Who goes first?
From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in San Juan?

Rio Grande English original edition

San Juan original Rio Grande Games first edition box

Choose a starting player by any method and give them the governor placard. The governor chooses the first role.

Rule details

The governor performs the chosen role action first, followed clockwise by the other players. The next player clockwise then chooses a role.

At the end of the round, pass the governor placard left. With two players, the governor chooses a second role after the opponent.

Source & edition

All 18 Rio Grande Games starting rules

Image: © alea / Rio Grande Games / box artist · Rio Grande Games (box image via All Systems Go Games)

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

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.

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