diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4e76abc..9432c05 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -6,5 +6,5 @@ build:
 	podman build . --tag=$(TAG)
 
 run: build
-	podman run -i -p 80:3000 localhost/$(TAG):latest
+	podman run -i -p 3000:3000 localhost/$(TAG):latest
 
diff --git a/tank-frontend/src/PlayerInfo.tsx b/tank-frontend/src/PlayerInfo.tsx
index 04e3457..17e67d1 100644
--- a/tank-frontend/src/PlayerInfo.tsx
+++ b/tank-frontend/src/PlayerInfo.tsx
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ type PlayerInfoMessage = {
     readonly scores: Scores;
     readonly controls: string;
     readonly tank?: TankInfo;
+    readonly openConnections: number;
 }
 
 export default function PlayerInfo({player}: { player: string }) {
@@ -81,6 +82,8 @@ export default function PlayerInfo({player}: { player: string }) {
             <ScoreRow name="pixels moved" value={lastJsonMessage.scores.pixelsMoved}/>
 
             <ScoreRow name="score" value={lastJsonMessage.scores.overallScore}/>
+
+            <ScoreRow name="connections" value={lastJsonMessage.openConnections}/>
             </tbody>
         </table>
     </Column>;
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/GameLogic/TankSpawnQueue.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/GameLogic/TankSpawnQueue.cs
index ef146d2..1037623 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/GameLogic/TankSpawnQueue.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/GameLogic/TankSpawnQueue.cs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ internal sealed class TankSpawnQueue(
             return false; // no one on queue
 
         var now = DateTime.Now;
-        if (player.LastInput + _idleTimeout < now)
+        if (player.OpenConnections < 1 || player.LastInput + _idleTimeout < now)
         {
             // player idle
             _queue.Enqueue(player);
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs
index 1f9f1cf..2f82b3a 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 internal sealed class ClientScreenServer(
     ILogger<ClientScreenServer> logger,
     ILoggerFactory loggerFactory
-) : WebsocketServer<ClientScreenServerConnection>(logger), IFrameConsumer
+) : WebsocketServer<ClientScreenServerConnection>(logger),
+    IFrameConsumer
 {
     public Task HandleClientAsync(WebSocket socket, Player? player)
         => base.HandleClientAsync(new ClientScreenServerConnection(
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs
index 38efa55..d76eda5 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs
@@ -1,16 +1,11 @@
 using System.Buffers;
-using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Net.WebSockets;
 using DisplayCommands;
 using TanksServer.Graphics;
 
 namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
-internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection(
-    WebSocket webSocket,
-    ILogger<ClientScreenServerConnection> logger,
-    Player? player
-) : WebsocketServerConnection(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(webSocket, logger, 0))
+internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
 {
     private sealed record class Package(
         IMemoryOwner<byte> PixelsOwner,
@@ -20,12 +15,21 @@ internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection(
     );
 
     private readonly MemoryPool<byte> _memoryPool = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared;
+    private readonly PlayerScreenData? _playerDataBuilder;
+    private readonly Player? _player;
     private int _wantsFrameOnTick = 1;
     private Package? _next;
 
-    private readonly PlayerScreenData? _playerDataBuilder = player == null
-        ? null
-        : new PlayerScreenData(logger, player);
+    public ClientScreenServerConnection(WebSocket webSocket,
+        ILogger<ClientScreenServerConnection> logger,
+        Player? player) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(webSocket, logger, 0))
+    {
+        _player = player;
+        _player?.IncrementConnectionCount();
+        _playerDataBuilder = player == null
+            ? null
+            : new PlayerScreenData(logger, player);
+    }
 
     protected override ValueTask HandleMessageAsync(Memory<byte> _)
     {
@@ -72,6 +76,12 @@ internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection(
         oldNext?.PlayerDataOwner?.Dispose();
     }
 
+    public override ValueTask RemovedAsync()
+    {
+        _player?.DecrementConnectionCount();
+        return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
     private async ValueTask SendAndDisposeAsync(Package package)
     {
         try
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ControlsServerConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ControlsServerConnection.cs
index 35f57f4..edceb3d 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ControlsServerConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ControlsServerConnection.cs
@@ -2,12 +2,18 @@ using System.Net.WebSockets;
 
 namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
-internal sealed class ControlsServerConnection(
-    WebSocket socket,
-    ILogger<ControlsServerConnection> logger,
-    Player player
-) : WebsocketServerConnection(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(socket, logger, 2))
+internal sealed class ControlsServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
 {
+    private readonly Player _player;
+
+    public ControlsServerConnection(WebSocket socket,
+        ILogger<ControlsServerConnection> logger,
+        Player player) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(socket, logger, 2))
+    {
+        _player = player;
+        _player.IncrementConnectionCount();
+    }
+
     private enum MessageType : byte
     {
         Enable = 0x01,
@@ -28,7 +34,7 @@ internal sealed class ControlsServerConnection(
         var type = (MessageType)buffer.Span[0];
         var control = (InputType)buffer.Span[1];
 
-        Logger.LogTrace("player input {} {} {}", player.Name, type, control);
+        Logger.LogTrace("player input {} {} {}", _player.Name, type, control);
 
         var isEnable = type switch
         {
@@ -37,24 +43,24 @@ internal sealed class ControlsServerConnection(
             _ => throw new ArgumentException("invalid message type")
         };
 
-        player.LastInput = DateTime.Now;
+        _player.LastInput = DateTime.Now;
 
         switch (control)
         {
             case InputType.Forward:
-                player.Controls.Forward = isEnable;
+                _player.Controls.Forward = isEnable;
                 break;
             case InputType.Backward:
-                player.Controls.Backward = isEnable;
+                _player.Controls.Backward = isEnable;
                 break;
             case InputType.Left:
-                player.Controls.TurnLeft = isEnable;
+                _player.Controls.TurnLeft = isEnable;
                 break;
             case InputType.Right:
-                player.Controls.TurnRight = isEnable;
+                _player.Controls.TurnRight = isEnable;
                 break;
             case InputType.Shoot:
-                player.Controls.Shoot = isEnable;
+                _player.Controls.Shoot = isEnable;
                 break;
             default:
                 throw new ArgumentException("invalid control type");
@@ -62,4 +68,10 @@ internal sealed class ControlsServerConnection(
 
         return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
     }
+
+    public override ValueTask RemovedAsync()
+    {
+        _player.DecrementConnectionCount();
+        return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs
index b35e759..e37aecd 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs
@@ -4,16 +4,23 @@ using TanksServer.GameLogic;
 
 namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
-internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection(
-    Player player,
-    ILogger logger,
-    WebSocket rawSocket,
-    MapEntityManager entityManager
-) : WebsocketServerConnection(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(rawSocket, logger, 0))
+internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
 {
     private int _wantsInfoOnTick = 1;
     private byte[]? _lastMessage = null;
     private byte[]? _nextMessage = null;
+    private readonly Player _player;
+    private readonly MapEntityManager _entityManager;
+
+    public PlayerInfoConnection(Player player,
+        ILogger logger,
+        WebSocket rawSocket,
+        MapEntityManager entityManager) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(rawSocket, logger, 0))
+    {
+        _player = player;
+        _entityManager = entityManager;
+        _player.IncrementConnectionCount();
+    }
 
     protected override ValueTask HandleMessageAsync(Memory<byte> buffer)
     {
@@ -41,9 +48,15 @@ internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection(
         Interlocked.Exchange(ref _nextMessage, response);
     }
 
+    public override ValueTask RemovedAsync()
+    {
+        _player.DecrementConnectionCount();
+        return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
     private byte[] GetMessageToSend()
     {
-        var tank = entityManager.GetCurrentTankOfPlayer(player);
+        var tank = _entityManager.GetCurrentTankOfPlayer(_player);
 
         TankInfo? tankInfo = null;
         if (tank != null)
@@ -52,7 +65,12 @@ internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection(
             tankInfo = new TankInfo(tank.Orientation, magazine, tank.Position.ToPixelPosition(), tank.Moving);
         }
 
-        var info = new PlayerInfo(player.Name, player.Scores, player.Controls.ToDisplayString(), tankInfo);
+        var info = new PlayerInfo(
+            _player.Name,
+            _player.Scores,
+            _player.Controls.ToDisplayString(),
+            tankInfo,
+            _player.OpenConnections);
 
         // TODO: switch to async version with pre-allocated buffer / IMemoryOwner
         return JsonSerializer.SerializeToUtf8Bytes(info, AppSerializerContext.Default.PlayerInfo);
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs
index f8c6719..8912b35 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ internal abstract class WebsocketServer<T>(
         await AddConnectionAsync(connection);
         await connection.ReceiveAsync();
         await RemoveConnectionAsync(connection);
+        await connection.RemovedAsync();
     }
 
     private async ValueTask LockedAsync(Func<ValueTask> action, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ internal abstract class WebsocketServer<T>(
         }
     }
 
-    public void Dispose() => _mutex.Dispose();
+    public virtual void Dispose() => _mutex.Dispose();
 
     public Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken) => Task.CompletedTask;
 
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs
index 23b698c..d501c1d 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs
@@ -22,20 +22,9 @@ internal abstract class WebsocketServerConnection(
         Logger.LogTrace("done receiving");
     }
 
+    public abstract ValueTask RemovedAsync();
+
     protected abstract ValueTask HandleMessageAsync(Memory<byte> buffer);
 
-    protected async ValueTask LockedAsync(Func<ValueTask> action)
-    {
-        await _mutex.WaitAsync();
-        try
-        {
-            await action();
-        }
-        finally
-        {
-            _mutex.Release();
-        }
-    }
-
-    public void Dispose() => _mutex.Dispose();
+    public virtual void Dispose() => _mutex.Dispose();
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/Player.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/Player.cs
index de158d4..6938146 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/Player.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/Player.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ namespace TanksServer.Models;
 
 internal sealed class Player : IEquatable<Player>
 {
+    private int _openConnections;
+
     public required string Name { get; init; }
 
     [JsonIgnore] public PlayerControls Controls { get; } = new();
@@ -12,6 +14,8 @@ internal sealed class Player : IEquatable<Player>
 
     public DateTime LastInput { get; set; } = DateTime.Now;
 
+    public int OpenConnections => _openConnections;
+
     public override bool Equals(object? obj) => obj is Player p && Equals(p);
 
     public bool Equals(Player? other) => other?.Name == Name;
@@ -21,4 +25,8 @@ internal sealed class Player : IEquatable<Player>
     public static bool operator ==(Player? left, Player? right) => Equals(left, right);
 
     public static bool operator !=(Player? left, Player? right) => !Equals(left, right);
+
+    internal void IncrementConnectionCount() => Interlocked.Increment(ref _openConnections);
+
+    internal void DecrementConnectionCount() => Interlocked.Decrement(ref _openConnections);
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/PlayerInfo.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/PlayerInfo.cs
index 118eb42..a8545f3 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/PlayerInfo.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Models/PlayerInfo.cs
@@ -11,5 +11,6 @@ internal record struct PlayerInfo(
     string Name,
     Scores Scores,
     string Controls,
-    TankInfo? Tank
+    TankInfo? Tank,
+    int OpenConnections
 );