diff --git a/src/accessories/SearchAssistant.ttslua b/src/accessories/SearchAssistant.ttslua
index e5f78a88..b0db1815 100644
--- a/src/accessories/SearchAssistant.ttslua
+++ b/src/accessories/SearchAssistant.ttslua
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ local searchLib                 = require("util/SearchLib")
 -- forward declaration of variables that are used across functions
 local matColor, handColor, setAsidePosition, setAsideRotation, drawDeckPosition, topCardDetected
 local addedVectorLines, addedSnapPoint
+local ongoingSearch = false
 
 local quickParameters           = {}
 quickParameters.function_owner  = self
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ end
 
 -- regular view with search box
 function normalView()
+  ongoingSearch = false
   self.clearButtons()
 
   -- create buttons to search 3, 6 or 9 cards
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ function search12(_, playerColor) startSearch(playerColor, 12) end
 
 -- view during a search with "done" buttons
 function searchView()
+  ongoingSearch = true
   self.clearButtons()
 
   -- create the "End Search" button
@@ -75,6 +78,7 @@ end
 
 -- start the search (change UI, set handCards aside, draw cards)
 function startSearch(messageColor, number)
+  if ongoingSearch then return end
   matColor = playermatApi.getMatColorByPosition(self.getPosition())
   handColor = playermatApi.getPlayerColor(matColor)
   topCardDetected = false
@@ -106,10 +110,7 @@ function startSearch(messageColor, number)
   printToColor("Place target(s) of search on set aside spot.", messageColor, "Green")
 
   -- get playermat orientation
-  local offset = -15
-  if matColor == "Orange" or matColor == "Red" then
-    offset = 15
-  end
+  local offset = self.getBoundsNormalized().center.z < 0 and 15 or -15
 
   -- get position and rotation for set aside cards
   local handData   = Player[handColor].getHandTransform()