Who goes first? Fair ways to pick a starting player
By the Minigames team ·
The short answer
The fairest way to decide who goes first is a random pick everyone can see. With three or more players, use a finger chooser: everyone touches the phone and one finger is picked. With two players or two teams, flip a coin. Both take seconds and give everyone the same chance.
- 3+ players
- Finger chooser
- 2 players or teams
- Coin flip
- Time
- A few seconds
Why rules like “youngest goes first” fall flat
Many games pick a starter by a quirky rule: the youngest player, the last person to visit a farm, whoever most recently rolled a die. They are fun once, but the same person ends up starting every game, and arguments start when nobody fits the rule.
A random pick is fair every time, and when it happens on a screen in the middle of the table nobody can say it was rigged.
The options compared
Each method suits a different group:
| Method | Best for | Fair? | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finger chooser | 3 or more players | Yes, equal chance per finger | About 2 seconds |
| Coin flip | 2 players or 2 teams | Yes, exactly 50/50 | About 2 seconds |
| Highest die roll | Any group with dice | Yes, but ties need rerolls | Slow with many players |
| Youngest player | Quick casual games | No, always the same person | Instant |
Finger chooser
Everyone puts one finger on the phone screen and keeps it there. Once nobody has joined or let go for two seconds, the chosen finger lights up. You can pick up to four winners, which is handy for team captains. Read more about how the finger chooser works.
Coin flip
For two players or two teams, a coin flip is hard to beat. Ours is exactly 50/50 and keeps a tally for best of three. Read more about coin flip odds.
After the first round
Many games settle the starting player themselves after the first round. In Chicago the player who took the coaster starts the next round, so you only need to pick a starter once.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fairest way to decide who goes first?
A random pick that everyone can see. Use a finger chooser for three or more players and a coin flip for two.
How do you pick a random player from a group?
Open a finger chooser, have everyone place a finger on the screen and wait two seconds. One finger is picked at random.
Does going first matter?
In many games it gives a small advantage, which is exactly why a fair random pick is worth the few seconds it takes.