From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Lost Cities?
Thames & Kosmos English rules, 2018 edition with 6th expedition
The oldest player begins. After that, the players alternate turns.
Rule details
A match is three games. In each later game, the player who has the most points goes first.
The long-game variant with six expeditions does not change who starts.
Source & edition
- Lost Cities: The Duel of the Explorers: rulesThames & Kosmos / Kosmos · Page 2, Sequence of Play; page 3, end of a game and Long Game variant; credits on page 4 · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 2, 3, 4
Image: © Thames & Kosmos/Kosmos and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated on source page) · Thames & Kosmos
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
Related games and editions
Lost Cities: RivalsEnglish Thames & Kosmos rules
Lost Cities: Roll & WriteThames & Kosmos English rules
Games with a similar starting rule
TsuroThe oldest player takes the first turn.- Clue SuspectThe oldest player goes first.
TajutoThe oldest player goes first.- MemoryThe players decide who begins: it could be the youngest, the smallest, the oldest. Play moves clockwise.
Kingdom BuilderThe oldest player takes the start-player tile and 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.