diff --git a/pyfpdb/fpdb_simple.py b/pyfpdb/fpdb_simple.py
index 762f8095..ac09a394 100644
--- a/pyfpdb/fpdb_simple.py
+++ b/pyfpdb/fpdb_simple.py
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ def parsePositions (hand, names):
 	if (bb!=-1):
 		bb=recognisePlayerNo(bb, names, "bet")
 		
-	#print "sb = ", sb, "bb = ", bb
+#   print "sb = ", sb, "bb = ", bb
 	if bb == sb:
 		sbExists = False
 		sb = -1
@@ -915,16 +915,25 @@ def parsePositions (hand, names):
 		positions[arraypos]=distFromBtn
 		arraypos-=1
 		distFromBtn+=1
+	# eric - this takes into account dead seats between blinds
+	if sbExists:
+		i = bb - 1
+		while positions[i] < 0 and i != sb:
+			positions[i] = 9
+			i -= 1
+	### RHH - Changed to set the null seats before BB to "9"			
+	if sbExists:
+		i = sb-1
+	else:
+		i = bb-1
 
-	### RHH - Changed to set the null seats before BB to "9"
-	i=bb-1
 	while positions[i] < 0:
 		positions[i]=9
 		i-=1
 	
 	arraypos=len(names)-1
-	if (bb!=0 or (bb==0 and sbExists==False)):
-		while (arraypos>bb):
+	if (bb!=0 or (bb==0 and sbExists==False) or (bb == 1 and sb != arraypos) ):
+		while (arraypos>bb and arraypos > sb):
 			positions[arraypos]=distFromBtn
 			arraypos-=1
 			distFromBtn+=1
@@ -934,7 +943,7 @@ def parsePositions (hand, names):
 			print "parsePositions names:",names
 			print "result:",positions
 			raise FpdbError ("failed to read positions")
-	#print str(positions), "\n"
+    #print str(positions), "\n"
 	return positions
 #end def parsePositions