From the source rules
Who goes first in Cat Café?
English Alley Cat Games press-pack rules, two folded sheets
Whoever most recently petted a cat starts the first round.
Rule details
The starting player rolls the dice and chooses the first die. The other players choose clockwise before everyone marks items or passes.
If the game continues, the player to the left of the current starter begins the next round.
Source & edition
- Cat Café: Alley Cat Games rulesAlley Cat Games · Setup step 3; Dice Draft; Check for Completed Columns; credits. PDF pages are folded sheets · Checked 2026-09-23Cited PDF pages: 1, 2
Image: © Alley Cat Games; Mandoo Games · Alley Cat Games
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
CalicoWhoever most recently petted a cat starts.
Für die KatzThe person who most recently petted a cat is the first cat seeker.
boop.The player who most recently petted a cat starts, or choose the first player randomly.
Baba YagaStart with whoever most recently saw a black cat.
Cat in the BoxWhoever most recently encountered a black cat goes first.
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.