From the source rules

Who goes first in Lost Cities: Roll & Write?

Thames & Kosmos English rules

The group's greatest adventurer takes the first turn.

Official tie-break or fallback

If you are unsure who that is, the player who most recently went hiking starts.

Rule details

The active player rolls the dice and selects a color-and-number pair first. The other players then choose from the remaining dice.

Source & edition

Lost Cities: Roll & Write: Thames & Kosmos rulesThames & Kosmos · How to Play, choosing the first active player; PDF pages 3 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 3Cited PDF pages: 3

All 20 Thames & Kosmos starting rules

Image: © Thames & Kosmos / Kosmos and original cover artists (precise ownership not stated on product pages) · Brain Games retailer, with Thames & Kosmos publisher brochure cross-check

If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/lost-cities-roll-and-write/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Lost Cities: Roll &amp; Write?</strong> The group's greatest adventurer takes the first turn.</p>
  <p>Source: <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/lost-cities-roll-and-write/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Thames &amp; Kosmos English rules)</p>
</blockquote>

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