How to decide who goes first
- Choose Pick a player for a single first player, or Full turn order to shuffle everyone.
- Enter the players’ names, or press Load my team if you’ve saved them before.
- Prefer a bit of fun? Choose Silly rule for a first-player rule like the ones printed in many rulebooks.
Why randomize the first player?
Going first is an advantage in many games, and “the person who owns the game goes first” gets old fast. A random pick is quick and fair, and nobody can complain about the result.
About the silly rules
Lots of board game rulebooks start with a playful first-player rule, like “the player who most recently visited a farm goes first.” The silly rule mode draws from 40 of our own, from “the player who most recently ate a pizza” to “the player who can balance on one foot the longest.” They’re a fun way to start the game with a laugh.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pick fair?
Yes. Players are picked with your browser’s cryptographically secure random number generator, so everyone has the same chance.
What if nobody fits the silly rule?
Draw another one, or fall back to picking a player at random.
Does turn order go clockwise after the first player?
In most games, yes. Use Full turn order when a game doesn’t follow the seating or when you’re playing online.