diff --git a/docs/bgm-format.md b/docs/bgm-format.md
index 2718671..35a9f08 100644
--- a/docs/bgm-format.md
+++ b/docs/bgm-format.md
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ string,number,number,number
 
 The router should select only the first candidate with all params matched against its props — the fields in the candidate's CSV row (e.g. `:seat` matches the candidate's `seat` value).
 
-When no candidates match, the whole route fails to match.
+A candidate inherits the route's `x`, `y`, `rotation`, and `stacking`, and may override any of them with its own values. When no candidates match, the whole route fails to match.
 
 ### Stacking
 
diff --git a/games/poker/poker.md b/games/poker/poker.md
index 11fbf66..d65c7b8 100644
--- a/games/poker/poker.md
+++ b/games/poker/poker.md
@@ -106,7 +106,6 @@ layout:
       align: center
       zStart: 0
       #zEnd: 100
-      tilt: 1
       curve: M -50 -200 C 50 -150 450 -150 550 -200
   - route: /community/:slot
     candidates:
diff --git a/packages/bgm/src/types.ts b/packages/bgm/src/types.ts
index 832b40c..e7bd2ac 100644
--- a/packages/bgm/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/bgm/src/types.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,8 @@ export interface Candidate {
   x?: number;
   y?: number;
   rotation?: number;
+  /** Stacking strategy; overrides the route's when set, else inherits it. */
+  stacking?: Stacking;
 }
 
 export interface Route {
diff --git a/packages/tabletop/src/placement.tsx b/packages/tabletop/src/placement.tsx
index 59e6b0a..859cd15 100644
--- a/packages/tabletop/src/placement.tsx
+++ b/packages/tabletop/src/placement.tsx
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ export function PartPlacement({ pkg, placement }: { pkg: Package; placement: Pla
   const part = pkg.parts.get(piece.split(':').slice(1).join(':'));
   if (!part) return null;
 
-  const { x, y, rotation, z, tilt } = useStacking(route.stacking, index, stackSize);
+  // A candidate inherits the route's stacking unless it overrides it.
+  const stacking = candidate?.stacking ?? route.stacking;
+  const { x, y, rotation, z, tilt } = useStacking(stacking, index, stackSize);
 
   // Route anchors and stacking offsets are in mm; convert to world units so
   // parts land on the (world-scaled) surface. `z` raises the part along the
diff --git a/packages/tabletop/src/state.test.ts b/packages/tabletop/src/state.test.ts
index d06e6b0..04da27a 100644
--- a/packages/tabletop/src/state.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tabletop/src/state.test.ts
@@ -98,6 +98,22 @@ describe('computeSurfacePlacements', () => {
     expect(placements[0]!.candidate).toEqual({ seat: '0', x: 40, y: 5, rotation: 1 });
   });
 
+  it('keeps the candidate stacking alongside its anchor', () => {
+    const surface = makeSurface({
+      layout: [
+        {
+          route: '/dock/:seat',
+          x: 0,
+          y: 0,
+          rotation: 0,
+          candidates: [{ seat: '0', x: 40, y: 5, stacking: { tilt: 2 } }],
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+    const placements = computeSurfacePlacements(surface, { '/dock/0': ['harbor:boat#fleet'] });
+    expect(placements[0]!.candidate).toEqual({ seat: '0', x: 40, y: 5, stacking: { tilt: 2 } });
+  });
+
   it('keeps the same piece on two paths as distinct placements', () => {
     const surface = makeSurface({
       layout: [