From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Lords of Waterdeep?
Wizards of the Coast English base game, 2012

The player who most recently visited another city goes first and receives the First Player marker.
Rule details
The first player starts with 4 Gold. Going left around the table, each following player receives one more Gold than the previous player.
Turns begin with the First Player marker holder and proceed to the left.
Source & edition
- Lords of Waterdeep: Wizards of the Coast rulesWizards of the Coast · Start Play and Actions in a Turn; PDF pages 4, 5 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 7, 8
Image: © Wizards of the Coast and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated in the rulebook) · Wizards of the Coast
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
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