If you have never read TEN by Fukumoto Nobuyuki at the end of episode 10 is a sort of spoiler to the AKAGI manga. Since the manga is still ongoing they don't spell it out completely and leave it open to interpretation. Hopefully if the ratings were high enough they could do infrequent specials to continue because Fukumoto put some crazy into his psychological suspense later on. Season 1 ends with chapter 211 of the manga.

I hit me while watching the 10th episode. There is probably a person under/in the table passing up the proper tiles. Then I imagine that person below the opening holding a tray that is set in the right order and waiting with the next tile ready for the next hand to grab it then repeat.