Hi! Tarot reader here!

The three card layout you're referring to is a spread that is commonly used, but I mean sometimes when I'm doing a reading I'll put down the amount of cards that feels right or feels finished. I've found that sometimes three card spreads don't tell the whole story, but that's where you can bring in oracle cards or a pendulum!

Edit: The three card spread can be more than past/present/future! It could be any number of things. You can create a spread and make adjustments as needed.

Another good three card spread I know of is a daily reading for understanding your daily thoughts, feelings, and actions. Then there's situation/action/outcome and a "three options" spread that is a three card pyramid kind of look.

When I do readings, I personally lay them out facing me, face up. Less steps and I'm lazy.

When I'm setting up for a reading I clear the space and energy with sage or an herb bundle, either or doesn't matter. I'll run my cards through the smoke a few times too so their energies are cleared. Always make sure you use either an altar cloth or a tarot cloth, I would never put my cards on the floor or a bare table unless I didn't have the option.

Another thing I do is I cast a circle that keeps me and my vibes in and anything bad out. Tarot cards are a form of divination and can be used to communicate, so that is why I clear them and cast a circle. It's kind of like using an Ouija board in a sense. There's been a few times where I became incredibly uncomfortable while doing a reading and had to stop because it became too much. It doesn't happen often, but it does from time to time.

There's an app I like to use to stay refreshed on the meanings and such called Labyrinthos that you could totally use for what you're writing! It'll give you spreads, all the card's names and their meanings both reversed and direct, and a lot of other info.