Who goes first in Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar?
English CGE base-game rules, October 2012 copyright
The player who most recently sacrificed something receives the starting-player marker.
Official tie-break or fallback
If tied, give the marker to the player who volunteers for the next sacrifice.
Rule details
The marker holder takes the first turn; play proceeds clockwise.
The marker does not rotate automatically between rounds. Placing a worker on the Starting Player Space changes its holder at the end of the round: take it from another player, or pass it left if you already hold it.
The thematic instruction does not define what counts as a sacrifice.
Source & edition
- Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar: Czech Games Edition rulesCzech Games Edition · Setting Up the Game; Course of the Game; Starting Player Space; final credits · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 4, 6, 10, 15
Image: © Czech Games Edition (publisher) · Czech Games Edition
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Last WillWhoever most recently paid for something receives the starting-player marker and begins the planning phase.
OverbookingThe player who most recently stayed in a hotel receives the starting-player marker and starts the first round.
The Quacks of QuedlinburgWhoever most recently cooked something is the first round's starting player.
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial IntelligenceWhoever saw a UFO most recently takes the starting-player marker and starts.
LisboaThe player who most recently visited Lisboa starts and takes the Starting Player marker.
Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.