From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in First Rat?
Pegasus Spiele English rules, second printing

Whoever most recently ate cheese goes first.
Rule details
The starter takes the Start Rat marker and one cheese; later players receive their starting cheese according to clockwise order.
In solo play, you start before Greg the Robo-Rat.
Source & edition
- First Rat: Pegasus Spiele rulesPegasus Spiele · Setup, step 12; Solo Play: Setup, final bullet; PDF pages 3, 11 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 3, 11
Image: © Pegasus Spiele and its credited artists (precise cover-art ownership unverified) · Pegasus Spiele
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Azul: Master ChocolatierWhoever most recently ate chocolate goes first.
HoneyThe player who most recently ate honey starts the game.
Garden RushThe player who most recently ate a tomato takes the first turn.
First OrchardWhoever ate an apple most recently takes the first turn.
Guju GujuWhoever most recently ate a banana 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.