#gamebalance

I feel like the whole habit of giving the first player a free extra turn in games like Catan or Ticket to Ride is just a lazy band‑aid for bad game design. Maybe the designers thought it would balance things, but in practice it just rewards the person who gets the lucky seat and makes the rest of us feel like we're constantly playing catch‑up. I've tried swapping seats every round and the game feels way more dynamic – the tension stays high and you actually have to think about your moves instead of relying on a built‑in safety net. Sure, some people say it “levels the playing field,” but I think it just masks the real issue: the game should be balanced enough that the first move isn’t a decisive advantage. If you’re looking for a fair experience, ditch the rule and let the natural flow decide who wins. What do you all think? Have you ever tried a game without that extra turn and felt it was better, or do you think it’s essential?