) — covers
     #     the `my_sea_paid_draw` redirect + lets the PAID DRAW landing
     #     button send the user back to the picker via a GET.
+    # `?phase=landing` is the explicit ESCAPE HATCH: it forces the
+    # landing template even when a non-empty hand exists, so the gear-
+    # menu NVM (mid-draw) can dump the user back to the table hex
+    # instead of just looping them back into the picker. The landing
+    # then renders a CONT DRAW btn that re-enters the picker.
     phase_param = request.GET.get("phase") == "picker"
-    show_picker = hand_non_empty or (phase_param and show_paid_draw)
+    force_landing = request.GET.get("phase") == "landing"
+    show_picker = (hand_non_empty or (phase_param and show_paid_draw)) \
+                  and not force_landing
+    show_cont_draw = (
+        force_landing and active_draw is not None
+        and not active_draw.is_hand_complete
+    )
 
     # Per-position lookup for the template — keyed by the position slug
     # ("lay", "cover", ...) so each `.sea-pos-<name>` block can render
@@ -348,11 +359,14 @@ def my_sea(request):
         "next_free_draw_at": next_free_draw_at,
         "hand_complete": hand_complete,
         "show_picker": show_picker,
+        "show_cont_draw": show_cont_draw,
         # Sub-btn .active flag for the burger fan — Sea sub-btn lights up
-        # when the user is in the picker phase w. cards still to draw.
-        # As soon as hand_complete flips True (AUTO DRAW → GATE VIEW + the
-        # deck FLIP gets .btn-disabled) the Sea sub-btn returns to inactive.
-        "sea_btn_active": show_picker and not hand_complete,
+        # for the whole picker phase + STAYS active even after hand_complete
+        # so the user can still open the modal to reach DEL + the GATE VIEW
+        # btn (both live inside the modal). Earlier iteration tied this to
+        # `show_picker and not hand_complete`; that locked DEL + GATE VIEW
+        # behind an inactive btn once all cards landed.
+        "sea_btn_active": show_picker,
         "show_paid_draw": show_paid_draw,
         "show_gate_view": show_gate_view,
         "deposit_reserved": deposit_reserved,
diff --git a/src/functional_tests/test_game_my_sea.py b/src/functional_tests/test_game_my_sea.py
index 03bec9d..c5aa615 100644
--- a/src/functional_tests/test_game_my_sea.py
+++ b/src/functional_tests/test_game_my_sea.py
@@ -23,6 +23,34 @@ def _count_filled_slots(picker):
     )
 
 
+def _open_spread_modal(test):
+    """Open #id_sea_spread_modal so subsequent interactions w. in-modal
+    selectors (`.sea-select*`, `#id_sea_action_btn`, `#id_sea_del`) reach
+    a visible target. Sprint 2026-05-26 wrapped the sea-form-col in a
+    modal triggered by the burger fan's Sea sub-btn; tests that touched
+    those selectors directly now have to open the modal first.
+
+    Module-level so MySeaSpreadFormTest + MySeaCardDrawTest +
+    MySeaLockHandTest can all call it w/o duplicating the helper.
+
+    JS .click() is used (not Selenium .click) because the fan sub-btns
+    spend ~0.25s mid-animation stacked at the burger centre — Selenium
+    would hit a click-intercept by whichever sub-btn is z-topmost during
+    the transform. execute_script bypasses the visual hit-test."""
+    burger_btn = test.browser.find_element(By.ID, "id_burger_btn")
+    test.browser.execute_script("arguments[0].click()", burger_btn)
+    sea_btn = test.wait_for(
+        lambda: test.browser.find_element(By.ID, "id_sea_btn")
+    )
+    test.browser.execute_script("arguments[0].click()", sea_btn)
+    test.wait_for(
+        lambda: test.assertIsNone(
+            test.browser.find_element(By.ID, "id_sea_spread_modal")
+                .get_attribute("hidden")
+        )
+    )
+
+
 def _seed_gameboard_applets():
     """My Sea + the rest of the gameboard applets so /gameboard/ renders
     without missing-applet errors during the applet-side assertions.
@@ -577,6 +605,7 @@ class MySeaSpreadFormTest(FunctionalTest):
             "escape-velocity":          ALL_POSITIONS,
         }
         picker = self._enter_picker_phase()
+        _open_spread_modal(self)  # combobox lives in the spread modal
         cross  = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".my-sea-cross")
         combo  = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "[data-combobox]")
 
@@ -627,6 +656,7 @@ class MySeaSpreadFormTest(FunctionalTest):
                                          "cross": "Cross",   "loom":  "Before",  "lay":   "Beneath"},
         }
         picker = self._enter_picker_phase()
+        _open_spread_modal(self)  # combobox lives in the spread modal
         combo  = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "[data-combobox]")
 
         def _pick(value):
@@ -844,17 +874,29 @@ class MySeaCardDrawTest(FunctionalTest):
         transitions it to GATE VIEW (`data-state="gate-view"`, label =
         "GATE VIEW")."""
         picker = self._enter_picker_phase()
+        _open_spread_modal(self)  # action btn lives in the spread modal
         action_btn = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "#id_sea_action_btn")
         self.assertEqual(action_btn.get_attribute("data-state"), "auto-draw")
-        self.assertIn("AUTO", action_btn.text.upper())
+        # innerText (via JS) works on hidden elements; selenium .text would
+        # return "" once we close the modal below.
+        self.assertIn("AUTO", self.browser.execute_script(
+            "return arguments[0].innerText", action_btn).upper())
+        # Close the modal so the deck-stack FLIP clicks below aren't
+        # intercepted by the modal backdrop (which covers the whole
+        # viewport while open).
+        self.browser.execute_script(
+            "document.getElementById('id_sea_spread_modal').setAttribute('hidden', '')"
+        )
         self._draw_one(picker, "levity")
         self._draw_one(picker, "levity")
         self._draw_one(picker, "gravity")
         # Third draw completes the SAO hand — action btn becomes GATE VIEW.
+        # data-state attribute is readable even while the modal is hidden.
         self.wait_for(
             lambda: self.assertEqual(action_btn.get_attribute("data-state"), "gate-view")
         )
-        self.assertIn("GATE", action_btn.text.upper())
+        self.assertIn("GATE", self.browser.execute_script(
+            "return arguments[0].innerText", action_btn).upper())
 
     # ── Test 5b — AUTO DRAW slot click reopens preview modal ────────────────
 
@@ -880,7 +922,12 @@ class MySeaCardDrawTest(FunctionalTest):
         self._draw_one(picker, "levity")
         self.assertEqual(_count_filled_slots(picker), 1)
 
-        # AUTO DRAW the remaining 2 (cover + crown).
+        # AUTO DRAW the remaining 2 (cover + crown). Reopen modal —
+        # the first draw above closed it via AUTO DRAW's modal-close
+        # capture handler... actually no, manual FLIP doesn't close the
+        # modal. But the modal may have been auto-dismissed by some
+        # later interaction; opening defensively keeps the test robust.
+        _open_spread_modal(self)
         action_btn = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "#id_sea_action_btn")
         action_btn.click()
         confirm = self.wait_for(
@@ -1032,7 +1079,7 @@ class MySeaCardDrawTest(FunctionalTest):
         LOCK HAND `.btn-primary`, the DEL `.btn-danger`, and the
         reversal-percentage caption (default 25%)."""
         picker = self._enter_picker_phase()
-        # DECKS — two stacks
+        # DECKS — two stacks (stay on page, OUTSIDE the spread modal).
         stacks = picker.find_elements(By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".sea-deck-stack")
         self.assertEqual(len(stacks), 2)
         names = "|".join(
@@ -1041,6 +1088,9 @@ class MySeaCardDrawTest(FunctionalTest):
         )
         self.assertIn("GRAVITY", names)
         self.assertIn("LEVITY", names)
+        # Action btn + DEL + reversal hint live INSIDE the spread modal —
+        # open it before reading their .text (hidden elements return "").
+        _open_spread_modal(self)
         # Iter-4c — action btn (AUTO DRAW / GATE VIEW slot) + DEL.
         action_btn = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "#id_sea_action_btn")
         self.assertIn("AUTO", action_btn.text.upper())
@@ -1293,6 +1343,7 @@ class MySeaLockHandTest(FunctionalTest):
                 By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".my-sea-page[data-phase='picker']"
             )
         )
+        _open_spread_modal(self)  # del btn lives in the spread modal
         delbtn = picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "#id_sea_del")
         delbtn.click()
         portal = self.wait_for(
@@ -1324,6 +1375,7 @@ class MySeaLockHandTest(FunctionalTest):
                 By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".my-sea-page[data-phase='picker']"
             )
         )
+        _open_spread_modal(self)  # del btn lives in the spread modal
         picker.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "#id_sea_del").click()
         confirm = self.wait_for(
             lambda: self.browser.find_element(
diff --git a/src/static_src/scss/_gameboard.scss b/src/static_src/scss/_gameboard.scss
index 9045fa7..feae6fc 100644
--- a/src/static_src/scss/_gameboard.scss
+++ b/src/static_src/scss/_gameboard.scss
@@ -710,6 +710,72 @@ body.page-gameboard {
     cursor: default;
 }
 
+// ── My Sea spread modal (Phase 2 of the burger Sea sub-btn rollout) ──
+//
+// Holds the .sea-form-col chrome (spread combobox + AUTO DRAW + DEL).
+// Hidden by default via the `hidden` attribute; JS removes the attr to
+// open. Backdrop is click-to-dismiss, Escape also closes (handlers in
+// the inline <script> at the bottom of my_sea.html).
+.my-sea-spread-modal {
+    position: fixed;
+    inset: 0;
+    z-index: 320;            // above burger (314), kit (318), bud (318), dialog (316)
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    pointer-events: none;    // children re-enable
+
+    &[hidden] {
+        // `hidden` attr would already display:none — kept explicit so
+        // any later cascade still respects the closed state.
+        display: none;
+    }
+
+    &__backdrop {
+        position: absolute;
+        inset: 0;
+        background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
+        backdrop-filter: blur(0.25rem);
+        pointer-events: auto;
+    }
+
+    &__panel {
+        position: relative;
+        z-index: 1;
+        background: rgba(var(--priUser), 1);
+        border: 0.15rem solid rgba(var(--secUser), 1);
+        border-radius: 0.75rem;
+        box-shadow:
+            0 0 1rem rgba(var(--secUser), 0.5),
+            0.15rem 0.15rem 0.5rem rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+        padding: 1.25rem;
+        pointer-events: auto;
+        max-width: 90vw;
+
+        .sea-form-col {
+            // Already-styled .sea-form-col container handles internal layout.
+            // Drop the fixed width inside the modal — modal panel sizes to
+            // content + the form is the content.
+            width: auto;
+            min-width: 16rem;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+// ── Relocated deck-stacks (Phase 2) ──────────────────────────────────
+//
+// .sea-stacks was a child of .sea-form-col; now lives on the page in
+// .my-sea-stacks-wrap so it stays visible when the spread modal is
+// closed. Pin to the bottom-right of the aperture (above the bud +
+// burger btns, below the modal).
+.my-sea-stacks-wrap {
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 4.5rem;          // clear of the bud/burger pair at bottom
+    right: 1rem;
+    z-index: 5;              // above .my-sea-cross, below modal (320)
+    pointer-events: auto;
+}
+
 // ── Iter 4b: Brief banner + DEL guard portal ─────────────────────────────────
 // Both reuse shared chrome: the Brief is `.note-banner` from note.js
 // (portaled atop h2 w. Gaussian glass); the DEL guard is `#id_guard_portal`
diff --git a/src/templates/apps/gameboard/my_sea.html b/src/templates/apps/gameboard/my_sea.html
index fabb680..3536f66 100644
--- a/src/templates/apps/gameboard/my_sea.html
+++ b/src/templates/apps/gameboard/my_sea.html
@@ -52,7 +52,16 @@
                             <div class="table-hex-border">
                                 <div class="table-hex">
                                     <div class="table-center">
-                                        {% if show_paid_draw %}
+                                        {% if show_cont_draw %}
+                                            {# CONT DRAW — user came to the landing via the gear-     #}
+                                            {# menu NVM mid-draw (?phase=landing). The picker hand    #}
+                                            {# is non-empty + incomplete; CONT DRAW re-enters the     #}
+                                            {# picker (a fresh GET w.o. ?phase=landing falls through  #}
+                                            {# to show_picker=True via the hand_non_empty branch).    #}
+                                            <a id="id_my_sea_cont_draw_btn"
+                                               href="{% url 'my_sea' %}"
+                                               class="btn btn-primary">CONT<br>DRAW</a>
+                                        {% elif show_paid_draw %}
                                             {# PAID DRAW — two underlying states collapse into one    #}
                                             {# button (user-spec 2026-05-23):                          #}
                                             {#   • `deposit_reserved` → POST commits the deposited     #}
@@ -166,120 +175,122 @@
                     </div>
                 </div>
 
-                {# Form col — SPREAD combobox + DECKS swatches + LOCK    #}
-                {# HAND / DEL. DRY w. gameroom `_sea_overlay.html`'s     #}
-                {# `.sea-form-col` shape; my-sea-specific differences:   #}
-                {# (a) 6 spread options under 2 section dividers,        #}
-                {# (b) default = situation-action-outcome (3-card),     #}
-                {# (c) no `.sea-modal-header` (the gateway IS the page). #}
-                <div class="sea-form-col my-sea-form-col">
-                    <div class="sea-form-main">
-                        <div class="sea-field">
-                            <label for="id_sea_spread" id="id_sea_spread_label">Spread</label>
-                            <p class="sea-reversal-hint">{{ reversals_pct|default:25 }}% reversals</p>
-                            {# autocomplete="off" opts the hidden input out of   #}
-                            {# Firefox's form-history autofill, which otherwise #}
-                            {# restores the LAST value on soft reload (F5).     #}
-                            {# Without this, combobox.js's `select(i)` short-   #}
-                            {# circuits its change-event dispatch when the      #}
-                            {# user re-picks the value Firefox already restored #}
-                            {# → my-sea's sync() never fires → data-spread on   #}
-                            {# .my-sea-cross stays stuck on SAO default.        #}
-                            <input type="hidden" id="id_sea_spread" name="spread"
-                                   value="{{ default_spread }}" autocomplete="off">
-                            <div class="sea-select"
-                                 data-combobox
-                                 data-combobox-target="id_sea_spread"
-                                 role="combobox"
-                                 aria-expanded="false"
-                                 aria-haspopup="listbox"
-                                 aria-labelledby="id_sea_spread_label"
-                                 tabindex="0">
-                                <span class="sea-select-current">{% if default_spread == 'past-present-future' %}Past, Present, Future{% elif default_spread == 'mind-body-spirit' %}Mind, Body, Spirit{% elif default_spread == 'desire-obstacle-solution' %}Desire, Obstacle, Solution{% elif default_spread == 'waite-smith' %}Celtic Cross, Waite-Smith{% elif default_spread == 'escape-velocity' %}Celtic Cross, Escape Velocity{% else %}Situation, Action, Outcome{% endif %}</span>
-                                <span class="sea-select-arrow" aria-hidden="true">▾</span>
-                                <ul class="sea-select-list" role="listbox">
-                                    <li role="presentation" class="sea-select-divider">3-card spreads</li>
-                                    <li role="option" data-value="past-present-future"      aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'past-present-future' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Past, Present, Future</li>
-                                    <li role="option" data-value="situation-action-outcome" aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'situation-action-outcome' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Situation, Action, Outcome</li>
-                                    <li role="option" data-value="mind-body-spirit"         aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'mind-body-spirit' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Mind, Body, Spirit</li>
-                                    <li role="option" data-value="desire-obstacle-solution" aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'desire-obstacle-solution' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Desire, Obstacle, Solution</li>
-                                    <li role="presentation" class="sea-select-divider">6-card spreads</li>
-                                    <li role="option" data-value="waite-smith"     aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'waite-smith' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Celtic Cross, Waite-Smith</li>
-                                    <li role="option" data-value="escape-velocity" aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'escape-velocity' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Celtic Cross, Escape Velocity</li>
-                                </ul>
+                {# Deck-stack column — STAYS on the picker page (out of the   #}
+                {# modal) so the FLIP affordance + count remain visible while  #}
+                {# the spread modal is closed. Wrapped in `.my-sea-stacks-wrap`#}
+                {# so SCSS can pin it bottom-right of the aperture.            #}
+                {#                                                              #}
+                {# Sprint A.7-polish — deck-stack rendering depends on the     #}
+                {# equipped deck's polarization. Polarized (Earthman) keeps    #}
+                {# dual gravity/levity stacks; non-polarized (Minchiate, RWS)  #}
+                {# collapses to a single unnamed stack (DECKS → DECK).         #}
+                {# FLIP btn picks up `.btn-disabled` once hand_complete.       #}
+                <div class="my-sea-stacks-wrap">
+                    {% if request.user.equipped_deck.is_polarized %}
+                    <div class="sea-stacks">
+                        <span class="sea-stacks-label">DECKS</span>
+                        <div class="sea-deck-stack sea-deck-stack--gravity">
+                            <div class="sea-stack-face">
+                                <button class="btn btn-reveal sea-stack-ok{% if hand_complete %} btn-disabled{% endif %}" type="button">{% if hand_complete %}&times;{% else %}FLIP{% endif %}</button>
                             </div>
+                            <span class="sea-stack-name">Gravity</span>
                         </div>
-
-                        {# Sprint A.7-polish — deck-stack rendering depends on  #}
-                        {# the equipped deck's polarization. Polarized decks    #}
-                        {# (Earthman) keep the dual gravity + levity stacks +   #}
-                        {# named labels — those are the two halves of a 6-      #}
-                        {# segment deck. Non-polarized decks (Minchiate, RWS)   #}
-                        {# collapse to a single unnamed stack (DECKS → DECK):   #}
-                        {# polarity has no meaning at the deck level, so the    #}
-                        {# split labels would mislead. user spec 2026-05-25 PM. #}
-                        {# Critical: this collapse is my_sea-ONLY — room.html   #}
-                        {# keeps the dual layout since multiple gamers contribute #}
-                        {# (each might bring a different polarization).         #}
-                        {# FLIP btn picks up `.btn-disabled` once the hand is  #}
-                        {# complete — visual signal that no more draws remain. #}
-                        {# JS `_setComplete(on)` toggles the same class on    #}
-                        {# live transition (last-card landed).                #}
-                        {% if request.user.equipped_deck.is_polarized %}
-                        <div class="sea-stacks">
-                            <span class="sea-stacks-label">DECKS</span>
-                            <div class="sea-deck-stack sea-deck-stack--gravity">
-                                <div class="sea-stack-face">
-                                    <button class="btn btn-reveal sea-stack-ok{% if hand_complete %} btn-disabled{% endif %}" type="button">{% if hand_complete %}&times;{% else %}FLIP{% endif %}</button>
-                                </div>
-                                <span class="sea-stack-name">Gravity</span>
-                            </div>
-                            <div class="sea-deck-stack sea-deck-stack--levity">
-                                <div class="sea-stack-face">
-                                    <button class="btn btn-reveal sea-stack-ok{% if hand_complete %} btn-disabled{% endif %}" type="button">{% if hand_complete %}&times;{% else %}FLIP{% endif %}</button>
-                                </div>
-                                <span class="sea-stack-name">Levity</span>
+                        <div class="sea-deck-stack sea-deck-stack--levity">
+                            <div class="sea-stack-face">
+                                <button class="btn btn-reveal sea-stack-ok{% if hand_complete %} btn-disabled{% endif %}" type="button">{% if hand_complete %}&times;{% else %}FLIP{% endif %}</button>
                             </div>
+                            <span class="sea-stack-name">Levity</span>
                         </div>
-                        {% else %}
-                        <div class="sea-stacks sea-stacks--single">
-                            <span class="sea-stacks-label">DECK</span>
-                            <div class="sea-deck-stack sea-deck-stack--single">
-                                <div class="sea-stack-face">
-                                    {% if request.user.equipped_deck.has_card_images %}
-                                    <img class="sea-stack-face-img" src="{{ request.user.equipped_deck.back_image_url }}" alt="">
-                                    {% endif %}
-                                    <button class="btn btn-reveal sea-stack-ok{% if hand_complete %} btn-disabled{% endif %}" type="button">{% if hand_complete %}&times;{% else %}FLIP{% endif %}</button>
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                        {% endif %}
                     </div>
+                    {% else %}
+                    <div class="sea-stacks sea-stacks--single">
+                        <span class="sea-stacks-label">DECK</span>
+                        <div class="sea-deck-stack sea-deck-stack--single">
+                            <div class="sea-stack-face">
+                                {% if request.user.equipped_deck.has_card_images %}
+                                <img class="sea-stack-face-img" src="{{ request.user.equipped_deck.back_image_url }}" alt="">
+                                {% endif %}
+                                <button class="btn btn-reveal sea-stack-ok{% if hand_complete %} btn-disabled{% endif %}" type="button">{% if hand_complete %}&times;{% else %}FLIP{% endif %}</button>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    {% endif %}
+                </div>
 
-                    <div class="sea-form-actions">
-                        {# Iter 4c — LOCK HAND replaced by AUTO DRAW (mid-draw) #}
-                        {# / GATE VIEW (hand complete). Same button slot; JS    #}
-                        {# transitions label + behavior + `data-state` when     #}
-                        {# the final card lands. AUTO DRAW opens a guard portal #}
-                        {# ("Auto deal cards?") + POSTs the remaining hand in   #}
-                        {# one shot so a navigate-away mid-animation still      #}
-                        {# persists. GATE VIEW navigates to the Sprint-6 gate-  #}
-                        {# keeper (currently a 404 stub).                       #}
-                        <button type="button"
-                                id="id_sea_action_btn"
-                                class="btn btn-primary"
-                                data-state="{% if hand_complete %}gate-view{% else %}auto-draw{% endif %}"
-                                data-gate-url="{% url 'my_sea_gate' %}">{% if hand_complete %}GATE<br>VIEW{% else %}AUTO<br>DRAW{% endif %}</button>
-                        {# DEL gates on whether ANY card has been drawn (user #}
-                        {# spec 2026-05-26): pre-first-draw it's disabled; as #}
-                        {# soon as `saved_by_position` has at least one entry #}
-                        {# the user can DEL the in-progress hand. `&times;`   #}
-                        {# is the disabled-state label (parity w. game-kit's  #}
-                        {# DON/DOFF disabled convention). JS `_setHasDrawn`   #}
-                        {# swaps text + class in lockstep w. live deposits.  #}
-                        <button type="button"
-                                id="id_sea_del"
-                                class="btn btn-danger{% if not saved_by_position %} btn-disabled{% endif %}">{% if saved_by_position %}DEL{% else %}&times;{% endif %}</button>
+                {# Spread modal — opens on #id_sea_btn click (burger fan).     #}
+                {# Contains the SPREAD combobox + AUTO DRAW + DEL btns. Closed #}
+                {# by default (hidden attr); JS toggles. AUTO DRAW closes the  #}
+                {# modal then runs the existing draw flow. Click backdrop or   #}
+                {# press Escape to dismiss. Deck stacks live OUTSIDE so the    #}
+                {# FLIP btn stays usable when the modal is closed.             #}
+                <div id="id_sea_spread_modal" class="my-sea-spread-modal" hidden>
+                    <div class="my-sea-spread-modal__backdrop"></div>
+                    <div class="my-sea-spread-modal__panel">
+                        <div class="sea-form-col my-sea-form-col">
+                            <div class="sea-form-main">
+                                <div class="sea-field">
+                                    <label for="id_sea_spread" id="id_sea_spread_label">Spread</label>
+                                    <p class="sea-reversal-hint">{{ reversals_pct|default:25 }}% reversals</p>
+                                    {# autocomplete="off" opts the hidden input out of   #}
+                                    {# Firefox's form-history autofill, which otherwise #}
+                                    {# restores the LAST value on soft reload (F5).     #}
+                                    {# Without this, combobox.js's `select(i)` short-   #}
+                                    {# circuits its change-event dispatch when the      #}
+                                    {# user re-picks the value Firefox already restored #}
+                                    {# → my-sea's sync() never fires → data-spread on   #}
+                                    {# .my-sea-cross stays stuck on SAO default.        #}
+                                    <input type="hidden" id="id_sea_spread" name="spread"
+                                           value="{{ default_spread }}" autocomplete="off">
+                                    <div class="sea-select"
+                                         data-combobox
+                                         data-combobox-target="id_sea_spread"
+                                         role="combobox"
+                                         aria-expanded="false"
+                                         aria-haspopup="listbox"
+                                         aria-labelledby="id_sea_spread_label"
+                                         tabindex="0">
+                                        <span class="sea-select-current">{% if default_spread == 'past-present-future' %}Past, Present, Future{% elif default_spread == 'mind-body-spirit' %}Mind, Body, Spirit{% elif default_spread == 'desire-obstacle-solution' %}Desire, Obstacle, Solution{% elif default_spread == 'waite-smith' %}Celtic Cross, Waite-Smith{% elif default_spread == 'escape-velocity' %}Celtic Cross, Escape Velocity{% else %}Situation, Action, Outcome{% endif %}</span>
+                                        <span class="sea-select-arrow" aria-hidden="true">▾</span>
+                                        <ul class="sea-select-list" role="listbox">
+                                            <li role="presentation" class="sea-select-divider">3-card spreads</li>
+                                            <li role="option" data-value="past-present-future"      aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'past-present-future' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Past, Present, Future</li>
+                                            <li role="option" data-value="situation-action-outcome" aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'situation-action-outcome' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Situation, Action, Outcome</li>
+                                            <li role="option" data-value="mind-body-spirit"         aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'mind-body-spirit' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Mind, Body, Spirit</li>
+                                            <li role="option" data-value="desire-obstacle-solution" aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'desire-obstacle-solution' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Desire, Obstacle, Solution</li>
+                                            <li role="presentation" class="sea-select-divider">6-card spreads</li>
+                                            <li role="option" data-value="waite-smith"     aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'waite-smith' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Celtic Cross, Waite-Smith</li>
+                                            <li role="option" data-value="escape-velocity" aria-selected="{% if default_spread == 'escape-velocity' %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}">Celtic Cross, Escape Velocity</li>
+                                        </ul>
+                                    </div>
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+
+                            <div class="sea-form-actions">
+                                {# Iter 4c — LOCK HAND replaced by AUTO DRAW (mid-draw) #}
+                                {# / GATE VIEW (hand complete). Same button slot; JS    #}
+                                {# transitions label + behavior + `data-state` when     #}
+                                {# the final card lands. AUTO DRAW opens a guard portal #}
+                                {# ("Auto deal cards?") + POSTs the remaining hand in   #}
+                                {# one shot so a navigate-away mid-animation still      #}
+                                {# persists. GATE VIEW navigates to the Sprint-6 gate-  #}
+                                {# keeper.                                              #}
+                                <button type="button"
+                                        id="id_sea_action_btn"
+                                        class="btn btn-primary"
+                                        data-state="{% if hand_complete %}gate-view{% else %}auto-draw{% endif %}"
+                                        data-gate-url="{% url 'my_sea_gate' %}">{% if hand_complete %}GATE<br>VIEW{% else %}AUTO<br>DRAW{% endif %}</button>
+                                {# DEL gates on whether ANY card has been drawn (user #}
+                                {# spec 2026-05-26): pre-first-draw it's disabled; as #}
+                                {# soon as `saved_by_position` has at least one entry #}
+                                {# the user can DEL the in-progress hand. `&times;`   #}
+                                {# is the disabled-state label (parity w. game-kit's  #}
+                                {# DON/DOFF disabled convention). JS `_setHasDrawn`   #}
+                                {# swaps text + class in lockstep w. live deposits.  #}
+                                <button type="button"
+                                        id="id_sea_del"
+                                        class="btn btn-danger{% if not saved_by_position %} btn-disabled{% endif %}">{% if saved_by_position %}DEL{% else %}&times;{% endif %}</button>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
                     </div>
                 </div>
                 {# Sea stage — portaled modal that opens on FLIP click via #}
@@ -988,6 +999,16 @@
                             page.setAttribute('data-phase', 'picker');
                             if (landing) landing.style.display = 'none';
                             if (picker)  picker.style.display  = '';
+                            // Phase 2 of the Sea sub-btn rollout — server
+                            // rendered the burger fan w. sea_btn inactive
+                            // (show_picker was False on landing). After the
+                            // client-side phase swap, flip .active so the
+                            // modal-open click handler treats sea_btn as
+                            // active. Sea_btn stays active for the rest of
+                            // the picker phase (incl. hand_complete) so DEL
+                            // + GATE VIEW stay reachable inside the modal.
+                            var seaBtn = document.getElementById('id_sea_btn');
+                            if (seaBtn) seaBtn.classList.add('active');
                         }, SEAT_ANIM_MS);
                     });
                 }
@@ -1063,16 +1084,70 @@
         {% endif %}
         {# Sprint 6 iter 6c — gear-btn lives on every my-sea page state #}
         {# (sign-gate / landing / picker). NVM-only menu. Picker NVM     #}
-        {# nav-backs to the my-sea TABLE HEX (landing), letting the user #}
-        {# leave the spread without committing. Sign-gate + landing NVM  #}
-        {# nav-backs to /gameboard/ (the partial's default fallback).    #}
-        {% if show_picker %}{% url 'my_sea' as nvm_url %}{% endif %}
-        {% include "apps/gameboard/_partials/_my_sea_gear.html" %}
+        {# nav-backs to the my-sea TABLE HEX via `?phase=landing` —      #}
+        {# without the query param, the server would re-render the       #}
+        {# picker on the next GET (hand_non_empty branch wins). The      #}
+        {# landing then renders a CONT DRAW btn (since active_draw       #}
+        {# exists + incomplete) so the user can re-enter the picker.    #}
+        {# Sign-gate + landing NVM nav-back to /gameboard/ (default).    #}
+        {% if show_picker %}{% url 'my_sea' as nvm_base %}{% with nvm_url=nvm_base|add:'?phase=landing' %}{% include "apps/gameboard/_partials/_my_sea_gear.html" %}{% endwith %}{% else %}{% include "apps/gameboard/_partials/_my_sea_gear.html" %}{% endif %}
         {# Bud + burger persist across every stage too — same affordance #}
         {# as on the my-sea gatekeeper, so the user can invite + reach   #}
         {# the cross-cutting menu from sign-gate / landing / picker alike.#}
         {% include "apps/gameboard/_partials/_my_sea_bud_panel.html" %}
         {% include "apps/gameboard/_partials/_burger.html" %}
         <script src="{% static 'apps/epic/burger-btn.js' %}"></script>
+
+        {# Phase 2 of the Sea sub-btn rollout — wires #id_sea_btn click to    #}
+        {# open #id_sea_spread_modal. AUTO DRAW + Escape + backdrop click     #}
+        {# all close the modal. AUTO DRAW closes BEFORE its own handler fires #}
+        {# (capture-phase listener) so the existing guard-portal + draw flow  #}
+        {# runs against a closed modal, returning the spread crucifix to view #}
+        {# as the cards animate in.                                           #}
+        <script>
+        (function () {
+            var seaBtn = document.getElementById('id_sea_btn');
+            var modal = document.getElementById('id_sea_spread_modal');
+            if (!seaBtn || !modal) return;
+
+            var backdrop = modal.querySelector('.my-sea-spread-modal__backdrop');
+            var actionBtn = document.getElementById('id_sea_action_btn');
+
+            function openModal() {
+                modal.removeAttribute('hidden');
+            }
+            function closeModal() {
+                modal.setAttribute('hidden', '');
+            }
+
+            seaBtn.addEventListener('click', function () {
+                // Inactive sub-btn click is handled by burger-btn.js's
+                // delegated handler (flash --priRd, no modal). Only fire
+                // the modal-open path when this sub-btn is currently active.
+                if (!seaBtn.classList.contains('active')) return;
+                openModal();
+            });
+
+            if (backdrop) {
+                backdrop.addEventListener('click', closeModal);
+            }
+
+            document.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) {
+                if (e.key === 'Escape' && !modal.hasAttribute('hidden')) {
+                    closeModal();
+                }
+            });
+
+            // Modal stays open through the AUTO DRAW + DEL guard-portal flow
+            // so the portal can position itself against the visible action /
+            // del btn. Close the modal only on guard OK (.guard-yes) so the
+            // draw / delete proceeds against an already-closed modal. NVM
+            // (.guard-no) leaves the modal up so the user can try again.
+            document.addEventListener('click', function (e) {
+                if (!e.target.closest('#id_guard_portal .guard-yes')) return;
+                if (!modal.hasAttribute('hidden')) closeModal();
+            });
+        }());
+        </script>
     </div>
 {% endblock content %}