diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.as
index c1d779c7..3ddab760 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.as
@@ -60,5 +60,8 @@ public interface ParlorService extends InvocationService
 
     // from Java interface ParlorService
     function startSolitaire (arg1 :Client, arg2 :GameConfig, arg3 :InvocationService_ConfirmListener) :void;
+
+    // from Java interface ParlorService
+    function startTableNow (arg1 :Client, arg2 :int, arg3 :int, arg4 :InvocationService_InvocationListener) :void;
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
index e6640278..b82dde3c 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
@@ -218,6 +218,22 @@ public class TableDirector extends BasicDirector
         _pservice.leaveTable(_pctx.getClient(), _lobby.getOid(), tableId, this);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sends a request to have the specified table start now, even if
+     * all the seats have not yet been filled.
+     */
+    public function startTableNow (tableId :int) :void
+    {
+        if (_lobby == null) {
+            log.warning("Requested to start a table but we're not " +
+                        "currently in a place [tableId=" + tableId + "].");
+            return;
+        }
+                        
+        _pservice.startTableNow(_ctx.getClient(), _lobby.getOid(),
+            tableId, this);
+    }
+
     // documentation inherited
     override public function clientDidLogoff (event :ClientEvent) :void
     {
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.as
index 7b809e16..a7c9f5c6 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.as
@@ -138,5 +138,18 @@ public class ParlorMarshaller extends InvocationMarshaller
             arg2, listener3
         ]);
     }
+
+    /** The method id used to dispatch {@link #startTableNow} requests. */
+    public static const START_TABLE_NOW :int = 8;
+
+    // from interface ParlorService
+    public function startTableNow (arg1 :Client, arg2 :int, arg3 :int, arg4 :InvocationService_InvocationListener) :void
+    {
+        var listener4 :InvocationMarshaller_ListenerMarshaller = new InvocationMarshaller_ListenerMarshaller();
+        listener4.listener = arg4;
+        sendRequest(arg1, START_TABLE_NOW, [
+            Integer.valueOf(arg2), Integer.valueOf(arg3), listener4
+        ]);
+    }
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.java
index 4cab0964..a5e492b5 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/ParlorService.java
@@ -155,6 +155,16 @@ public interface ParlorService extends InvocationService
     public void leaveTable (Client client, int lobbyOid, int tableId,
                             InvocationListener listener);
 
+    /**
+     * You probably don't want to call this directly, but want to call
+     * {@link TableDirector#startTableNow}. Requests that the specified
+     * table be started now, even if all seats are not occupied. This
+     * will always fail if called by any other player than that seated
+     * in position 0 (usually the creator).
+     */
+    public void startTableNow (Client client, int lobbyOid, int tableId,
+                               InvocationListener listener);
+
     /**
      * Requests to start a single player game with the specified game
      * configuration.
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
index 6f423e24..8c1adad4 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
@@ -214,6 +214,22 @@ public class TableDirector extends BasicDirector
         _pservice.leaveTable(_ctx.getClient(), _lobby.getOid(), tableId, this);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sends a request to have the specified table start now, even if
+     * all the seats have not yet been filled.
+     */
+    public void startTableNow (int tableId)
+    {
+        if (_lobby == null) {
+            Log.warning("Requested to start a table but we're not " +
+                        "currently in a place [tableId=" + tableId + "].");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _pservice.startTableNow(_ctx.getClient(), _lobby.getOid(),
+            tableId, this);
+    }
+
     // documentation inherited
     public void clientDidLogoff (Client client)
     {
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.java
index e96707b4..1e99e4f7 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/ParlorMarshaller.java
@@ -200,4 +200,17 @@ public class ParlorMarshaller extends InvocationMarshaller
             arg2, listener3
         });
     }
+
+    /** The method id used to dispatch {@link #startTableNow} requests. */
+    public static final int START_TABLE_NOW = 8;
+
+    // from interface ParlorService
+    public void startTableNow (Client arg1, int arg2, int arg3, InvocationService.InvocationListener arg4)
+    {
+        ListenerMarshaller listener4 = new ListenerMarshaller();
+        listener4.listener = arg4;
+        sendRequest(arg1, START_TABLE_NOW, new Object[] {
+            Integer.valueOf(arg2), Integer.valueOf(arg3), listener4
+        });
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorDispatcher.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorDispatcher.java
index 0008914d..b8965adb 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorDispatcher.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorDispatcher.java
@@ -108,6 +108,13 @@ public class ParlorDispatcher extends InvocationDispatcher
             );
             return;
 
+        case ParlorMarshaller.START_TABLE_NOW:
+            ((ParlorProvider)provider).startTableNow(
+                source,
+                ((Integer)args[0]).intValue(), ((Integer)args[1]).intValue(), (InvocationService.InvocationListener)args[2]
+            );
+            return;
+
         default:
             super.dispatchRequest(source, methodId, args);
             return;
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorProvider.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorProvider.java
index 61314317..5881ed64 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorProvider.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/ParlorProvider.java
@@ -163,6 +163,17 @@ public class ParlorProvider
         // themselves removed from the table they just left
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Handles a {@link ParlorService#startSolitaire} request.
+     */
+    public void startTableNow (ClientObject caller, int lobbyOid, int tableId,
+                               InvocationService.InvocationListener listener)
+        throws InvocationException
+    {
+        TableManager tmgr = getTableManager(lobbyOid);
+        tmgr.startTableNow((BodyObject) caller, tableId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Handles a {@link ParlorService#startSolitaire} request.
      */
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java
index 0512282f..2c08a589 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java
@@ -231,6 +231,40 @@ public class TableManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Requests that the specified table be started now, even if there are
+     * some vacant seats. This may only be done if the minimum number of
+     * players are already present at the table. By convention, only the
+     * player at seat 0 may request to have the game start early, as they
+     * are usually the creator.
+     *
+     * @param requester the body object of the user that wishes to start
+     * the table.
+     * @param tableId the id of the table to be started.
+     *
+     * @exception InvocationException thrown if the starting was not able
+     * processed for some reason. The explanation will be provided in the
+     * message data of the exception.
+     */
+    public void startTableNow (BodyObject requester, int tableId)
+        throws InvocationException
+    {
+        // look the table up
+        Table table = _tables.get(tableId);
+        if (table == null) {
+            throw new InvocationException(NO_SUCH_TABLE);
+
+        } else if (requester.getOid() != table.bodyOids[0]) {
+            throw new InvocationException(INVALID_TABLE_POSITION);
+
+        } else if (!table.mayBeStarted()) {
+            throw new InvocationException(INTERNAL_ERROR);
+        }
+
+        // I guess we're ready to go!
+        createGame(table);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Removes the table from all of our internal tables and from its
      * lobby's distributed object.