diff --git a/src/routes/+page.svelte b/src/routes/+page.svelte
index 49221e9..b01dd73 100644
--- a/src/routes/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/+page.svelte
@@ -45,8 +45,9 @@
 		const diff = Math.abs(el.currentTime - expectedTime);
 
 		if (!state.isPlaying) {
-			if (el.currentTime < expectedTime && diff <= 2 && !el.paused) {
+			if (el.currentTime < expectedTime && diff <= 2) {
 				// Behind pause point. Keep playing to catch up. (timeupdate will pause it)
+				// If locally paused, stay paused (we likely dispatched the pause event + buffer)
 			} else {
 				// Ahead or reached pause point. Pause and rewind if needed.
 				syncAction(() => {
@@ -72,12 +73,14 @@
 
 	function handlePlay() {
 		if (isSyncing) return;
-		playReducer({ timePosition: videoElement?.currentTime ?? 0 });
+		// Send play slightly in future to adjust for network latency
+		playReducer({ timePosition: (videoElement?.currentTime ?? 0) + 0.15 });
 	}
 
 	function handlePause() {
 		if (isSyncing) return;
-		pauseReducer({ timePosition: videoElement?.currentTime ?? 0 });
+		// Send pause slightly in future, so remote clients coast into it
+		pauseReducer({ timePosition: (videoElement?.currentTime ?? 0) + 0.15 });
 	}
 
 	function handleSeeked() {