From publishers’ rulebooks
410 fun ways to decide who goes first
Borrow a starting rule from another game. Every idea below comes from a published board game rulebook and works without that game’s pieces.
Prefer a fair draw? Pick a starting player at random. Or look up the rule for your own game.
Try a random rule
Get a starting rule from one of 410 games, like Azul: Master Chocolatier’s “whoever most recently ate chocolate goes first.”
These criteria give people different chances. If there’s a tie or nobody qualifies, pick another rule or use the player picker.
Explore the collection
Browse by theme
Open a theme to see its starting rules and the game behind each one.
Food and drink
For example: Whoever last ate some fruit starts.45 ideas
- Abandon All ArtichokesThe person who most recently ate a green vegetable that was cooked starts.
- Azul: Master ChocolatierWhoever most recently ate chocolate goes first.
- Bee AlertThe player who most recently ate honey goes first.
- BeezWhoever most recently ate a honey sandwich goes first.
- Berried TreasureIf a player is named Suzanne Sheldon, that player goes first. Otherwise, whoever most recently ate pie starts.
- CaféThe player who most recently had a cup of coffee is the starting master and takes the master token.
- CahootsStart with whoever most recently ate an orange-colored food.
- Chocolate FactoryWhoever most recently ate chocolate is the starting player.
- Dragon FarkleThe player who brought the most snacks starts the game.
- Flock TogetherThe person who most recently ate chicken goes last. The player to that person’s left goes first.
- FoodiesWhoever most recently ate at an international restaurant takes the First Player token and starts.
- Fresh FruitsThe last person to eat a melon starts the first round.
- Garden RushThe player who most recently ate a tomato takes the first turn.
- Go Nuts!The person who most recently ate a nut starts.
- Guju GujuWhoever most recently ate a banana starts.
- HatsThe player who most recently ate a cookie starts the game.
- HerbaceousThe person who most recently cooked with or planted herbs starts.
- HoneyThe player who most recently ate honey starts the game.
- HorrifiedWhoever most recently ate garlic starts. Continue clockwise after each player's turn.
- IncubationThe player who most recently ate an egg starts and takes the First Player token.
- Juicy FruitsThe player who most recently ate a fruit starts and remains the starting player for the game. Tomato counts as a fruit.
- KawaiiWhoever most recently ate ice cream starts the first round. Card-flipping turns proceed clockwise.
- Merchants of MuzirisThe player who last ate a mango is the first player for the opening round.
- Monster CafeThe most recent person to eat something disgusting starts round one.
- Monster Crunch! The Breakfast Battle GameThe person who most recently ate a real bowl of cereal starts the first round.
- Order's Up!Whoever most recently ate pie starts.
- Outfoxed!The person who most recently ate pie starts.
- PagodaWhoever last ate with chopsticks starts.
- PiesThe player who most recently ate a piece of pie leads the first trick.
- Portal: The Uncooperative Cake Acquisition GameThe player who most recently ate cake goes first.
- Potion ExplosionWhoever most recently prepared a drink goes first. Turns proceed clockwise.
- RebisWhoever most recently drank something with an especially unusual taste goes first.
- Sea of CloudsThe last player to drink rum starts.
- SeptimaIn multiplayer, whoever most recently made a mixed drink is the starting player.
- Space LunchFor two players, the person who last ate at a restaurant goes first.
- Tawantinsuyu: The Inca EmpireWhoever harvested a vegetable most recently starts. Alternatively, use any random selection method the group chooses.
- The Grimm ForestThe person who most recently ate bacon receives the Starting Player token and takes the first Build turn.
- Through the DesertThe person who most recently drank water goes first.
- Tiki ToppleThe person who most recently ate something coconut-flavored starts.
- Toss Your CookiesThe person who most recently ate a home-baked cookie starts.
- TrioWhoever most recently ate avocado goes first. Continue clockwise.
- TucanoWhoever last ate some fruit starts.
- Veggie GardenThe person who last ate fresh vegetables starts.
- Wonderland's WarThe person who most recently had tea begins the first round.
- Zombie 15'The player who most recently ate raw meat starts.
Animals
For example: The first player to name a bug goes first.22 ideas
- ALIEN: Fate of the NostromoWhoever was most recently hissed at by a cat starts. Continue clockwise after each player's turn.
- ARGHThe strongest advocate for animal rights, or the player who most recently fed an animal, starts.
- Baba YagaStart with whoever most recently saw a black cat.
- BettaThe player who most recently visited a pet shop starts.
- boop.The player who most recently petted a cat starts, or choose the first player randomly.
- Bug CraftsThe first player to name a bug goes first.
- Cat CaféWhoever most recently petted a cat starts the first round.
- Cha-Cha Chihuahua: The Game of Dancing DoggiesThe player who most recently pet a dog goes first.
- ChabyrintheWhoever most recently spotted a black cat starts. Turns proceed clockwise.
- DeducktoStart with the person who most recently fed a duck.
- Dinosaur ChallengeThe first player to name a time period from the dinosaur age starts the game.
- Duck Duck BruceWhoever most recently fed a live duck starts.
- HabitatsWhoever fed an animal most recently starts and takes the Turn Tracker and Turn Marker.
- Hang FourWhoever most recently smelled a wet dog starts.
- Jurassic PartsThe person who most recently saw a dinosaur fossil starts and takes the Starting Player Marker.
- Just WildThe last player to spot a wild animal starts the game.
- My Farm ShopThe player who most recently visited a farm starts and takes the three dice.
- My Happy FarmThe person who most recently fed their pet starts.
- NatureIn standard multiplayer play, whoever can make the most amazing animal noise goes first.
- Tiny Epic WesternWhoever most recently saw a horse starts as Dealer and places the first Posse Token. Random selection is also an official option.
- Wild SpaceWhoever most recently saw an animal starts.
- Zoo VadisThe person who most recently visited a zoo starts, or choose a player at random.
Travel and places
For example: The person who last visited Ireland starts.58 ideas
- Adventure Games: The Volcanic IslandWhoever most recently saw an island goes first.
- Amalfi: RenaissanceWhoever most recently visited the ocean receives the wind-rose marker and starts the game.
- Ancient FindsThe first player to name a country that borders the Mediterranean Sea goes first.
- Anno 1800: The Board GameWhoever was abroad most recently takes the starting-player token and starts the game.
- Around the World in 80 DaysThe player who most recently visited London starts; alternatively, choose one player randomly using everyone’s Hat pawn.
- Art RobberyWhoever visited a museum most recently starts the first raid.
- BoonlakeIn multiplayer, whoever most recently traveled to a place with fewer than 100 inhabitants goes first.
- ChinatownThe player who most recently visited a Chinatown takes the First Player card.
- Clever KeysThe last player to have visited a real castle starts.
- Container: 10th Anniversary Jumbo Edition!The player who last captained a container ship starts. Alternatively, choose a random starting player by any method everyone agrees on.
- Dice HospitalWhoever most recently visited a hospital starts. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
- Dinosaur IslandWhoever most recently extracted DNA from an amber-trapped mosquito goes first. If nobody has done that, whoever most recently visited a theme park starts.
- DragonrealmThe player who has traveled farthest from home starts.
- Dust in the WingsThe player who most recently visited a butterfly conservatory starts; alternatively, choose a starting player using a method of your own.
- El GrandeThe player who visited Spain most recently takes the First Player marker and plays the first Power card.
- FavelasWhoever most recently visited Rio de Janeiro goes first.
- Forbidden CityThe player who has, at some point, traveled closest to the Forbidden City in China starts.
- Forbidden IslandStart with whoever most recently visited an island.
- Forbidden SkyThe person who most recently traveled by air starts.
- Forest Shuffle: DartmoorThe player who last visited a moor starts the game.
- Fresh FishThe player who most recently visited a weekly market starts.
- Galactic CruiseThe player who most recently went on a cruise or vacation goes first and takes the First Player token.
- GenoaThe player who most recently visited a market starts.
- Gloomy GravesThe player who most recently visited a graveyard starts and takes the Start Player card.
- HamburgumThe person who most recently visited a church starts.
- HarbourThe player who was most recently on a boat starts.
- HeliosThe player who has traveled to the most continents is the first player.
- Humboldt's Great VoyageWhoever most recently went on a journey starts and takes the travel journal and knowledge-disk bag.
- Ice TumbleWhoever has traveled farthest north goes first.
- IwariWhoever traveled most recently takes the first turn.
- LisboaThe player who most recently visited Lisboa starts and takes the Starting Player marker.
- Loose CabooseThe person who most recently traveled by train starts.
- Lost Ruins of ArnakWhoever most recently traveled somewhere they had never visited before takes the starting-player marker and starts.
- MaracaiboThe player who was most recently aboard a ship starts.
- Mercado de LisboaWhoever last visited a market takes the first turn.
- MonasteriumThe player who most recently visited a monastery starts; if no one has or no one remembers, the youngest player starts.
- MoroccoThe player who most recently traveled to Morocco starts and takes the start-player marker.
- Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles – Episode 1For a standalone multiplayer game of Episode 1, whoever was most recently on a boat goes first.
- Rat-a-Tat RollThe person who most recently visited a famous monument starts.
- RebirthMighty Boards English rules, Ireland mapThe person who last visited Ireland starts.
- RebirthMighty Boards English rules, Scotland mapThe person who last visited Scotland starts.
- Rumble NationThe person who most recently visited a castle starts, or choose a player at random.
- Schotten TottenWhoever most recently traveled to Scotland, or somewhere near it, goes first.
- Skulls of SedlecThe player who most recently visited a cemetery or graveyard goes first.
- Space ExplorersThe person who most recently visited outer space starts. If nobody has, the person who most recently watched or read something about space starts.
- SteamRollersThe last player to have missed a train becomes the Start Player.
- Super ToothWhoever most recently visited a museum starts.
- Tang GardenThe most recent visitor to China goes first. If nobody has visited, choose randomly.
- The Great Fire of London 1666The player who most recently visited London starts. Alternatively, choose a player randomly.
- The Palaces of CarraraThe last player to have visited Italy or seen a picture of Italy starts.
- Time Bomb EvolutionWhoever most recently visited London is the starting player.
- Tiny Epic DinosaursThe person who most recently visited a natural history museum starts. The rules also allow your group to choose another method.
- Tiny Epic VikingsThe player who most recently set foot on an island takes the first action turn.
- TobagoThe person who most recently visited an island starts.
- Trekking the National Parks: Second EditionWhoever most recently visited a national park goes first.
- ViennaThe last person to have visited Vienna takes the start card (clock) and begins the game.
- VolcanoWhoever has traveled closest to molten lava goes first. The rules also suggest choosing randomly as an alternative.
- YokohamaThe player who most recently visited Yokohama starts; if that does not determine a player, choose one by any preferred method.
The outdoors
For example: The player who last watered a plant starts.32 ideas
- ArboretumThe player who last watered a plant starts.
- AsaraThe person who most recently climbed a tower starts.
- AstraWhoever most recently saw a shooting star goes first.
- BloomWhoever received a flower most recently starts the first round.
- BlossomsThe player who has watered flowers most recently starts.
- DragonwoodWhoever most recently went hiking in the woods starts.
- FoothillsChoose a starting player; the rules suggest the person who most recently dug soil in their garden.
- Forbidden JungleStart with whoever most recently touched a tree.
- GrandBoisThe player who most recently walked through a forest starts.
- Ice and the SkyThe person who most recently put their hands in snow takes the First Player card and plays first in the First Generation.
- Indian SummerThe last person to have taken a stroll in the forest is the start player.
- Into the BlueThe player who swam most recently starts the game.
- LeafThe player who most recently touched a tree goes first.
- Loco MomoThe player who most recently walked in a forest starts; the group may instead choose the starter at random.
- Paint the RosesWhoever most recently watered a plant goes first.
- PARKSWhoever most recently went on a hike takes the first turn.
- PergolaThe person who last worked in a garden starts. If nobody has, the most colorfully dressed person starts.
- PetrichorThe person most recently caught in the rain starts, or select a first player by any other method.
- PollenThe person who most recently watered a plant takes the first turn.
- Pool SharksThe person who most recently went swimming starts.
- River Valley GlassworksWhoever saw a river most recently takes the first-player marker and starts.
- Save the Treasure of Fairy TalesThe player who was most recently in a garden starts.
- SkullThe player who most recently gave someone flowers (or a skull) is the first player.
- Spirits of the ForestWhoever most recently hiked in a forest goes first.
- Splish Splash!The person who most recently went swimming starts.
- Spring MeadowThe person who was most recently on a mountain starts.
- SwitchbacksWhoever went hiking most recently goes first.
- Terra MysticaWhoever most recently dug a planting bed in their own garden goes first.
- TinderbloxWhoever most recently went camping takes the first turn.
- TrellisThe last person to water a plant, or the winner of the previous game, starts.
- Tussie MussieThe player who most recently smelled a flower starts.
- Village GreenIn multiplayer, whoever watered a plant most recently goes first.
Birthdays
For example: Whoever most recently had a birthday starts.2 ideas
The youngest player
For example: The youngest player starts.26 ideas
- 7 Wonders: ArchitectsThe youngest player starts, and play proceeds clockwise.
- Animal SnacksThe youngest player rolls first.
- Camel UpThe youngest player takes the Leg Starting Player marker and begins the first leg.
- Camel Up (Second Edition)The youngest player takes the starting-player marker and goes first.
- Can't StopThe youngest player starts, and play proceeds clockwise.
- CarcassonneThe youngest player takes the first turn. Play then continues clockwise.
- ChrominoThe youngest player begins, or the group may choose the first player randomly.
- Dice ForgeThe youngest player takes the First Player token and is the first active player.
- Flash Point: Fire RescueThe players decide together who goes first. If they cannot decide, the youngest player starts.
- Hey, That's My Fish!The youngest player goes first, and turns proceed clockwise.
- Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to KingThe youngest player takes the starting-player marker and goes first.
- Lama DiceThe youngest player starts the first round.
- MausefalleThe youngest player starts.
- Modern ArtThe youngest player holds the first auction, choosing a painting from their hand to offer for sale.
- OrléansThe youngest player receives the Start Player Token and starts.
- PhotosynthesisThe youngest player takes the first-player token and starts.
- Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed IslandThe youngest player becomes the First Player and takes the First Player token.
- SaboteurThe youngest player goes first. Play continues clockwise.
- Samurai (Reiner Knizia)The youngest player takes the first turn. Play then proceeds clockwise.
- SantoriniThe youngest player is the Start Player. They place their two Workers first, and play begins with the Start Player.
- SeasonsThe youngest player starts the first Tournament round by rolling the Season dice and choosing a die first.
- SpicyThe youngest player takes the first turn. Play proceeds clockwise until a card is challenged.
- SplendorGive the First Player marker to the youngest player. They take the first turn, and play continues clockwise.
- Stone AgeThe youngest player takes the First player token and starts.
- Tiny Epic GalaxiesThe youngest player goes first. The rules also allow the group to choose its own method.
- TrifusionThe youngest player starts by placing any of their game tiles in the center of the table.
The oldest player
For example: The oldest player takes the first turn.9 ideas
- CitadelsFantasy Flight English original editionThe oldest player receives the crown and is first to choose a character card.
- CitadelsZ-Man Games English rulebook, 2016 editionThe oldest player takes the crown. The crowned player is first to choose a character card.
- Kingdom BuilderThe oldest player takes the start-player tile and takes the first turn.
- Lost CitiesThe oldest player begins. After that, the players alternate turns.
- Pirates vs DinosaursThe rules suggest that the player who looks most like a pirate starts. If players cannot agree who makes the most convincing pirate, the oldest player starts.
- Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark SideUse the game's playful criterion, whoever last used the Force, or let the oldest player start.
- TikalIn the standard game, the oldest player goes first. Play then continues clockwise.
- TsuroThe oldest player takes the first turn.
- VillageThe oldest player takes the starting-player marker and starts.
Whoever did something most recently
For example: The last player to take a bath starts.117 ideas
- 10 Tricks LaterThe player who most recently watched a horror movie leads the first trick of the first round.
- 1923 Cotton ClubThe player who listened to jazz music most recently starts.
- Acorn PawsThe player who most recently saw a squirrel goes first.
- Adventure Games: Monochrome Inc.Whoever most recently watched or read a thriller goes first.
- Adventure Games: The DungeonWhoever most recently read a fantasy novel or watched a fantasy movie or show goes first.
- Adventure Games: The Gloom City FileWhoever most recently read or watched a thriller goes first.
- Adventure Games: The Grand Hotel AbaddonWhoever most recently read a ghost story goes first.
- AnachronyWith standard setup, whoever most recently experienced déjà vu goes first.
- AntinomyThe player who most recently experienced déjà vu starts; the other player deals.
- Archaeology: The New ExpeditionThe first player is the person who last put their feet in the sand.
- AzulThe player whose visit to Portugal was most recent starts.
- Azul: Stained Glass of SintraWhoever most recently cleaned a window goes first.
- Beyond the SunThe person who most recently went to space starts.
- Bob Ross: Art of Chill GameThe person who most recently painted a picture starts.
- BombayThe player who most recently saw an elephant starts.
- Bot FactoryThe person who last bought a robot starts the first worker-placement phase. You may instead choose that player randomly.
- Brew CraftersThe person who most recently finished a beer starts and takes the Starting Player token. Root beer counts.
- Burgle Bros 2: The Casino CapersWhoever most recently gambled starts. The rules also allow choosing the first player randomly.
- Burgle Bros.Whoever most recently took money out of a bank takes the first turn.
- CanvasWhoever painted most recently goes first.
- CascadiaThe person who most recently saw a bear, elk, salmon, hawk, or fox starts. The rulebook also allows choosing the starting player randomly.
- Champions of MidgardThe player who most recently earned glory in battle starts. Choosing a player randomly is also an official option.
- Chaudron PartyThe most recent player to simmer a dish in a cauldron, stewpot or casserole starts; otherwise, the best toad imitator starts.
- CircusThe player who last attended a circus starts and takes the starting-player card.
- Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board GameWhoever looked through a microscope most recently goes first.
- Dawn of PeacemakersWhoever most recently avoided a conflict starts. The campaign rules also allow choosing the starter randomly.
- Disney Hocus Pocus: The GameWhoever last lit a candle starts. Play proceeds clockwise.
- Dragon CastleWhoever most recently saw a dragon starts. Dragons shown in this game do not count. Play proceeds clockwise.
- Dreaming DragonWhoever most recently saw a lizard goes first.
- Finding NessieThe last player to take a bath starts.
- Fire & Axe: A Viking SagaChoose a starting player by any method. The rules suggest the fiercest Viking roar, the hairiest beard, the most recent visit to Scandinavia, or drawing one shuffled crew member per player at random.
- FirenzeThe person who most recently went up a tower starts and receives two white bricks.
- Flashlights & FirefliesThe person who most recently played tag starts the first round.
- ForgenesisWhoever most recently crafted an item takes the first turn.
- GadiantonThe player who most recently put a crown or hat on their head starts.
- Glow SpottersWhoever most recently used a flashlight starts the first round.
- GolemsIn the two-player game, whoever most recently built a snowman starts.
- Half-Pint HeroesThe player who most recently had a black eye is the start player.
- HardbackWhoever last used a pen takes the first turn.
- HarmoniesWhoever most recently saw a magnificent landscape goes first.
- HavalandiThe player who last launched something starts the game.
- HookyThe person most recently in a classroom starts. The rules also allow choosing a starter randomly.
- INKThe player who most recently wrote or painted using ink starts and takes the first-player quill token.
- Ka-Ching!Whoever was paid most recently starts.
- Kenny G: Keepin' It Saxy GameThe person who most recently played a musical instrument starts with the saxophone First Player Marker.
- KinokoWhoever most recently picked a mushroom starts. Turns proceed clockwise.
- LabyrinthWhoever most recently went on a treasure hunt starts. Turns then proceed clockwise.
- Life of the AmazoniaThe player who most recently watched a nature documentary starts.
- Long CowStart with whoever most recently saw a real cow.
- Long Shot: The Dice GameThe player who most recently made a bet starts as the Active Player and takes both dice.
- Loot N RunThe player who most recently saw a B-movie mummy starts.
- Love LetterEnglish 21-card bag edition · copyright 2025 (2–6 players)For the opening round, the person who most recently wrote a letter by hand starts. Turns proceed clockwise.
- Love LetterAEG English original editionThe player who most recently went on a date starts.
- Mapmaker: The Gerrymandering GameThe person who voted most recently takes the first turn.
- MaracasThe player who most recently danced salsa, or any other Latin dance, starts as the Maraca Player.
- Marco Polo II: In the Service of the KhanThe person who most recently returned from a journey starts and takes the first-player marker.
- Mary MagicaThe player who most recently looked for something starts.
- Math RoomThe last player to ring a doorbell goes first.
- MeadowFor multiplayer games, the person most recently stung by a bee starts.
- Meeple CircusThe player who most recently saw a circus act starts the first act.
- MegalandThe person who most recently played a video game receives the first-player token and starts.
- Memoarrr!The player who most recently had a volcanic or emotional outburst starts the first round.
- Millennium BladesTournament turns start with the player who placed highest in the previous tournament. In the first game round or a tie, the player who most recently opened a real booster pack starts.
- Millions of DollarsThe player who most recently watched a heist movie receives the Leader card to begin the first round.
- MyceliaThe person who most recently saw a mushroom in the wild starts. Alternatively, draw one spore from each player from a hat and use the first one drawn.
- Ninja DiceThe player who most recently watched a ninja movie starts as the active Ninja.
- NomadsWhoever most recently told a story starts. Choosing a player at random is also an official option.
- OffshoreThe player who most recently filled a vehicle with diesel or gasoline starts and takes the active-player marker.
- Panda PandaThe player who saw a panda most recently starts. Seeing one in a picture or video counts.
- PaperbackThe person who most recently finished reading a novel starts.
- PatchworkThe player who last used a needle starts.
- Periodic: A Game of The ElementsWhoever touched calcium carbonate most recently starts.
- Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles – Episode 2For a standalone multiplayer game of Episode 2, whoever most recently went on a nature adventure goes first.
- PiepmatzThe last player to see a songbird starts.
- Plague Inc.: The Board GameThe person who washed their hands most recently starts.
- Praga Caput RegniThe person who was most recently in Prague starts, or choose a player at random.
- PyramidoWhoever last made a sand castle starts.
- Pyramido: Forgotten TreasuresWhoever went exploring most recently starts.
- PyramidsThe last player to have seen a pyramid starts.
- Ranglin' RabbitsWhoever most recently held a rabbit starts.
- Reef GardensThe player who most recently went diving at a coral reef begins; otherwise choose someone at random.
- RenatureWhoever most recently took a walk in nature starts. Turns proceed clockwise.
- ReykholtThe player who most recently purchased tomatoes starts.
- Rise to NobilityThe player who last moved to a new apartment or house starts.
- Rock Hard: 1977The person who most recently sang in the shower starts, or choose a first player by any other method.
- Rococo: Deluxe EditionIn multiplayer, whoever last used a needle and thread takes the first action turn.
- Room 25The player who most recently watched a reality TV show starts.
- Schrödinger's CatsThe player who most recently watched a documentary goes first.
- SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial IntelligenceWhoever saw a UFO most recently takes the starting-player marker and starts.
- Skunk BingoWhoever most recently took a bath starts.
- SmileThe last player to have seen a firefly starts.
- Solar StormThe player most recently burned by the Sun starts, or the group can choose a starting player at random.
- Subatomic: An Atom Building GameThe person who did a science experiment most recently goes first.
- Super MotherloadThe person who most recently dug a hole starts.
- Super PlushiesThe player who most recently helped someone starts.
- Take the CakeWhoever most recently finished a whole cupcake starts.
- Teeter TowerThe person who most recently rode an escalator starts.
- The Ancient WorldWhoever most recently won a game takes the first turn. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
- The BrigadeThe person who most recently set something on fire starts, with play proceeding clockwise.
- The Curse of the Ruby RhinoWhoever most recently saw a live rhinoceros starts.
- The Godfather: Corleone's EmpireThe player who last watched The Godfather starts, or the group can decide randomly.
- The King Is Dead: Second EditionThe most recent visitor to a castle goes first.
- The King's GuildThe player who most recently had an adventure starts.
- The Taverns of TiefenthalThe player who was last in a tavern starts.
- The Voyages of Marco PoloThe player who most recently embarked on a voyage around the world starts.
- This Game Goes to ElevenThe person who most recently listened to a guitar solo starts.
- ThunderbirdsThe player who most recently watched the Thunderbirds TV show starts.
- Tiny Epic KingdomsWhoever most recently swung a sword goes first. Choosing the first player randomly is also an official option.
- Tiny Epic QuestThe player who most recently took part in a scavenger hunt starts. Your group may instead agree who receives the First Player Token.
- TouriaThe player most eager to get married starts; the rules alternatively suggest whoever got married most recently.
- TrambahnThe player who most recently used a tram starts.
- Trekking the WorldWhoever most recently went to an airport goes first.
- TunedWhoever attended a concert most recently starts.
- Tzolk'in: The Mayan CalendarThe player who most recently sacrificed something receives the starting-player marker.
- Villages of ValeriaChoose the starting player however you wish. The main setup suggests the person who most recently built something; the quick reference says to choose at random.
- WakandaThe last player to utter a war cry starts.
- Zombies!!!The player who most recently saw a zombie movie starts.
More ideas
For example: The wisest player starts.99 ideas
- A Battle through HistoryThe player who has accomplished the most heroic feat starts and takes the Headquarters counter.
- Age of CivilizationThe player who is best at world history starts and takes the starter token.
- Age of Dirt: A Game of UncivilizationWhoever has the longest hair takes the first turn.
- AmalgamThe first player to name their tower goes first.
- Art DeckoThe person the group considers the best artist starts. If that cannot be decided, the rules let the players choose another selection method.
- AsanteThe player with the most loose change in their pockets starts.
- AustraliaThe player who thinks they know the most about Australia goes first, or the group may choose a starter by any method.
- Bardwood GroveThe player who can hold a note the longest starts; players may determine the starter randomly instead.
- Beasty BarWhoever has the wildest outfit starts.
- Black OrchestraThe player wearing the most black starts.
- Blood RageThe player whose birthplace is farthest north takes the first Action turn.
- BraggartPlayers discuss who has performed the most impressive feat in their life. That player takes the My Round card and starts the game.
- Buccaneer BonesThe player who gives the best pirate-voice “ARRRR!” starts.
- ButterflyThe person who gives the best impression of a real hedgehog starts.
- Butts on ThingsThe person with the largest facial cheeks starts.
- Cabanga!The first player to spell Cabanga! backwards starts the first round.
- ChakraGive the first-player token to the player who looks the most nervous.
- CitrusThe player who can dance the Flamenco best begins.
- Clank!: A Deck-Building AdventureThe sneakiest player starts. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
- Clever CubedThe unluckiest player takes the six dice and starts.
- Coco CrazyWhoever makes the cheekiest monkey face goes first.
- Consumption: Food and ChoicesThe player whose last meal was the healthiest or least healthy, as determined by all players, starts and takes the first-player marker.
- Cowboy Bebop: Space SerenadeThe jazziest player starts; turns then proceed clockwise.
- Cube QuestThe player whose head is more square-shaped starts the first bout.
- Dawn of UlosIn multiplayer, whoever woke up earliest today goes first.
- Dawn UnderThe player who woke up latest today starts.
- Digger's Garden MatchThe first player to name a shape starts the game.
- DunaïaThe wisest player starts.
- DweebiesThe player with the least hair starts.
- Elephant's TrunkThe person who makes the best elephant sound starts.
- Feed the KittyThe player with the shortest little finger starts.
- FischfutterIn the competitive base game, the bravest player goes first. Play then proceeds clockwise.
- FitzItThe person considered the fittest starts.
- FlipOutThe player wearing the most colorful socks starts.
- For Crown & KingdomThe first player to make a trumpet sound and announce themselves as the starting player starts.
- Forbidden DesertThe person who is thirstiest starts.
- GloomWhoever has had the worst day goes first.
- GnomopolisThe shortest player starts, or the group may choose the starting player at random.
- Goblin VaultsIn multiplayer, whoever looks most like a goblin takes the first human bidding turn.
- Godzilla Total WarAgree who starts the first round; if you cannot agree, the player who best imitates Godzilla’s rays or scream starts.
- HanabiThe player wearing the most colorful clothing takes the first turn.
- HanamikojiThe younger player starts. Players then alternate turns.
- Hello My Name IsThe person with the longest name is the first active player.
- Hide and Eeek!Whoever makes the best elephant noise starts.
- High SocietyThe most smartly dressed player starts the first auction. The rules also allow choosing the first player at random.
- HimalayaThe wisest player begins as the first caravaneer.
- ImagineThe person considered most creative starts.
- Inuit: The Snow FolkThe player who enjoys cold weather most receives the First Player card, or choose the first player by another method.
- IOTAThe smallest person starts.
- Is or Isn'tThe first person to say aloud the opposite of “up” goes first.
- It HappensThe hungriest player starts the game.
- Joe Name ItThe player whose first name is alphabetically closest to Joe starts.
- KarmakaThe player with the worst luck takes the first turn.
- King ToadThe player with the longest tongue starts.
- Kodama: The Tree SpiritsThe player wearing the most green starts and receives the first player marker.
- KompromatThe most suspicious-looking player goes first.
- Le HavreThe player who lives closest to water starts and takes the Starting Player tile.
- Let's Dig for TreasureThe dirtiest player digs first.
- LotusIn multiplayer, whoever has the greenest thumb goes first.
- Medieval AcademyThe player who strikes the most chivalrous pose starts and takes the Excalibur pawn.
- Mermaid BeachThe player with the waviest hair starts.
- Mint WorksThe player with the freshest breath takes the Starting Player token.
- Mmm!The bravest player takes the three dice and begins the cooperative game.
- MoonThe player with the loudest voice takes the first Construction turn.
- MyrmesThe shortest player starts and takes the First Player token.
- Ninja TaisenThe most silent player rolls the dice and starts.
- NoahThe shortest player starts the first round.
- NoriaThe player who needs to let off the most steam starts.
- Nothing PersonalThe player who looks most like a mobster takes the Capo Ring and starts. If the players cannot agree, the first to say an accurate quote from a gangster movie starts.
- OceansWhoever can hold their breath the longest goes first.
- OtysThe player with the greatest lung capacity starts.
- Ponzi SchemeThe player who is best at keeping their word starts.
- PyramixThe player with the most triangular-shaped nose starts.
- Roll for AdventureThe player the group determines to be the most heroic starts.
- ScallywagsWhoever tells the funniest pirate joke starts.
- SeismicThe player seated closest to a solid doorframe goes first.
- Shaolia: Warring StatesThe most regal-looking player becomes the first player.
- SoleniaThe player whose head is most in the clouds starts.
- Step to ItThe person wearing the most colorful socks starts.
- StreetsThe player with the most “hipster cred” goes first.
- Tales & Games: The Hare & the TortoiseThe first player to say what time it is goes first.
- TerzettoWhoever first names a well-known trio starts.
- The Big Fat Tomato GameWhoever makes their face look most like a tomato starts.
- The Bloody InnThe greediest player starts: the booklet defines this as the person with the most coins in their pockets.
- The Climbing KnightsThe first player to imitate a trumpet starting the tournament begins the game.
- The Liberation of RietburgThe player considered most heroic takes the first turn.
- The Manhattan Project: Energy EmpireThe person who used the least fuel to get from home to where the game is being played starts.
- The Quest for El DoradoWhoever sat at the table first takes the first turn and receives the starting-player hat.
- The Siege of RunedarThe shortest player starts, or choose the starter randomly.
- Ticket to RideThe most experienced traveler takes the first turn.
- Too Many MonkeysWhoever makes the best monkey sound starts the first round.
- Unstable UnicornsWhoever is wearing the most colors goes first.
- Victorian MastermindsWhoever has the best evil laugh starts.
- VillagersWhoever has lived in the same place the longest drafts first.
- Vivid MemoriesGive the start player marker to whoever can recall the earliest positive memory, or choose a player at random.
- Wake Up StarsThe first person to make a silly face goes first.
- YakThe person who is hairy as a yak starts the first round.
- Zoinx!The player whose name is closest to Z starts as the active player.
- Zombie KidzThe player least afraid of zombies begins the round.
A borrowed rule doesn’t bring its game’s tie-break with it. If several people qualify, or nobody does, use the random picker to settle it fairly.