Who goes first in Skull?

Rule details

Before turns begin, everyone places a disc facedown. The first player waits until the others have placed theirs before choosing their own. Turns then proceed clockwise.

In later rounds, the previous Challenger starts unless eliminated. If eliminated by another player’s skull, its owner starts; after self-elimination, the Challenger chooses the next starter.

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say.

Source & edition

• Skull — English rulebookSpace Cowboys · Setup; Game round; New round · Checked 2026-09-26

More starting rules

Games with a similar starting rule

• Spirits of the ForestWhoever most recently hiked in a forest goes first.
• Splish Splash!The person who most recently went swimming starts.
• Spring MeadowThe person who was most recently on a mountain starts.
• Star Trek Chrono-TrekA player whose character has more difficulty pips than every other character goes first. Otherwise, whoever most recently watched a Star Trek episode begins.
• SwitchbacksWhoever went hiking most recently goes first.