From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Niagara?

Zoch English rules

The person most afraid of water starts.

Rule details

Everyone first chooses a paddle card simultaneously. The starting player reveals theirs first, followed by the others clockwise.

The lifesaver marks the starter and passes to the left at the end of each round.

Our interpretation

The English manual describes the starter as the most hydrophobic player; the short answer restates that in everyday language.

Source & edition

Niagara: Zoch rulesZoch · Components and Set Up, lifesaver; Play paddle cards; End of Round; PDF pages 9, 10, 11 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 9, 10, 11
PDF page 9 PDF page 10 PDF page 11

All 6 Zoch starting rules

Image: © Zoch Verlag / Simba Toys GmbH & Co. KG · Zoch Verlag

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say.

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/niagara-zoch-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Niagara?</strong> The person most afraid of water starts.</p>
  <p>Source: <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/niagara-zoch-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Zoch English rules)</p>
</blockquote>

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