From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Apples to Apples?

Mattel English edition

Choose a player to be the first judge. That player deals the cards, then reveals a Green Apple card and reads one of its words aloud.

If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.

Rule details

After each round, the judge role passes to the player on the left.

Source & edition

Apples to Apples — English rulebookMattel · Setting up steps 4–5; Playing the game steps 1 and 7 · Checked 2026-09-26
PDF page 3 PDF page 4

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/apples-apples-mattel-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Apples to Apples?</strong> Choose a player to be the first judge. That player deals the cards, then reveals a Green Apple card and reads one of its words aloud.</p>
  <p>— <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/apples-apples-mattel-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Mattel English edition)</p>
</blockquote>

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