Who goes first in The Isle of Cats?
The City of Games English base game
Randomly choose the starting player. Beginning with that player, go around the table choosing cat figures and placing them on the island in turn order.
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
Rule details
The initial starting player draws the first day’s cat tiles. Before rescuing cats, players reveal their Rescue cards and reorder their cat figures by speed; the fastest rescues first.
Tied speeds keep the tied players’ relative order.
In the family game, choose the initial starting player randomly too. That player draws the tiles and chooses first; move their cat figure to the end of the order after each day.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
Source & edition
- The Isle of Cats — English rulebookThe City of Games · Player setup B; Fill the fields; Rescue cats — Speed · Checked 2026-09-26
- The Isle of Cats — English family rulesThe City of Games · Player setup B; Gameplay steps 1–4 · Checked 2026-09-26
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
- Tiny Epic WesternWhoever most recently saw a horse starts as Dealer and places the first Posse Token. Random selection is also an official option.
- Wild SpaceWhoever most recently saw an animal starts.
- Wondrous CreaturesThe player who has befriended the most unusual animal starts.
- Zoo VadisThe person who most recently visited a zoo starts, or choose a player at random.
- ALIEN: Fate of the NostromoWhoever was most recently hissed at by a cat starts. Continue clockwise after each player's turn.
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.