diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java
index fc17e7b8e..388c4e15f 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java
@@ -108,8 +108,7 @@ public abstract class GameController extends PlaceController
                 public void run () {
                     // finally let the game manager know that we're ready
                     // to roll
-                    Log.info("Reporting ready " + _gobj.which() + ".");
-                    _gobj.gameService.playerReady(_ctx.getClient());
+                    playerReady();
                 }
             });
         }
@@ -230,6 +229,16 @@ public abstract class GameController extends PlaceController
         return false;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Called after we've entered the game and everything has initialized
+     * to notify the server that we, as a player, are ready to play.
+     */
+    protected void playerReady ()
+    {
+        Log.info("Reporting ready " + _gobj.which() + ".");
+        _gobj.gameService.playerReady(_ctx.getClient());
+    }
+
     /**
      * Called when the game transitions to the <code>IN_PLAY</code>
      * state. This happens when all of the players have arrived and the