From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Watson & Holmes?
English publisher-hosted US rulebook, nine PDF spreads

The player with the best acting and reading voice reads the case introduction and takes the start-player token. If the group uses the recorded introduction instead, choose the starter randomly.
Rule details
The token holder chooses a location first in the Visiting Phase, followed clockwise by the others. This initial choice differs from later rounds, when the last player to obtain a location takes the token.
Source & edition
- Watson & Holmes: Ludonova rulesLudonova · Setup and Visiting Phase on printed page 9; Start Player Token on page 8 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 8, 9
Image: © Ludonova · Ludonova
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
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