Agree on the loan before opening
Confirm the return date and whether any materials should remain sealed. Ask which expansions are included and whether the owner has a preferred packing arrangement. Take a component inventory or photograph with permission, avoiding spoiler-sensitive content. Keep the owner's rules notes with the box.
Do not add permanent labels, punch optional materials or mix in your own components without agreement. If the game needs an app or code, check how the loan should work before trying to redeem anything. A physical loan does not necessarily include transferable digital access.
Test the role you have in mind
Use your usual player count and available table if possible. Time the complete session roughly, including setup and packing, rather than measuring only the turns. Notice whether the game fits the evening comfortably or creates pressure to rush. A successful demonstration at somebody else's larger table may not predict use at home.
During play, ask what you enjoy doing. Is it the repeated choice, the social interaction or merely the surprise of new content? Notice waiting time and how often players need help. One session can be affected by teaching or mistakes, so distinguish those issues from features built into the game.
Reflect before purchasing
Ask whether the group wants another session, and why. A close win is not the only sign of a good fit, and a loss is not evidence of a bad one. Consider whether learning has opened interesting possibilities or whether the central activity simply does not appeal.
Compare the proposed purchase with games you already own. If it fills the same role, identify the difference that would make you choose it. Borrowing has done its job even if the answer is not to buy. You gained useful information without committing storage space.
Ask the owner about a setup detail only after checking their supplied rules and notes. They may know a recurring mistake that improves the trial, but they should not need to supervise the entire loan remotely. Keep questions specific and return any borrowed accessories with the same box.
