diff --git a/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/__init__.py b/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c560ce7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# monop-player Cardinal plugin
diff --git a/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/config.example.json b/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/config.example.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5622c21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/config.example.json
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+    "channel": "#monop",
+    "players": ["alice", "bob"]
+}
diff --git a/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/plugin.py b/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/plugin.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea964a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cardinal-plugin/monop-player/plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,373 @@
+"""
+Cardinal plugin: AI players for monop-irc.
+
+Watches monop bot output and responds as players to keep the game moving.
+Each player simply rolls on their turn, buys properties when they can
+afford them, answers yes/no prompts, and places minimum auction bids.
+
+This is completely independent of the monop state-tracking plugin.
+"""
+
+import re
+import logging
+import random
+
+from cardinal.decorators import event
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# The monop bot nick
+BOT_NICK = "monop"
+# IRC command prefix
+PREFIX = "."
+
+
+class MonopPlayerPlugin:
+    """Autopilot players for monop-irc games."""
+
+    def __init__(self, cardinal, config):
+        self.cardinal = cardinal
+        self.config = config or {}
+
+        # Player names this plugin controls (set during game setup)
+        self.controlled_players = set()
+        # Which player's turn it is right now
+        self.current_player = None
+        # Channel the game is in
+        self.channel = self.config.get("channel", "#monop")
+        # Player names to register (config)
+        self.player_names = self.config.get(
+            "players", ["alice", "bob"]
+        )
+        # Track game phase
+        self.setup_phase = True
+        self.players_registered = 0
+        self.num_players = len(self.player_names)
+        # Track pending prompts
+        self.pending_prompt = None
+        # Auction state
+        self.in_auction = False
+        self.auction_current_bid = 0
+        # Track debt state
+        self.in_debt = False
+        # Track whose turn for "bad player" errors
+        self.expected_player = None
+        # Buffer for multi-line card text
+        self.card_separator_count = 0
+        # Track buy house / sell house prompts
+        self.in_house_prompt = False
+        # Tax choice pending
+        self.tax_choice_pending = False
+        # Trade pending - who needs to confirm
+        self.trade_pending_for = None
+
+        logger.info(
+            "MonopPlayerPlugin loaded: players=%s, channel=%s",
+            self.player_names, self.channel
+        )
+
+    def _say(self, msg):
+        """Send a message to the game channel."""
+        self.cardinal.sendMsg(self.channel, f"{PREFIX}{msg}")
+
+    def _player_say(self, player, msg):
+        """Send a message as a specific player (via bot command)."""
+        # In monop-irc bridge, messages are routed by IRC nick.
+        # Since we're a single bot, we use the prefix format.
+        # The bridge maps IRC nick -> player name.
+        # We can't impersonate multiple nicks from one connection.
+        # Instead, we'll just send the command and let the bridge
+        # figure it out. For multi-player, we'd need multiple connections.
+        self._say(msg)
+
+    @event("irc.privmsg")
+    def on_msg(self, cardinal, user, channel, message):
+        """Process all messages in the game channel."""
+        if channel.lower() != self.channel.lower():
+            return
+
+        sender = user.nick
+
+        # Only react to monop bot messages
+        if sender.lower() != BOT_NICK.lower():
+            return
+
+        self._handle_bot_message(message)
+
+    def _handle_bot_message(self, msg):
+        """Route a monop bot message to the appropriate handler."""
+        msg = msg.strip()
+        if not msg:
+            return
+
+        logger.debug("Bot says: %s", msg)
+
+        # --- Setup Phase ---
+        if self._handle_setup(msg):
+            return
+
+        # --- Turn Detection ---
+        # Checkpoint line: "name (N) (cash $M) on square"
+        m = re.match(
+            r'^(.+?)\s+\((\d+)\)\s+\(cash\s+\$(-?\d+)\)\s+on\s+(.+)$', msg
+        )
+        if m:
+            name = m.group(1)
+            self.current_player = name
+            self.expected_player = name
+            self.in_debt = False
+            self.pending_prompt = None
+            self.in_house_prompt = False
+            self.tax_choice_pending = False
+            # It's this player's turn - they need to roll
+            if name.lower() in {n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players}:
+                self._say("roll")
+            return
+
+        # --- Doubles: roll again ---
+        m = re.match(r'^(.+?) rolled doubles\.\s+Goes again$', msg)
+        if m:
+            name = m.group(1)
+            if name.lower() in {n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players}:
+                self._say("roll")
+            return
+
+        # --- Buy Prompt ---
+        if msg == "Do you want to buy?":
+            self.pending_prompt = "buy"
+            # Buy if it's our player
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                self._say("yes")
+            return
+
+        # --- Yes/No Prompts ---
+        if msg in (
+            "Do you want to mortgage it?",
+            "Do you want to unmortgage it?",
+            "Is that ok?",
+        ):
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                self._say("yes")
+            return
+
+        # --- Trade confirmation ---
+        m = re.match(r'^(.+?), is the trade ok\?$', msg)
+        if m:
+            name = m.group(1)
+            if name.lower() in {n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players}:
+                self._say("yes")
+            return
+
+        # --- Debt / Forced Mortgage ---
+        if msg == "How are you going to fix it up?":
+            self.in_debt = True
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                # Try to mortgage something, or just resign
+                self._say("mortgage")
+            return
+
+        if "that leaves you broke" in msg.lower():
+            # Player is bankrupt, nothing to do
+            return
+
+        if msg == "-- You are now Solvent ---":
+            self.in_debt = False
+            return
+
+        # --- Mortgage prompts ---
+        if msg.startswith("Which property do you want to mortgage?"):
+            # The bot will list properties; we pick the first one
+            # Actually monop lists them and waits for input via getinp
+            # We'll handle this when we see the property list
+            self.pending_prompt = "choose_mortgage"
+            return
+
+        if msg.startswith("Which property do you want to unmortgage?"):
+            self.pending_prompt = "choose_unmortgage"
+            return
+
+        if msg == "You don't have any un-mortgaged property.":
+            if self.in_debt:
+                # Can't mortgage, try selling houses
+                self._say("sell houses")
+            return
+
+        if msg == "You don't have any houses to sell!!":
+            if self.in_debt:
+                # Can't sell houses either, resign to bank
+                self._say("resign")
+            return
+
+        # --- Resign confirmation ---
+        if msg == "Do you really want to resign?":
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                self._say("yes")
+            return
+
+        if msg.startswith("Who do you wish to resign to?"):
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                self._say("bank")
+            return
+
+        # --- Auction ---
+        m = re.match(r'^So it goes up for auction', msg)
+        if m:
+            self.in_auction = True
+            self.auction_current_bid = 0
+            return
+
+        # Auction bid prompt: "name:"
+        if self.in_auction:
+            m = re.match(r'^(.+?):$', msg)
+            if m:
+                name = m.group(1).strip()
+                if name.lower() in {n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players}:
+                    # Bid slightly above current or drop out randomly
+                    if self.auction_current_bid == 0:
+                        self._say("1")
+                        self.auction_current_bid = 1
+                    elif random.random() < 0.3:
+                        # Drop out
+                        self._say("0")
+                    else:
+                        bid = self.auction_current_bid + 10
+                        self._say(str(bid))
+                        self.auction_current_bid = bid
+                return
+
+            m = re.match(
+                r'^You must bid higher than (\d+) to stay in$', msg
+            )
+            if m:
+                self.auction_current_bid = int(m.group(1))
+                return
+
+            if msg.startswith("It goes to") or msg.startswith("Nobody seems"):
+                self.in_auction = False
+                return
+
+        # --- Jail ---
+        m = re.match(r'^\(This is your (\w+) turn in JAIL\)$', msg)
+        if m:
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                # Try to roll doubles to get out
+                self._say("roll")
+            return
+
+        if msg == "But you're not IN Jail":
+            return
+
+        # --- Tax choice ---
+        m = re.match(r'^Do you wish to lose 10', msg)
+        if m:
+            self.tax_choice_pending = True
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                # Always pick percentage (tends to be cheaper early game)
+                self._say("percentage")
+            return
+
+        # --- Command prompt (-- Command:) ---
+        if msg == "-- Command:":
+            # Bot is waiting for a command from current player
+            if self.current_player and self.current_player.lower() in {
+                n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players
+            }:
+                if self.in_debt:
+                    self._say("mortgage")
+                else:
+                    self._say("roll")
+            return
+
+        # --- House buying/selling prompts ---
+        if msg.startswith("How many houses do you wish to"):
+            self.in_house_prompt = True
+            return
+
+        # --- Bad player error: someone tried to act out of turn ---
+        m = re.match(
+            r"^Illegal action: bad player \((.+?)'s turn, not (.+?)\)$", msg
+        )
+        if m:
+            correct = m.group(1)
+            self.current_player = correct
+            return
+
+        # --- Illegal response: we sent something wrong ---
+        if msg.startswith("Illegal response:"):
+            logger.warning("Got illegal response: %s", msg)
+            return
+
+        # --- Valid inputs list (help) ---
+        if msg.startswith("Valid inputs are:"):
+            # Parse valid options, pick the first reasonable one
+            options_str = msg[len("Valid inputs are:"):].strip()
+            options = [o.strip().strip("'\"") for o in options_str.split(",")]
+            if options and self.current_player and \
+                    self.current_player.lower() in {
+                        n.lower() for n in self.controlled_players}:
+                # Pick first non-quit option
+                for opt in options:
+                    if opt.lower() not in ("quit", ""):
+                        self._say(opt)
+                        break
+            return
+
+    def _handle_setup(self, msg):
+        """Handle game setup messages. Returns True if handled."""
+        if not self.setup_phase:
+            return False
+
+        if msg == "How many players?":
+            self._say(str(self.num_players))
+            return True
+
+        if msg.startswith("Sorry. Number must range from"):
+            self._say(str(self.num_players))
+            return True
+
+        m = re.match(r"^Player (\d+), say ''me'' please\.$", msg)
+        if m:
+            player_idx = int(m.group(1)) - 1
+            if player_idx < len(self.player_names):
+                name = self.player_names[player_idx]
+                self.controlled_players.add(name)
+                self._say(name)
+            return True
+
+        # Player registered and rolling
+        m = re.match(r'^(.+?)\s+\((\d+)\)\s+rolls\s+(\d+)$', msg)
+        if m:
+            return True
+
+        # Who goes first
+        m = re.match(r'^(.+?)\s+\((\d+)\)\s+goes first$', msg)
+        if m:
+            self.setup_phase = False
+            self.current_player = m.group(1)
+            return True
+
+        # Re-roll for ties
+        if "rolled the same thing" in msg:
+            return True
+
+        return False
+
+    def close(self):
+        logger.info("MonopPlayerPlugin unloaded")
+
+
+entrypoint = MonopPlayerPlugin
diff --git a/monop_players.py b/monop_players.py
index 31032b9..8cc5a20 100644
--- a/monop_players.py
+++ b/monop_players.py
@@ -77,9 +77,14 @@ class PlayerBot:
         self._send(f"USER {self.nick} 0 * :{self.nick}")
 
         # Wait for registration
+        self.sock.settimeout(10)
         deadline = time.time() + 15
         while time.time() < deadline:
-            data = self.sock.recv(4096)
+            try:
+                data = self.sock.recv(4096)
+            except socket.timeout:
+                self.log("Timeout waiting for registration")
+                break
             if not data:
                 raise ConnectionError("Connection closed during registration")
             self.buffer += data.decode("utf-8", errors="replace")
@@ -88,14 +93,27 @@ class PlayerBot:
                 line, self.buffer = self.buffer.split("\r\n", 1)
                 if line.startswith("PING"):
                     self._send("PONG" + line[4:])
+                if " 433 " in line:
+                    # Nick in use — try with underscore
+                    self.nick = self.nick + "_"
+                    self.log(f"Nick in use, trying {self.nick}")
+                    self._send(f"NICK {self.nick}")
             if " 001 " in self.buffer:
                 break
+        self.sock.settimeout(None)
 
         self._send(f"JOIN {self.channel}")
-        time.sleep(0.3)
+        time.sleep(0.5)
         self.buffer = ""
         self.log(f"Connected and joined {self.channel}")
 
+        # If we're the first player, send the player count immediately
+        # in case "How many players?" was sent before we joined
+        if self.player_index == 0:
+            time.sleep(1.0)
+            self.log("Sending player count (in case we missed the prompt)")
+            self.say(str(self.num_players))
+
     def _send(self, line):
         with self.lock:
             self.sock.sendall((line + "\r\n").encode())
@@ -105,12 +123,15 @@ class PlayerBot:
         self._send(f"PRIVMSG {self.channel} :{PREFIX}{msg}")
         self.log(f"  -> .{msg}")
 
-    def say_delayed(self, msg, delay=None):
-        """Send after a short delay (avoids flooding, more natural)."""
+    def say_delayed(self, msg, delay=None, force=False):
+        """Send after a short delay. Rechecks is_my_turn() before sending."""
         d = delay if delay is not None else RESPONSE_DELAY
         def _do():
             time.sleep(d)
-            self.say(msg)
+            if force or self.is_my_turn():
+                self.say(msg)
+            else:
+                self.log(f"  (suppressed .{msg} — not my turn)")
         threading.Thread(target=_do, daemon=True).start()
 
     def is_my_turn(self):
@@ -373,7 +394,7 @@ class PlayerBot:
         if msg.startswith("Do you wish to lose 10"):
             if self.is_my_turn():
                 # 10% is usually cheaper early game
-                self.say_delayed("percentage")
+                self.say_delayed("10%")
             return
 
         # ============================================================
@@ -403,9 +424,7 @@ class PlayerBot:
                 elif not self.rolled_this_turn:
                     self.say_delayed("roll")
                     self.rolled_this_turn = True
-                else:
-                    # Already rolled, just end turn (empty/done)
-                    self.say_delayed("roll")
+                # else: already rolled, waiting for prompts to resolve
             return
 
         # ============================================================
@@ -478,12 +497,12 @@ class PlayerBot:
         if msg == "How many players?":
             # Only the first player sends the number
             if self.player_index == 0:
-                self.say_delayed(str(self.num_players))
+                self.say_delayed(str(self.num_players), force=True)
             return True
 
         if msg.startswith("Sorry. Number must range from"):
             if self.player_index == 0:
-                self.say_delayed(str(self.num_players))
+                self.say_delayed(str(self.num_players), force=True)
             return True
 
         # "Player N, say ''me'' please."
@@ -492,7 +511,7 @@ class PlayerBot:
             player_num = int(m.group(1))
             # Player N is 1-indexed, our index is 0-indexed
             if player_num - 1 == self.player_index:
-                self.say_delayed(self.nick, delay=1.0)
+                self.say_delayed(self.nick, delay=1.0, force=True)
             return True
 
         # Duplicate name error