Who goes first in Agricola?
Revised Edition, Lookout Games English rules, 2016
Randomly determine who gets the starting player token. That player gets 2 food; each other player gets 3 food.
Rule details
In each work phase, players place people beginning with the starting player and continuing clockwise.
The starting player does not change automatically. A player becomes starting player by using the “Meeting Place” action space; if no one uses it, the token stays put.
In the solo game you start with 0 food.
Source & edition
- Agricola (Revised Edition): English rulebookLookout Games · Page 3, Setup (starting player token); page 6, Work Phase; page 12, Starting Player and Solo Game; copyright on page 1 · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 1, 3, 6, 12
Image: © Lookout Games and any separately credited cover artist · Lookout Games
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
Related games and editions
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Games with a similar starting rule
CaféThe player who most recently had a cup of coffee is the starting master and takes the master token.
The Grimm ForestThe person who most recently ate bacon receives the Starting Player token and takes the first Build turn.
CeylonIn standard play, whoever drank tea most recently starts, or choose randomly. In the optional experienced-player variant, the lowest-numbered starting tile determines who starts.
IncubationThe player who most recently ate an egg starts and takes the First Player token.
Chocolate FactoryWhoever most recently ate chocolate is the starting player.
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