Separate the 6 Order of Play cards from the Castle cards and give 1 to each player. Keep this card in view to remember the steps of each turn. Set any remaining Order of Play cards aside; they will not be used in the game.

Shuffle the Castle cards and deal a hand faceup to each player. Since Castle Panic is cooperative, there is no need to keep cards secret. The number of cards in the hand depends on the number of players. Use the chart below to determine how many cards to deal to each player

Place the remainder of the Castle deck facedown. This will be the draw pile. Leave room for a faceup discard pile next to the draw pile.