Who goes first in Agricola?
Z-Man Games English original edition rulebook (2008)
Players choose the starting player, who takes the starting player marker and two food. The other players each receive three food.
Rule details
During the work phase, players place family members one at a time clockwise from the marker holder. The marker does not rotate automatically; the Starting Player action changes it.
Source & edition
- Agricola: Z-Man Games English original edition rulebook (2008)Z-Man Games / Lookout Games · Preparation; Work phase · Checked 2026-09-25
Image: © Lookout Games / Z-Man Games; retail photograph owner · eBay retail listing
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.
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Games with a similar starting rule
Alubari: A Nice Cup of TeaThe player who most recently drank a cup of tea is the starting player and takes the starting player marker.
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.
SaltfjordWhoever most recently ate fish is the starting player.
Space LunchFor two players, the person who last ate at a restaurant goes first.
Chocolate FactoryWhoever most recently ate chocolate is the starting player.
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