Who goes first? Spin the wheel to decide
Put the players on the wheel and spin: the name under the pointer takes the first turn. Keep spinning with Remove the winner switched on and the wheel builds a complete random turn order, first to last, which you can copy and keep for the whole game.
Press Spin, click the wheel, or press Ctrl + Enter.
Results
- Your results will appear here.
How to decide who goes first
Name the players
Replace Player 1 to Player 6 with real names, or keep the numbers and match them to seats around the table.
Spin for the first player
One spin is enough for most games, where play then passes clockwise.
Build a full order if you need one
Tick Remove the winner after each spin in Settings and keep spinning until one name remains; that player goes last.
Copy the order
Press Copy under Results to paste the numbered turn order into the group chat or onto a score sheet.
How do I decide who goes first in a board game?
Check the rulebook first. Many games suggest a first player, sometimes with a playful rule such as the youngest player or whoever most recently did something related to the theme. When the rules leave it open, or your group wants something neutral, spin the wheel once. In most games play then passes clockwise, so the first player is the only thing you need.
Some games give later players a small bonus to make up for not going first. Keep those rules in place; the wheel only decides who starts, not how the game balances itself.
How do I build a complete turn order?
Open Settings and tick Remove the winner after each spin. Each spin now fills the next place in the order and takes that player off the wheel when you close the result. With six players, five spins decide places one to five and the last name left takes sixth; spin it once more if you want it written in the list.
The Results list numbers every spin, so pressing Copy gives you "1. Priya", "2. Marco" and so on, ready to paste. If you want the whole order in a single click rather than one reveal at a time, the random order generator shuffles a full list at once.
Turn order for sports, presentations and meetings
- Sports and playground games: who serves first, the batting order in a casual game, or the order of heats on sports day.
- Class presentations: spin the order a day ahead and post it, so later presenters are not left waiting anxiously.
- Pitch sessions and hackathons: a spun order shows judges and teams that nobody chose their slot.
- Meetings: the speaking order for a round-table update, so the same person does not always go first.
When the players need to form sides before deciding who starts, split them with the team picker wheel and then spin the team names here.
Wheel, dice or coin: which is best for going first?
With two players, a coin flip does the job. The traditional highest roll with dice works for any group but needs rerolls when players tie. The wheel handles any number of players with no ties, and it can produce the whole order, not just the first player. Rather than worrying about fairness, you can read how the wheel's randomness is tested.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Remove the winner" do on the who goes first wheel?
It takes each chosen player off the wheel when you close the result, so the next spin picks from the players who are left. Spinning repeatedly with it on turns the wheel into a full turn order, first to last.
Can I keep the turn order for next game night?
Copy it from the Results list and paste it into a note or group chat, because the Results list is cleared when you leave the page. The wheel's player names are saved in your browser automatically.
Can I use player numbers instead of names?
Yes. The sample wheel uses Player 1 to Player 6 for exactly that. Number the seats around the table, spin, and the player in the matching seat starts. Add or delete numbers to match your group.
Is going first an advantage?
It depends on the game. In some, the first player gets a head start; in others, going later gives you more information. Many rulebooks balance this themselves, so spinning simply makes sure nobody chose the advantage.
How many players can the wheel handle?
Up to 200 names, so it covers anything from a two-player card game to a full class or tournament. For very long lists, the random order generator shuffles everyone in one step.