From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Death Valley?
Button Shy print-and-play English rules

The player who most recently drank water plays first.
Rule details
This is the two-player game. In the solo variant, the human player takes the first turn against the AI.
Source & edition
- Death Valley: Button Shy print-and-play rulesButton Shy Games · Setup · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: unnumbered rules sheet
Image: © Button Shy Games; Fachri Maulana · Button Shy Games
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
Through the DesertThe person who most recently drank water goes first.
Alubari: A Nice Cup of TeaThe player who most recently drank a cup of tea is the starting player and takes the starting player marker.
RebisWhoever most recently drank something with an especially unusual taste goes first.
Portal: The Uncooperative Cake Acquisition GameThe player who most recently ate cake goes first.
Garden RushThe player who most recently ate a tomato takes the first turn.
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.