From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in A Thief's Fortune?
Artipia Games English base-game rulebook, 2018 publication

Whoever most recently borrowed something and never returned it starts the first round and takes the Starting Player token.
Official tie-break or fallback
If that criterion is tied, choose randomly.
Rule details
The first player to pass during a round becomes the starting player for the next round.
The starting player begins the opening Planning and Action phases; card choices during the draft are made simultaneously.
Source & edition
- A Thief's Fortune: Artipia Games English base-game rulesArtipia Games · Setup; 4.1 Planning Phase; 4.3 Action Phase · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 6, 8, 9
Image: © Artipia Games and credited cover artists · Artipia Games
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
The Quacks of QuedlinburgWhoever most recently cooked something is the first round's starting player.
Smash Up: Cease and DesistThe player who most recently borrowed something starts.
La Cosa NostraThe player who most recently committed a crime starts and takes the starting-player token.
Anno 1800: The Board GameWhoever was abroad most recently takes the starting-player token and starts the game.
Tzolk'in: The Mayan CalendarThe player who most recently sacrificed something receives the starting-player marker.
Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.