Who goes first in Star Realms?
White Wizard Games English rules sheet, 2013
Randomly determine who plays first. The first player starts with a 3-card hand; the second player draws 5.
Rule details
In the two-player game, players alternate turns.
Free-For-All and Hunter (3+ players): randomly choose the first player, who draws 3 cards; play goes clockwise, the second player draws 4, and everyone else draws 5.
Hydra team games: randomly choose which team goes first; that team’s players draw 3 cards and the other team’s draw 5.
Raid: play starts with the Boss and proceeds clockwise.
Source & edition
- Star Realms: Two Player Rules (page 1)White Wizard Games (now Wise Wizard Games) · Page 1, Setup (final paragraph) and Play · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 1Cited PDF pages: 1
- Star Realms: Multiplayer RulesWhite Wizard Games (now Wise Wizard Games) · Multiplayer Rules: Free-For-All, Hunter, Hydra, Emperor and Raid · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 3Cited PDF pages: 3
Image: © Wise Wizard Games · Wise Wizard Games (formerly White Wizard 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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