From the source rules

Who goes first in Canasta?

Bicycle Cards rules, standard 52-card pack (English)

Players draw cards; the highest card chooses a seat and plays first in the first deal. The player to that player’s right deals the first hand.

Official tie-break or fallback

Players drawing equal cards or jokers draw again.

Source & edition

Canasta — How to PlayBicycle Cards (The United States Playing Card Company) · "The Draw", "The Shuffle and Cut" and "The Play" sections · Checked 2026-10-01

All 16 Bicycle Cards (The United States Playing Card Company) starting rules

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

Rule details

For the draw, suits rank spades (high), hearts, diamonds, clubs.

After the first hand, the turn to play always starts with the player to the dealer’s left.

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/canasta-bicycle-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Canasta?</strong> Players draw cards; the highest card chooses a seat and plays first in the first deal. The player to that player’s right deals the first hand.</p>
  <p>— <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/canasta-bicycle-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Bicycle Cards rules, standard 52-card pack (English))</p>
</blockquote>

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