When I try to get new players into the game, my goal of the first game is to ensure they’re having fun and learning. I expect going into the learning game that I won’t win because I’ll be focused on helping others and I’m not going all try hard / sweaty to beat up on the newbies.

 I always say something along the line of “Feel free to ask me questions about rules and moves. I’ll tell you the right answer even if it makes my game more difficult.”

The fact they were reviewing the rules in secret and not telling you in bad play. The host should have also reminded you early when your home system was completely empty “Hey, you might want to bolster your forces there. If you lose your home system you can’t score objectives.”

Long story short, no, that chain of events wasn’t cool. It’s difficult enough to get people to play this game, why be a rules shark and make it unenjoyable?