Section 3: Setup
- Place the game board where every player can comfortably reach it.
- Select the arrangement matching the number of players. Every active home triangle must have a destination triangle directly opposite it.
- Each player chooses a color and places all pieces of that color in the positions of the assigned home triangle.
- For a standard 10-piece army, fill all four rows of the home triangle: one piece in the tip row, two in the next row, three in the next, and four along the base.
- If two players use 15 pieces each, place the first 10 in opposite triangles and the other five in the row immediately beyond the base of each home triangle. Both players must use matching, rotationally symmetrical formations.
- Identify each player's destination before play begins. It is always the point directly across the center from that player's home.
- Choose the first player by mutual agreement or a random method. Play then proceeds clockwise.
Recommended Player Arrangements
- Two players: Sit at directly opposite points. This creates equal travel distances and direct competition along the same axis.
- Three players: Use every other point of the star. Each player's destination will be one of the three initially empty triangles.
- Four players: Use two complete pairs of opposite points. Do not place all four players on consecutive points, because that gives some players empty destinations while others must enter occupied ones.
- Six players: Fill every point. Each destination begins occupied by the opponent sitting directly across the board.
Pre-Game Agreements
Before the first move, settle any house rules that could affect strategy. In particular, agree whether players must move pieces out of an opponent's destination, whether entry into unrelated triangles is restricted, and whether finishing places beyond first will be recorded.
For a learning game, place a spare piece near the board and demonstrate one step, one jump, and a two-jump chain. Return all pieces to their starting positions before beginning.