Quick Tips: Beginning the game

[SpinxKreuz]

Beginning the game the right way is important, else you'll get beat quickly by a simple 4-flower Harmony.
Stick to these simple rules to not get behind in the early game:

• Always start with either the White Jade (White 5) or Rhododendron (Red 5).
  
  
• The second flower has to harmonize with your first placed flower.
  

• Don't move out to the side of a gate. 
  You can't form a Harmony through a gate, so a flower next to a gate can't really be used in a Harmony Ring. (Also applies to Harmonies along the midlines.)
  

• Every flower you place in a gate should harmonize with at least one of your flowers on the board.
  

• Try to get a Harmony Bonus with every move you make.
  You should form your first Harmony no later than on your 4th turn. Then, always form a Harmony when moving out of a gate and place a new flower in one of the gates.
  

• Don't play the Orchid too early. 
  Having an Orchid in a gate prevents you from planting flower tiles as a Harmony Bonus and it costs you one turn to move the Orchid out of the gate.
  
  
• Watch out when playing the White Lotus, it can be abused by the opponent!
  
  
• When your opponent has 4 flower tiles on the board, check if he can finish the game with 1 or 2 moves, and block him if necessary.
  Always keep in mind that tiles can be moved by the boat and wheel.
  
  
• More flowers on the board means more possibilities to create Harmonies.
  Also, it's harder for your opponent to block you.
  

[DBDrifter]

Thank you! As someone new to the game this is very useful given how little strategy material I've been able to find.

[SpinxKreuz]

These are just some basic rules for the early game. I'll probably make some more posts explaining the Accent tiles and going deeper into Blocking.

[MrSns]

Excellent post SpinxKreuz. As DBDrifter said it’s good to see some strategy material.

[BaronAlbatross]

Regarding tip 3, I have noticed a technique being used that involves starting with W3, plandting R1 to one side, not opposite, moving W3 straight out, then moving R1 sideways from the gate to get a harmony on turn 3. This really speeds up the planting process, but requires more moves later to create a ring.
Is there a better way to gain momentum early in the game?