Lay out the starting state first
Place each tile, stack, token, and space where it should appear when the session begins.
Focus on the playable opening position before you worry about alternate states or edge cases.
Use the table to teach the game
A strong first layout reduces explanation time. Group related pieces together and keep shared supplies easy to spot.
Useful habits:
- keep player areas visually separate
- place draw and discard stacks where players expect them
- use annotations or spaces when placement rules need reinforcement
Test the flow yourself
Before inviting players, step through the first few turns on your own. If setup feels awkward for you, it will be worse for first-time players.