Who goes first?
From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in 12 Gangsters?

English Blue Orange edition, rulebook with 2020 copyright

The last person to dress up as a gangster takes the Boss token for the first round.

Read the publisher’s rulebook

Rule details

Players select and reveal their gangster cards simultaneously; the Boss token assigns the opening role, not an exclusive first card play.

The Boss token passes clockwise after each round.

If there’s a tie

The cited starting-player instruction does not specify a tie-break. We don’t infer one.

Source & edition

  • 12 Gangsters — English rulesBlue Orange · Gameplay opening instructions on PDF page 2; simultaneous card play and Boss rotation on PDF pages 1–2 · Checked 2026-09-24

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