diff --git a/solitaire_app/src/main.rs b/solitaire_app/src/main.rs
index 6c02c4d..b222363 100644
--- a/solitaire_app/src/main.rs
+++ b/solitaire_app/src/main.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use bevy::prelude::*;
-use solitaire_engine::GamePlugin;
+use solitaire_engine::{GamePlugin, TablePlugin};
 
 fn main() {
     App::new()
@@ -14,5 +14,6 @@ fn main() {
             }),
         )
         .add_plugins(GamePlugin)
+        .add_plugins(TablePlugin)
         .run();
 }
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/layout.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/layout.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed3b90d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/layout.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+//! Pure layout calculation — maps a window size to card size and pile positions.
+//!
+//! Bevy 2D uses a center-origin coordinate system: `(0, 0)` is the window
+//! center, `+y` is up, `+x` is right.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+use bevy::math::Vec2;
+use bevy::prelude::Resource;
+use solitaire_core::card::Suit;
+use solitaire_core::pile::PileType;
+
+/// Minimum supported window dimensions. Layout is still computed below this
+/// size but cards will be small.
+pub const MIN_WINDOW: Vec2 = Vec2::new(800.0, 600.0);
+
+/// Aspect ratio (height / width) of a standard playing card.
+const CARD_ASPECT: f32 = 1.4;
+
+/// Fraction of card height used as vertical padding between the top row and
+/// the tableau row.
+const VERTICAL_GAP_FRAC: f32 = 0.2;
+
+/// Table background colour (dark green felt).
+pub const TABLE_COLOUR: [f32; 3] = [0.059, 0.322, 0.196];
+
+/// Computed board layout for a given window size.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct Layout {
+    /// Width/height of a single card, in world units.
+    pub card_size: Vec2,
+    /// Centre position of each pile, in world coordinates.
+    pub pile_positions: HashMap<PileType, Vec2>,
+}
+
+/// Compute the board layout from a window size.
+///
+/// # Geometry
+/// - `card_width  = window.x / 9.0` — seven tableau columns with eight gaps
+///   (two outer margins + six inner).
+/// - `card_height = card_width * 1.4`.
+/// - Horizontal gap `h_gap = card_width / 4.0`.
+/// - Top row (stock, waste, 4 foundations) aligns with tableau columns
+///   0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 — column 2 is intentionally empty to separate the
+///   waste/stock cluster from the foundations.
+pub fn compute_layout(window: Vec2) -> Layout {
+    let window = window.max(MIN_WINDOW);
+
+    let card_width = window.x / 9.0;
+    let card_height = card_width * CARD_ASPECT;
+    let card_size = Vec2::new(card_width, card_height);
+
+    let h_gap = card_width / 4.0;
+    // With h_gap = card_width/4, total width = 7*card_width + 8*h_gap = 9*card_width.
+    // Leftmost card's centre sits at: -window.x/2 + h_gap + card_width/2.
+    let left_edge = -window.x / 2.0;
+    let col_x = |col: usize| -> f32 {
+        left_edge + h_gap + card_width / 2.0 + (col as f32) * (card_width + h_gap)
+    };
+
+    let vertical_gap = card_height * VERTICAL_GAP_FRAC;
+    let top_y = window.y / 2.0 - h_gap - card_height / 2.0;
+    let tableau_y = top_y - card_height - vertical_gap;
+
+    let mut pile_positions: HashMap<PileType, Vec2> = HashMap::with_capacity(13);
+
+    pile_positions.insert(PileType::Stock, Vec2::new(col_x(0), top_y));
+    pile_positions.insert(PileType::Waste, Vec2::new(col_x(1), top_y));
+
+    // Column 2 is skipped — visual separation between waste and foundations.
+    let foundation_suits = [Suit::Clubs, Suit::Diamonds, Suit::Hearts, Suit::Spades];
+    for (i, suit) in foundation_suits.into_iter().enumerate() {
+        pile_positions.insert(
+            PileType::Foundation(suit),
+            Vec2::new(col_x(3 + i), top_y),
+        );
+    }
+
+    for i in 0..7 {
+        pile_positions.insert(PileType::Tableau(i), Vec2::new(col_x(i), tableau_y));
+    }
+
+    Layout {
+        card_size,
+        pile_positions,
+    }
+}
+
+/// Bevy resource wrapping the current `Layout`. Recomputed on `WindowResized`.
+#[derive(Resource, Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct LayoutResource(pub Layout);
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn assert_all_piles_present(layout: &Layout) {
+        assert!(layout.pile_positions.contains_key(&PileType::Stock));
+        assert!(layout.pile_positions.contains_key(&PileType::Waste));
+        for suit in [Suit::Clubs, Suit::Diamonds, Suit::Hearts, Suit::Spades] {
+            assert!(
+                layout.pile_positions.contains_key(&PileType::Foundation(suit)),
+                "missing foundation for {:?}",
+                suit
+            );
+        }
+        for i in 0..7 {
+            assert!(
+                layout.pile_positions.contains_key(&PileType::Tableau(i)),
+                "missing tableau {i}"
+            );
+        }
+        assert_eq!(layout.pile_positions.len(), 13);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn layout_has_all_thirteen_piles() {
+        assert_all_piles_present(&compute_layout(Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0)));
+        assert_all_piles_present(&compute_layout(Vec2::new(800.0, 600.0)));
+        assert_all_piles_present(&compute_layout(Vec2::new(1920.0, 1080.0)));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn card_size_scales_with_window_width() {
+        let small = compute_layout(Vec2::new(800.0, 600.0));
+        let large = compute_layout(Vec2::new(1920.0, 1080.0));
+        assert!(large.card_size.x > small.card_size.x);
+        assert!(
+            (large.card_size.y / large.card_size.x - CARD_ASPECT).abs() < 1e-5,
+            "card aspect ratio should be preserved",
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn layout_below_minimum_clamps_to_minimum() {
+        let below = compute_layout(Vec2::new(400.0, 300.0));
+        let at_min = compute_layout(MIN_WINDOW);
+        assert_eq!(below.card_size, at_min.card_size);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tableau_columns_are_sorted_left_to_right() {
+        let layout = compute_layout(Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0));
+        for i in 0..6 {
+            let lhs = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Tableau(i)].x;
+            let rhs = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Tableau(i + 1)].x;
+            assert!(lhs < rhs, "tableau {i} should be left of tableau {}", i + 1);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn top_row_is_above_tableau_row() {
+        let layout = compute_layout(Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0));
+        let stock_y = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Stock].y;
+        let tableau_y = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Tableau(0)].y;
+        assert!(stock_y > tableau_y);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn stock_aligns_with_tableau_col_0_and_waste_with_col_1() {
+        let layout = compute_layout(Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0));
+        let stock_x = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Stock].x;
+        let waste_x = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Waste].x;
+        let t0_x = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Tableau(0)].x;
+        let t1_x = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Tableau(1)].x;
+        assert!((stock_x - t0_x).abs() < 1e-5);
+        assert!((waste_x - t1_x).abs() < 1e-5);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn foundations_align_with_tableau_cols_3_to_6() {
+        let layout = compute_layout(Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0));
+        let foundation_suits = [Suit::Clubs, Suit::Diamonds, Suit::Hearts, Suit::Spades];
+        for (i, suit) in foundation_suits.into_iter().enumerate() {
+            let f_x = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Foundation(suit)].x;
+            let t_x = layout.pile_positions[&PileType::Tableau(3 + i)].x;
+            assert!(
+                (f_x - t_x).abs() < 1e-5,
+                "foundation {:?} should align with tableau {}",
+                suit,
+                3 + i
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn all_piles_fit_inside_window_horizontally() {
+        for window in [
+            Vec2::new(800.0, 600.0),
+            Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0),
+            Vec2::new(1920.0, 1080.0),
+        ] {
+            let layout = compute_layout(window);
+            let half_w = window.x / 2.0;
+            let half_card = layout.card_size.x / 2.0;
+            for (pile, pos) in &layout.pile_positions {
+                assert!(
+                    pos.x - half_card >= -half_w - 1e-3,
+                    "{:?} overflows left at window {:?}",
+                    pile,
+                    window
+                );
+                assert!(
+                    pos.x + half_card <= half_w + 1e-3,
+                    "{:?} overflows right at window {:?}",
+                    pile,
+                    window
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs
index bd4ac60..0c25140 100644
--- a/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -6,11 +6,15 @@
 
 pub mod events;
 pub mod game_plugin;
+pub mod layout;
 pub mod resources;
+pub mod table_plugin;
 
 pub use events::{
     CardFlippedEvent, DrawRequestEvent, GameWonEvent, MoveRequestEvent, NewGameRequestEvent,
     StateChangedEvent, UndoRequestEvent,
 };
 pub use game_plugin::GamePlugin;
+pub use layout::{compute_layout, Layout, LayoutResource};
 pub use resources::{DragState, GameStateResource, SyncStatus, SyncStatusResource};
+pub use table_plugin::{PileMarker, TableBackground, TablePlugin};
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/table_plugin.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/table_plugin.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d4824e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/table_plugin.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+//! Renders the static table: felt background and empty pile markers.
+//!
+//! Pile markers are translucent rectangles that sit beneath any cards. They
+//! remain visible only where a pile is empty, so the player can see where to
+//! drop cards. All geometry comes from `LayoutResource`.
+
+use bevy::prelude::*;
+use bevy::window::WindowResized;
+use solitaire_core::card::Suit;
+use solitaire_core::pile::PileType;
+
+use crate::layout::{compute_layout, Layout, LayoutResource, TABLE_COLOUR};
+
+/// Z-depth used for the background — below everything.
+const Z_BACKGROUND: f32 = -10.0;
+/// Z-depth used for pile markers — below cards (which start at 0) but above
+/// the background.
+const Z_PILE_MARKER: f32 = -1.0;
+
+/// Marker component for the table felt background.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct TableBackground;
+
+/// Marker component attached to each of the 13 empty-pile placeholders.
+#[derive(Component, Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct PileMarker(pub PileType);
+
+/// Registers the table background and pile-marker rendering.
+pub struct TablePlugin;
+
+impl Plugin for TablePlugin {
+    fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
+        // Register WindowResized so the plugin works under MinimalPlugins in
+        // tests. Under DefaultPlugins, bevy_window has already registered it
+        // and this call is a no-op.
+        app.add_event::<WindowResized>()
+            .add_systems(Startup, setup_table)
+            .add_systems(Update, on_window_resized);
+    }
+}
+
+fn default_window_size(window: &Window) -> Vec2 {
+    Vec2::new(window.resolution.width(), window.resolution.height())
+}
+
+fn setup_table(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    windows: Query<&Window>,
+    existing_camera: Query<(), With<Camera>>,
+) {
+    // Only spawn a camera if one does not already exist (e.g. a parent app
+    // may have added one in tests).
+    if existing_camera.is_empty() {
+        commands.spawn(Camera2d);
+    }
+
+    let window_size = windows
+        .iter()
+        .next()
+        .map(default_window_size)
+        .unwrap_or(Vec2::new(1280.0, 800.0));
+    let layout = compute_layout(window_size);
+
+    spawn_background(&mut commands, window_size);
+    spawn_pile_markers(&mut commands, &layout);
+    commands.insert_resource(LayoutResource(layout));
+}
+
+fn spawn_background(commands: &mut Commands, window_size: Vec2) {
+    // Spawn a felt-coloured rectangle that always covers the window. We give
+    // it the window size plus headroom so resizing up doesn't expose edges
+    // before the resize handler runs.
+    commands.spawn((
+        Sprite {
+            color: Color::srgb(TABLE_COLOUR[0], TABLE_COLOUR[1], TABLE_COLOUR[2]),
+            custom_size: Some(window_size * 2.0),
+            ..default()
+        },
+        Transform::from_xyz(0.0, 0.0, Z_BACKGROUND),
+        TableBackground,
+    ));
+}
+
+fn spawn_pile_markers(commands: &mut Commands, layout: &Layout) {
+    let marker_colour = Color::srgba(1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 0.08);
+    let marker_size = layout.card_size;
+
+    let mut piles: Vec<PileType> = Vec::with_capacity(13);
+    piles.push(PileType::Stock);
+    piles.push(PileType::Waste);
+    for suit in [Suit::Clubs, Suit::Diamonds, Suit::Hearts, Suit::Spades] {
+        piles.push(PileType::Foundation(suit));
+    }
+    for i in 0..7 {
+        piles.push(PileType::Tableau(i));
+    }
+
+    for pile in piles {
+        let pos = layout.pile_positions[&pile];
+        commands.spawn((
+            Sprite {
+                color: marker_colour,
+                custom_size: Some(marker_size),
+                ..default()
+            },
+            Transform::from_xyz(pos.x, pos.y, Z_PILE_MARKER),
+            PileMarker(pile),
+        ));
+    }
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
+fn on_window_resized(
+    mut events: EventReader<WindowResized>,
+    mut layout_res: Option<ResMut<LayoutResource>>,
+    mut backgrounds: Query<
+        (&mut Sprite, &mut Transform),
+        (With<TableBackground>, Without<PileMarker>),
+    >,
+    mut markers: Query<(&PileMarker, &mut Sprite, &mut Transform), Without<TableBackground>>,
+) {
+    let Some(ev) = events.read().last() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    let window_size = Vec2::new(ev.width, ev.height);
+    let new_layout = compute_layout(window_size);
+
+    if let Some(layout_res) = layout_res.as_deref_mut() {
+        layout_res.0 = new_layout.clone();
+    }
+
+    for (mut sprite, mut transform) in &mut backgrounds {
+        sprite.custom_size = Some(window_size * 2.0);
+        transform.translation.x = 0.0;
+        transform.translation.y = 0.0;
+    }
+
+    for (marker, mut sprite, mut transform) in &mut markers {
+        if let Some(pos) = new_layout.pile_positions.get(&marker.0) {
+            sprite.custom_size = Some(new_layout.card_size);
+            transform.translation.x = pos.x;
+            transform.translation.y = pos.y;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::game_plugin::GamePlugin;
+
+    /// Minimal headless app — omits windowing so pile markers are spawned with
+    /// the default 1280×800 layout and no camera is created.
+    fn headless_app() -> App {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins)
+            .add_plugins(GamePlugin)
+            .add_plugins(TablePlugin);
+        app.update();
+        app
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_plugin_spawns_thirteen_pile_markers() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let count = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query::<&PileMarker>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count();
+        assert_eq!(count, 13);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_plugin_spawns_one_background() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let count = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query::<&TableBackground>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count();
+        assert_eq!(count, 1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_plugin_inserts_layout_resource() {
+        let app = headless_app();
+        assert!(app.world().get_resource::<LayoutResource>().is_some());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn every_pile_marker_has_unique_type() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let mut types: Vec<PileType> = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query::<&PileMarker>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .map(|m| m.0.clone())
+            .collect();
+        types.sort_by_key(|p| format!("{p:?}"));
+        types.dedup();
+        assert_eq!(types.len(), 13);
+    }
+}