From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Vabanque?

Players select a start player; the rules give no method for choosing one.

Rule details

That player places a pawn on any casino table, and the other players place theirs in clockwise order. The start player places the first betting token.

After each round, the richest player becomes the next start player, with play order determined by wealth.

Source & edition

Vabanque: English rulebookWinning Moves · Preparation; Place Tokens; Determine New Order of Play · Checked 2026-09-24
PDF page 2 PDF page 4

Image: © Winning Moves / artist Marcel-André Casasola Merkle · Bruno Faidutti, co-designer

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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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/vabanque-winning-moves-2001-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Vabanque?</strong> Players select a start player; the rules give no method for choosing one.</p>
  <p>Source: <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/vabanque-winning-moves-2001-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Winning Moves English rules, ©2001)</p>
</blockquote>

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