diff --git a/cmd/acb-worker/b2.go b/cmd/acb-worker/b2.go
index fea7561..4468cbd 100644
--- a/cmd/acb-worker/b2.go
+++ b/cmd/acb-worker/b2.go
@@ -45,11 +45,14 @@ func NewB2Client(cfg *Config) *B2Client {
 	}
 
 	// Create S3 client with custom endpoint (ARMOR proxy wrapping B2)
-	// Use custom EndpointResolverV2 to bypass endpoint rules entirely
+	// UsePathStyle is required: without it the SDK uses virtual-hosted style and
+	// drops the bucket name from the URL path (bucket ends up in hostname which
+	// the custom resolver replaces, losing it entirely).
 	client := s3.NewFromConfig(awsCfg, func(o *s3.Options) {
 		o.EndpointResolverV2 = &customEndpointResolver{
 			endpointURL: *endpointURL,
 		}
+		o.UsePathStyle = true
 	})
 
 	return &B2Client{
diff --git a/cmd/acb-worker/db.go b/cmd/acb-worker/db.go
index a8639a2..be55269 100644
--- a/cmd/acb-worker/db.go
+++ b/cmd/acb-worker/db.go
@@ -399,9 +399,14 @@ func (c *DBClient) SubmitMatchResult(ctx context.Context, jobID string, result *
 		log.Printf("failed to update series result for match %s: %v", matchID, err)
 	}
 
-	// Update crash strikes and cooldown for each participant
-	if err := updateCrashStrikes(ctx, tx, result.CrashedBots); err != nil {
-		log.Printf("failed to update crash strikes for match %s: %v", matchID, err)
+	// Update crash strikes only for technical failures, not for normal game
+	// endings. In snake-style games every bot eventually "crashes" (hits a wall
+	// or another snake) — that is the normal end condition, not an error.
+	// "stalemate" and "turns" are the expected EndReason values for normal play.
+	if result.EndReason != "stalemate" && result.EndReason != "turns" {
+		if err := updateCrashStrikes(ctx, tx, result.CrashedBots); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("failed to update crash strikes for match %s: %v", matchID, err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {