Who goes first in Star Realms?

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.

If there’s a tie

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

Source & edition

• Star Realms — Two Player Rules (page 1)White Wizard Games (now Wise Wizard Games) · Page 1, Setup (final paragraph) and Play · Checked 2026-09-25Cited PDF pages: 1
• Star Realms — Multiplayer RulesWhite Wizard Games (now Wise Wizard Games) · Multiplayer Rules: Free-For-All, Hunter, Hydra, Emperor and Raid · Checked 2026-09-25Cited PDF pages: 3

More starting rules

Games with a similar starting rule

• Star Wars: RebellionPlayers first choose who controls the Rebels and who controls the Imperials (randomly if they cannot decide). The Rebel player goes first: they assign leaders to missions first and take the first turn of each Command Phase.
• Summoner Wars: Second EditionRandomly choose which player goes first. The starting player begins with 2 magic, and the opponent begins with 3 magic.
• T.I.M.E StoriesChoose a player at random to read the Base’s card A aloud. Each player then reads one of the following cards in turn.
• Tang GardenThe most recent visitor to China goes first. If nobody has visited, choose randomly.
• Tawantinsuyu: The Inca EmpireWhoever harvested a vegetable most recently starts. Alternatively, use any random selection method the group chooses.