From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Betrayal at House on the Hill?
Avalon Hill (Hasbro) English rules, second edition

The explorer with the next birthday goes first. Use the birthday printed on each explorer’s character card, not the players’ own birthdays.
Rule details
Players take turns clockwise (to the left) following the first explorer.
Source & edition
- Betrayal at House on the Hill Second Edition: Rules & InstructionsAvalon Hill / Hasbro · Setup, final bullet “See who goes first”, and How to Play (PDF page 3, printed spread 4–5); copyright on PDF page 1 · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 4–5
Image: © Avalon Hill / Hasbro and any credited cover artist · Avalon Hill / Hasbro
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.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
The Stars are RightWhoever has the next upcoming birthday goes first.
EquinoxThe player whose birthday is closest to the next equinox goes first.- Check OutChoose a player to start, such as the youngest player or the player whose birthday is coming up next.
- Hocus FocusSelect one player to go first, such as the person whose birthday is coming up next.
Auch schon cleverWhoever most recently had a birthday starts.
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.