diff --git a/lib/src/model/game/create_game_service.dart b/lib/src/model/game/create_game_service.dart
index 49cbec3971..637559f2cc 100644
--- a/lib/src/model/game/create_game_service.dart
+++ b/lib/src/model/game/create_game_service.dart
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/socket.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/lobby_repository.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_socket.dart';
-import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_session.dart';
-import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart';
 
 part 'create_game_service.g.dart';
 
@@ -27,15 +25,12 @@ class CreateGameService {
 
   StreamSubscription<SocketEvent>? _socketSubscription;
 
-  /// Create a new online game seek based on saved preferences.
-  Future<GameFullId> newLobbyGame() async {
+  Future<GameFullId> newLobbyGame(GameSeek seek) async {
     if (_socketSubscription != null) {
       throw StateError('Already creating a game.');
     }
 
-    final session = ref.read(authSessionProvider);
     final socket = ref.read(authSocketProvider);
-    final playPref = ref.read(playPreferencesProvider);
     final lobbyRepo = ref.read(lobbyRepositoryProvider);
     final (stream, socketReady) = socket.connect(Uri(path: '/lobby/socket/v5'));
     final completer = Completer<GameFullId>();
@@ -55,11 +50,7 @@ class CreateGameService {
 
     await Result.release(
       lobbyRepo.createSeek(
-        GameSeek(
-          time: Duration(seconds: playPref.timeIncrement.time),
-          increment: Duration(seconds: playPref.timeIncrement.increment),
-          rated: session != null,
-        ),
+        seek,
         sri: socket.sri,
       ),
     );
diff --git a/lib/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart b/lib/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart
index 7969fd5772..66ed59ddcc 100644
--- a/lib/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart
+++ b/lib/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 import 'package:freezed_annotation/freezed_annotation.dart';
 import 'package:dartchess/dartchess.dart';
 
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_session.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/time_increment.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/speed.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/chess.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart';
 
 part 'game_seek.freezed.dart';
 
 @freezed
 class GameSeek with _$GameSeek {
   const GameSeek._();
+
   const factory GameSeek({
     required Duration time,
     required Duration increment,
@@ -16,6 +21,42 @@ class GameSeek with _$GameSeek {
     Side? side,
   }) = _GameSeek;
 
+  factory GameSeek.fastPairingSeekFromPrefs(
+    PlayPrefs playPref,
+    AuthSessionState? session,
+  ) {
+    return GameSeek(
+      time: Duration(seconds: playPref.timeIncrement.time),
+      increment: Duration(seconds: playPref.timeIncrement.increment),
+      rated: session != null,
+    );
+  }
+
+  factory GameSeek.customSeekFromPrefs(
+    PlayPrefs playPref,
+    AuthSessionState? session,
+  ) {
+    return GameSeek(
+      time: Duration(seconds: playPref.customTimeSeconds),
+      increment: Duration(seconds: playPref.customIncrementSeconds),
+      rated: session != null && playPref.customRated,
+      variant: playPref.customVariant,
+      side: playPref.customRated == true ||
+              playPref.customSide == PlayableSide.random
+          ? null
+          : playPref.customSide == PlayableSide.white
+              ? Side.white
+              : Side.black,
+    );
+  }
+
+  TimeIncrement get timeIncrement => TimeIncrement(
+        time.inSeconds,
+        increment.inSeconds,
+      );
+
+  Speed get speed => Speed.fromTimeIncrement(timeIncrement);
+
   Map<String, String> get requestBody => {
         'time': (time.inSeconds / 60).toString(),
         'increment': increment.inSeconds.toString(),
diff --git a/lib/src/model/game/lobby_game.dart b/lib/src/model/lobby/lobby_game.dart
similarity index 88%
rename from lib/src/model/game/lobby_game.dart
rename to lib/src/model/lobby/lobby_game.dart
index 8c62f4d935..c45ae620f8 100644
--- a/lib/src/model/game/lobby_game.dart
+++ b/lib/src/model/lobby/lobby_game.dart
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ import 'package:riverpod_annotation/riverpod_annotation.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/id.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/game/create_game_service.dart';
 
+import 'game_seek.dart';
+
 part 'lobby_game.g.dart';
 
 /// The [LobbyGame] provider is used to create a new online game from the lobby
@@ -16,20 +18,20 @@ class LobbyGame extends _$LobbyGame {
   late Object? _key;
 
   @override
-  Future<GameFullId> build() {
+  Future<GameFullId> build(GameSeek seek) {
     _key = Object();
     ref.onDispose(() {
       _service.cancel();
       _key = null;
     });
-    return _service.newLobbyGame();
+    return _service.newLobbyGame(seek);
   }
 
   Future<void> newOpponent() async {
     final key = _key;
     state = const AsyncValue.loading();
     final newState = await AsyncValue.guard(() {
-      return _service.newLobbyGame();
+      return _service.newLobbyGame(seek);
     });
     // mounted property check logic from:
     // https://github.com/rrousselGit/riverpod/issues/1879#issuecomment-1303189191
diff --git a/lib/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart b/lib/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart
index 9ce56c0ce7..7cb169bbd7 100644
--- a/lib/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart
+++ b/lib/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import 'dart:convert';
-import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
 import 'package:riverpod_annotation/riverpod_annotation.dart';
 import 'package:freezed_annotation/freezed_annotation.dart';
-import 'package:dartchess/dartchess.dart';
 
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/db/shared_preferences.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/time_increment.dart';
@@ -13,6 +11,8 @@ part 'play_preferences.g.dart';
 
 const _prefKey = 'preferences.play';
 
+enum PlayableSide { random, white, black }
+
 @Riverpod(keepAlive: true)
 class PlayPreferences extends _$PlayPreferences {
   @override
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class PlayPreferences extends _$PlayPreferences {
     return _save(state.copyWith(customRated: rated));
   }
 
-  Future<void> setCustomSide(Side? side) {
+  Future<void> setCustomSide(PlayableSide side) {
     return _save(state.copyWith(customSide: side));
   }
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class PlayPrefs with _$PlayPrefs {
     required int customIncrementSeconds,
     required Variant customVariant,
     required bool customRated,
-    Side? customSide,
+    required PlayableSide customSide,
   }) = _PlayPrefs;
 
   static const defaults = PlayPrefs(
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class PlayPrefs with _$PlayPrefs {
     customIncrementSeconds: 0,
     customVariant: Variant.standard,
     customRated: false,
-    customSide: null,
+    customSide: PlayableSide.random,
   );
 
   factory PlayPrefs.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) {
@@ -92,8 +92,6 @@ class PlayPrefs with _$PlayPrefs {
       return defaults;
     }
   }
-
-  IconData get speedIcon => timeIncrement.speed.icon;
 }
 
 const kAvailableTimesInSeconds = [
diff --git a/lib/src/view/game/game_screen.dart b/lib/src/view/game/game_screen.dart
index deac7b5463..80cd759e0e 100644
--- a/lib/src/view/game/game_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/src/view/game/game_screen.dart
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 import 'package:dartchess/dartchess.dart';
 import 'package:chessground/chessground.dart' as cg;
 
-import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_session.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_socket.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/game/game_ctrl.dart';
-import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/game/lobby_game.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/game/game_status.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/lobby_game.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/board_preferences.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/general_preferences.dart';
@@ -39,9 +39,12 @@ final RouteObserver<PageRoute<void>> gameRouteObserver =
 
 class GameScreen extends ConsumerStatefulWidget {
   const GameScreen({
+    required this.seek,
     super.key,
   });
 
+  final GameSeek seek;
+
   @override
   ConsumerState<GameScreen> createState() => _GameScreenState();
 }
@@ -70,7 +73,8 @@ class _GameScreenState extends ConsumerState<GameScreen>
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    final gameId = ref.watch(lobbyGameProvider);
+    final gameProvider = lobbyGameProvider(widget.seek);
+    final gameId = ref.watch(gameProvider);
     final playPrefs = ref.watch(playPreferencesProvider);
 
     return gameId.when(
@@ -79,7 +83,11 @@ class _GameScreenState extends ConsumerState<GameScreen>
         final gameState = ref.watch(ctrlProvider);
         return gameState.when(
           data: (state) {
-            final body = _Body(gameState: state, ctrlProvider: ctrlProvider);
+            final body = _Body(
+              gameState: state,
+              ctrlProvider: ctrlProvider,
+              gameProvider: gameProvider,
+            );
             return PlatformWidget(
               androidBuilder: (context) => _androidBuilder(
                 context: context,
@@ -158,7 +166,7 @@ class _GameScreenState extends ConsumerState<GameScreen>
                 child: PingRating(size: 24.0),
               )
             : null,
-        title: _GameTitle(playPrefs: playPrefs),
+        title: _GameTitle(seek: widget.seek),
         actions: [
           SettingsButton(
             onPressed: () => showAdaptiveBottomSheet<void>(
@@ -188,7 +196,7 @@ class _GameScreenState extends ConsumerState<GameScreen>
                 child: PingRating(size: 24.0),
               )
             : null,
-        middle: _GameTitle(playPrefs: playPrefs),
+        middle: _GameTitle(seek: widget.seek),
         trailing: SettingsButton(
           onPressed: () => showAdaptiveBottomSheet<void>(
             context: context,
@@ -204,24 +212,24 @@ class _GameScreenState extends ConsumerState<GameScreen>
 
 class _GameTitle extends ConsumerWidget {
   const _GameTitle({
-    required this.playPrefs,
+    required this.seek,
   });
 
-  final PlayPrefs playPrefs;
+  final GameSeek seek;
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
-    final session = ref.watch(authSessionProvider);
-    final mode = session == null ? '' : ' • ${context.l10n.rated}';
+    final mode =
+        seek.rated ? ' • ${context.l10n.rated}' : ' • ${context.l10n.casual}';
     return Row(
       mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.center,
       children: [
         Icon(
-          playPrefs.speedIcon,
+          seek.speed.icon,
           color: DefaultTextStyle.of(context).style.color,
         ),
         const SizedBox(width: 4.0),
-        Text('${playPrefs.timeIncrement.display}$mode'),
+        Text('${seek.timeIncrement.display}$mode'),
       ],
     );
   }
@@ -231,10 +239,12 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
   const _Body({
     required this.gameState,
     required this.ctrlProvider,
+    required this.gameProvider,
   });
 
   final GameCtrlState gameState;
   final GameCtrlProvider ctrlProvider;
+  final LobbyGameProvider gameProvider;
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
@@ -247,6 +257,7 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
               context: context,
               builder: (context) => _GameEndDialog(
                 ctrlProvider: ctrlProvider,
+                gameProvider: gameProvider,
               ),
               barrierDismissible: true,
             );
@@ -268,7 +279,7 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
           // Be sure to pop any dialogs that might be on top of the game screen.
           Navigator.of(context).popUntil((route) => route is! RawDialogRoute);
           ref
-              .read(lobbyGameProvider.notifier)
+              .read(gameProvider.notifier)
               .rematch(state.requireValue.redirectGameId!);
         }
       }
@@ -365,7 +376,11 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
             ),
           ),
         ),
-        _GameBottomBar(gameState: gameState, ctrlProvider: ctrlProvider),
+        _GameBottomBar(
+          gameState: gameState,
+          ctrlProvider: ctrlProvider,
+          gameProvider: gameProvider,
+        ),
       ],
     );
 
@@ -440,10 +455,12 @@ class _GameBottomBar extends ConsumerWidget {
   const _GameBottomBar({
     required this.gameState,
     required this.ctrlProvider,
+    required this.gameProvider,
   });
 
   final GameCtrlState gameState;
   final GameCtrlProvider ctrlProvider;
+  final LobbyGameProvider gameProvider;
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
@@ -694,7 +711,7 @@ class _GameBottomBar extends ConsumerWidget {
           BottomSheetAction(
             label: Text(context.l10n.newOpponent),
             onPressed: (_) {
-              ref.read(lobbyGameProvider.notifier).newOpponent();
+              ref.read(gameProvider.notifier).newOpponent();
             },
           ),
       ],
@@ -705,9 +722,11 @@ class _GameBottomBar extends ConsumerWidget {
 class _GameEndDialog extends ConsumerStatefulWidget {
   const _GameEndDialog({
     required this.ctrlProvider,
+    required this.gameProvider,
   });
 
   final GameCtrlProvider ctrlProvider;
+  final LobbyGameProvider gameProvider;
 
   @override
   ConsumerState<_GameEndDialog> createState() => _GameEndDialogState();
@@ -796,7 +815,7 @@ class _GameEndDialogState extends ConsumerState<_GameEndDialog> {
           semanticsLabel: context.l10n.newOpponent,
           onPressed: _activateButtons
               ? () {
-                  ref.read(lobbyGameProvider.notifier).newOpponent();
+                  ref.read(widget.gameProvider.notifier).newOpponent();
                   // Other alert dialogs may be shown before this one, so be sure to pop them all
                   Navigator.of(context)
                       .popUntil((route) => route is! RawDialogRoute);
diff --git a/lib/src/view/home/home_screen.dart b/lib/src/view/home/home_screen.dart
index 4284318b84..1d98e13767 100644
--- a/lib/src/view/home/home_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/src/view/home/home_screen.dart
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/feedback.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/platform.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/bottom_navigation.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_session.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/puzzle/puzzle.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/puzzle/puzzle_theme.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/puzzle/puzzle_service.dart';
@@ -340,8 +341,8 @@ class _CreateAGame extends ConsumerWidget {
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
-    final timeControlPref = ref
-        .watch(playPreferencesProvider.select((prefs) => prefs.timeIncrement));
+    final playPrefs = ref.watch(playPreferencesProvider);
+    final session = ref.watch(authSessionProvider);
     return SmallBoardPreview(
       orientation: Side.white.cg,
       fen: kInitialFEN,
@@ -356,12 +357,12 @@ class _CreateAGame extends ConsumerWidget {
           Row(
             children: [
               Icon(
-                timeControlPref.speed.icon,
+                playPrefs.timeIncrement.speed.icon,
                 size: 20,
                 color: DefaultTextStyle.of(context).style.color,
               ),
               const SizedBox(width: 5),
-              Text(timeControlPref.display, style: Styles.timeControl),
+              Text(playPrefs.timeIncrement.display, style: Styles.timeControl),
             ],
           ),
         ],
@@ -371,7 +372,9 @@ class _CreateAGame extends ConsumerWidget {
           context,
           rootNavigator: true,
           builder: (BuildContext context) {
-            return const GameScreen();
+            return GameScreen(
+              seek: GameSeek.fastPairingSeekFromPrefs(playPrefs, session),
+            );
           },
         );
       },
diff --git a/lib/src/view/play/custom_play_screen.dart b/lib/src/view/play/custom_play_screen.dart
index f54b74b26e..16632aae00 100644
--- a/lib/src/view/play/custom_play_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/src/view/play/custom_play_screen.dart
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/list.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/platform.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/non_linear_slider.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_session.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/common/chess.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/view/game/game_screen.dart';
@@ -141,6 +142,27 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
                 },
               ),
             ),
+          if (preferences.customRated == false)
+            PlatformListTile(
+              title: Text(context.l10n.side),
+              trailing: AdaptiveTextButton(
+                onPressed: () {
+                  showChoicePicker<PlayableSide>(
+                    context,
+                    choices: PlayableSide.values,
+                    selectedItem: preferences.customSide,
+                    labelBuilder: (PlayableSide side) =>
+                        Text(_customSideLabel(context, side)),
+                    onSelectedItemChanged: (PlayableSide side) {
+                      ref
+                          .read(playPreferencesProvider.notifier)
+                          .setCustomSide(side);
+                    },
+                  );
+                },
+                child: Text(_customSideLabel(context, preferences.customSide)),
+              ),
+            ),
           const SizedBox(height: 20),
           Padding(
             padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 20.0),
@@ -152,7 +174,12 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
                         context,
                         rootNavigator: true,
                         builder: (BuildContext context) {
-                          return const GameScreen();
+                          return GameScreen(
+                            seek: GameSeek.customSeekFromPrefs(
+                              preferences,
+                              session,
+                            ),
+                          );
                         },
                       );
                     }
@@ -180,3 +207,14 @@ String _clockTimeLabel(num seconds) {
       return '${(seconds / 60).floor()}';
   }
 }
+
+String _customSideLabel(BuildContext context, PlayableSide side) {
+  switch (side) {
+    case PlayableSide.white:
+      return context.l10n.white;
+    case PlayableSide.black:
+      return context.l10n.black;
+    case PlayableSide.random:
+      return context.l10n.randomColor;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/src/view/play/play_screen.dart b/lib/src/view/play/play_screen.dart
index 5bfa6a8718..7b8601677b 100644
--- a/lib/src/view/play/play_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/src/view/play/play_screen.dart
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/utils/navigation.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/buttons.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/platform.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/widgets/adaptive_bottom_sheet.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/auth/auth_session.dart';
+import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/lobby/game_seek.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/model/settings/play_preferences.dart';
 import 'package:lichess_mobile/src/view/game/game_screen.dart';
 
@@ -45,6 +47,8 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
+    final playPrefs = ref.watch(playPreferencesProvider);
+    final session = ref.watch(authSessionProvider);
     return Center(
       child: Column(
         mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.max,
@@ -65,7 +69,10 @@ class _Body extends ConsumerWidget {
                   context,
                   rootNavigator: true,
                   builder: (BuildContext context) {
-                    return const GameScreen();
+                    return GameScreen(
+                      seek:
+                          GameSeek.fastPairingSeekFromPrefs(playPrefs, session),
+                    );
                   },
                 );
               },