diff --git a/include/sprite.h b/include/sprite.h
index ba4dee49..df9f6be5 100644
--- a/include/sprite.h
+++ b/include/sprite.h
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ void sprite_object_reset_transform(SpriteObject* sprite_object);
  *
  * @param sprite_object pointer to SpriteObject to update. Cannot be **NULL**.
  */
-void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object);
+IWRAM_CODE void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object);
 
 /**
  * @brief Shake SpriteObject on screen and play a sound
diff --git a/source/game.c b/source/game.c
index 6fb82863..0fa90619 100644
--- a/source/game.c
+++ b/source/game.c
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ static inline void discarded_jokers_update_loop(void)
 
 static inline void held_jokers_update_loop(void)
 {
-    const int spacing_lut[MAX_JOKERS_HELD_SIZE][MAX_JOKERS_HELD_SIZE] = {
+    static const int spacing_lut[MAX_JOKERS_HELD_SIZE][MAX_JOKERS_HELD_SIZE] = {
         {0,  0,   0,   0,   0  },
         {13, -13, 0,   0,   0  },
         {26, 0,   -26, 0,   0  },
@@ -1838,6 +1838,7 @@ static inline void card_draw(void)
 
     card_object->sprite_object->x = deck_x;
     card_object->sprite_object->y = deck_y;
+    sprite_position(card_object->sprite_object->sprite, fx2int(deck_x), fx2int(deck_y));
 
     hand[++hand_top] = card_object;
 
@@ -2828,10 +2829,17 @@ static inline void cards_in_hand_update_loop(void)
                     {
                         hand_y -= int2fx(CARD_FOCUSED_SEL_Y);
                     }
-
                     if (i != selected_card_idx && hand[i]->sprite_object->y > hand_y)
                     {
                         hand[i]->sprite_object->y = hand_y;
+                        sprite_position(
+                            hand[i]->sprite_object->sprite,
+                            fx2int(hand[i]->sprite_object->x),
+                            fx2int(hand_y)
+                        );
+                        // Set target y to match y. Ensures target is updated even when vy becomes
+                        // 0, preventing immediate snap back.
+                        hand[i]->sprite_object->ty = hand_y;
                         hand[i]->sprite_object->vy = 0;
                     }
 
diff --git a/source/game/main_menu.c b/source/game/main_menu.c
index ca9b0eab..5b7303a2 100644
--- a/source/game/main_menu.c
+++ b/source/game/main_menu.c
@@ -124,9 +124,8 @@ void game_main_menu_on_init(void)
 
 void game_main_menu_on_update(void)
 {
-    card_object_update(main_menu_ace);
     main_menu_ace->sprite_object->trotation = lu_sin((g_game_vars.timer << 8) / 2) / 3;
-    main_menu_ace->sprite_object->rotation = main_menu_ace->sprite_object->trotation;
+    card_object_update(main_menu_ace);
 
     // Seed randomization
     g_game_vars.rng_seed++;
diff --git a/source/sprite.c b/source/sprite.c
index 72072f90..a2de41fc 100644
--- a/source/sprite.c
+++ b/source/sprite.c
@@ -209,8 +209,27 @@ void sprite_object_reset_transform(SpriteObject* sprite_object)
     sprite_object->vrotation = 0;
 }
 
-void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object)
+static inline bool sprite_object_has_velocity(const SpriteObject* sprite_object)
 {
+    return sprite_object->vx != 0 || sprite_object->vy != 0 || sprite_object->vscale != 0 ||
+           sprite_object->vrotation != 0;
+}
+
+static inline bool sprite_object_at_target(const SpriteObject* s)
+{
+    return s->x == s->tx && s->y == s->ty && s->scale == s->tscale && s->rotation == s->trotation;
+}
+
+static inline bool is_sprite_object_static(const SpriteObject* sprite_object)
+{
+    return !sprite_object_has_velocity(sprite_object) && sprite_object_at_target(sprite_object);
+}
+
+IWRAM_CODE void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object)
+{
+    if (is_sprite_object_static(sprite_object))
+        return;
+
     sprite_object->vx += ((sprite_object->tx - sprite_object->x) * g_game_vars.game_speed) / 8;
     sprite_object->vy += ((sprite_object->ty - sprite_object->y) * g_game_vars.game_speed) / 8;
 
@@ -220,10 +239,10 @@ void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object)
     // Rotate the card when it's played
     sprite_object->vrotation += (sprite_object->trotation - sprite_object->rotation) / 8;
 
-    // set velocity to 0 if it's close enough to the target
     const FIXED epsilon = (FIX_ONE >> 6); // = 1/2^6 = 0.015625
-    if (sprite_object->vx < epsilon && sprite_object->vx > -epsilon &&
-        sprite_object->vy < epsilon && sprite_object->vy > -epsilon)
+
+    // Snap to target position when velocity is negligible to avoid infinite approach
+    if (abs(sprite_object->vx) < epsilon && abs(sprite_object->vy) < epsilon)
     {
         sprite_object->vx = 0;
         sprite_object->vy = 0;
@@ -243,10 +262,10 @@ void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object)
     }
 
     // Set scale to 0 if it's close enough to the target
-    if (sprite_object->vscale < epsilon && sprite_object->vscale > -epsilon)
+    if (abs(sprite_object->vscale) < epsilon)
     {
         sprite_object->vscale = 0;
-        sprite_object->scale = sprite_object->tscale; // Set the scale to the target scale
+        sprite_object->scale = sprite_object->tscale;
     }
     else
     {
@@ -256,14 +275,13 @@ void sprite_object_update(SpriteObject* sprite_object)
         sprite_object->scale += sprite_object->vscale;
     }
 
-    // Set rotation to 0 if it's close enough to the target
-    if (sprite_object->vrotation < epsilon && sprite_object->vrotation > -epsilon)
+    // For rotation, prioritize snapping to target if close enough, then zero velocity.
+    if (abs(sprite_object->vrotation) < epsilon)
     {
         sprite_object->vrotation = 0;
-        // Set the rotation to the target rotation
         sprite_object->rotation = sprite_object->trotation;
     }
-    else
+    else // Apply damping and update rotation if not yet settled
     {
         sprite_object->vrotation =
             (sprite_object->vrotation * SPRING_DAMP_NUMERATOR + SPRING_DAMP_ROUNDING) >>