Who goes first?
From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Codenames?

Czech Games Edition English base game · 2025 revision

Official product image showing the Codenames game box

The key card determines the starting team: its edge indicators show that team’s color. That team’s spymaster gives the first clue.

Official tie-break or fallback

Not applicable: the key card identifies the starting team.

Rule details

Spymasters draw a random key card during setup. The starting team has one additional word to find.

The first move belongs to a team; do not replace the key card’s assignment with a random individual player.

This is the base game, not Codenames: Duet or Pictures.

Source & edition

All 14 Czech Games Edition starting rules

Image: © Czech Games Edition and its credited cover illustrators · Czech Games Edition

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

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