From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar?

English CGE base-game rules, October 2012 copyright, file TZ_rules_EN_13.pdf

The player who most recently sacrificed something receives the starting-player marker.

Read the publisher’s rulebook

Rule details

The marker holder takes the first turn; play proceeds clockwise.

The marker does not rotate automatically between rounds. Placing a worker on the Starting Player Space changes its holder at the end of the round: take it from another player, or pass it left if you already hold it.

The thematic instruction does not define what counts as a sacrifice.

Official tie-break or fallback

If tied, give the marker to the player who volunteers for the next sacrifice.

Source & edition

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