...and spreading it out on a table and seeing what works and what doesn't, and then adapting as needed during game-play.

Ex: This card should always be discarded... Or must never discard this one... Always play this card as quickly as possible...

If you watched any of the gameplay vids, it looks like most cards that are 'I might be able to use this, but only situationally' tend to generate æmber just for playing them. So there won't be many 'always discarded' ones. Just a bunch of 'play for the money, and who knows, you might be able to use its effect, too' ones, instead.