THANKSGIVING · HOLIDAYS · FAMILY VISITS
Holiday family game night: who goes first?
Big family gatherings bring out the classics, and the argument over who starts. Here is the official starting rule for 32 games that show up at holiday tables, each linked to its publisher’s rulebook.
No rule handy, or a mixed group that wants to keep it simple? Open the free first-player picker and let a fair random draw decide.
Classic family board games
The games most likely to come out of the closet when everyone is home.
- MonopolyEach player rolls both dice. The player with the highest total goes first, and play then passes to the left.
- ClueRoll one of the six-sided dice to determine who goes first. After each turn, the player to the left goes next.
- Sorry!Pick a player to go first. Play moves clockwise. In later games, the winner of the previous game goes first.
- TroubleEach player pops the Pop-O-Matic die once. The player who pops the highest number goes first, and play continues to their left.
- The Game of LifeThe youngest player goes first, and play moves to the left.
- ScrabbleEveryone draws one tile. The player with the letter closest to A goes first, and a blank tile beats any letter.
- Trivial PursuitChoose a player to take the first turn. After each turn, the player to the left rolls next.
- Connect 4The youngest player goes first. Players then take turns dropping one disc each.
- YahtzeeTo decide who goes first, each player in turn rolls all 5 dice. The player with the highest total goes first. Play then passes to the left.
For the youngest players
Short, simple games where a young cousin can join in.
- Candy LandThe youngest player goes first.
- Chutes and LaddersThe youngest player goes first, then play passes to the left.
- Spot it!Everyone plays simultaneously; there is no starting player. Begin the chosen mini-game together and race to spot matching symbols.
- Blokus JuniorDecide who will go first. That player places a piece on either of the two starting points.
- Apples to Apples JuniorChoose a player to be the first judge. That player deals 5 Red Apple cards to everyone and turns over the first Green Apple card.
Card games and dominoes
Easy to pack, easy to teach, and fine for a crowded table.
- UNOThe dealer’s left neighbor normally starts. An opening action card can change this.
- UNO Flip!Each player draws a card and reveals the Light Side; the player who draws the highest number is the dealer (any card with a symbol counts as zero). The dealer shuffles and deals each player 7 cards, then the person to the left of the dealer starts play.
- Phase 10Choose one player to be dealer. The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
- Skip-BoThe youngest player goes first.
- Exploding KittensPick someone to go first, then take turns clockwise.
- Sushi Go!Everyone chooses a card secretly at the same time. Once everyone has chosen, reveal the cards together; no single player starts.
- Mexican TrainThe rules do not say who plays first. The first player opens the station by placing their highest double in the hub; if they have no double, the next player opens it. Play always moves to the left.
- RummikubEach player draws one tile from the mixed, face-down tiles. Whoever draws the highest number goes first. Return those tiles and mix them again before dealing the racks.
Party games for a big group
For when the whole family wants in at once.
- CodenamesThe key card determines the starting team: its edge indicators show that team’s color. That team’s spymaster gives the first clue.
- PictionaryEach team selects a Picturist, then the die is rolled to determine the order of play: the highest-rolling team starts. The Start space is always the yellow category, so the die is not rolled to choose the first word, only to decide which team begins.
- Apples to ApplesChoose a player to be the first judge. That player deals the cards, then reveals a Green Apple card and reads one of its words aloud.
- TabooThe rules leave it open which team goes first: players divide into Team A and Team B, and Team A chooses a player to be their first Clue-giver. The document never states how a group decides which team is "Team A."
- DixitWhoever comes up with a clue for a card first becomes the opening storyteller.
- JengaThe player who built the tower goes first. Play passes to the left.
Modern favorites (and popular gifts)
Newer games that often show up unwrapped on the table.
- CATANFor the beginner setup, the oldest player starts. For variable setup, everyone rolls both dice; the highest roller starts setup and takes the first regular turn after setup.
- Ticket to RideThe most experienced traveler takes the first turn.
- AzulThe player whose visit to Portugal was most recent starts.
- BlokusChoose a player to go first. Turns then pass clockwise.
Tools for a crowded table
- Random team generator: split cousins, siblings and in-laws into fair teams.
- Score keeper: track points without hunting for a pencil.
- Turn timer: keep long turns moving when the pie is waiting.
- Dice roller: for the game with a missing die.
- Printable table cards and a game-night checklist for hosts.
Looking for a different game? Search all starting rules.
