diff --git a/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/layout/game_list.xml b/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/layout/game_list.xml
index 06170e9f0..3b6d7171f 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/layout/game_list.xml
+++ b/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/layout/game_list.xml
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
             android:layout_width="wrap_content"
             android:text="@string/empty_games_list"
             android:textAppearance="?android:attr/textAppearanceMedium"
+            android:background="#FF202020"
+            android:gravity="center"
             />
 
   <ListView android:id="@id/android:list"
diff --git a/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/values/strings.xml b/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/values/strings.xml
index 6f3ecd3dd..d3b17e759 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/xwords4/android/XWords4/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -532,6 +532,7 @@
 
     <string name="empty_games_list">Use one of the buttons below to
       create a game. Then tap the game to play or long-tap it for
-      other options.</string>
+      other options.\n(This hint will disappear whenever there are
+      more than two games in the list.)</string>
 
 </resources>
diff --git a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GamesList.java b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GamesList.java
index 10ae64751..5ea19502f 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GamesList.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GamesList.java
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ public class GamesList extends XWListActivity
     public void onContentChanged()
     {
         int count = DBUtils.gamesList( this ).length;
-        int hereOrGone = count > 3 ? View.GONE : View.VISIBLE;
+        int hereOrGone = count > 2 ? View.GONE : View.VISIBLE;
         View hint = findViewById( R.id.empty_games_list );
         hint.setVisibility( hereOrGone );