diff --git a/server/internal/wsapi/multiplayer_test.go b/server/internal/wsapi/multiplayer_test.go
index ffcff67..f08b489 100644
--- a/server/internal/wsapi/multiplayer_test.go
+++ b/server/internal/wsapi/multiplayer_test.go
@@ -106,14 +106,27 @@ func TestStartWaitsForEveryGuest(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	host.startGame()
+	// Who leads is drawn, so what has to hold is that the room agrees on one
+	// leader and that exactly one player was dealt the turn.
+	lead, onTurn := "", 0
 	for _, c := range clients {
 		start := c.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
 		if got := len(start.GetPlayers()); got != 3 {
 			t.Errorf("the game was dealt to %d players, want 3", got)
 		}
-		if start.GetTurnPlayerId() != "p1" {
-			t.Errorf("turn_player_id = %q, want p1 — seat order is turn order", start.GetTurnPlayerId())
+		switch {
+		case lead == "":
+			lead = start.GetTurnPlayerId()
+		case start.GetTurnPlayerId() != lead:
+			t.Errorf("turn_player_id = %q, want %q — the room must agree on who leads",
+				start.GetTurnPlayerId(), lead)
 		}
+		if start.GetMyTurn() {
+			onTurn++
+		}
+	}
+	if onTurn != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("%d players were dealt the first turn, want exactly 1", onTurn)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -177,46 +190,54 @@ func TestAGameOutlivesItsFirstElimination(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// The player on turn gives up. Two are left, so the game does not end.
-	host.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_Resign{Resign: &noituv1.Resign{}}})
+	// Which player that is, is drawn at the start, so the test follows the
+	// turn rather than assuming the owner has it. Players are listed in turn
+	// order from the leader, so the seat after them inherits the position.
+	lead := onTurnClient(t, clients, starts)
+	leadID := starts[lead].GetTurnPlayerId()
+	nextID := starts[lead].GetPlayers()[1].GetPlayerId()
+	next := clientWithID(t, clients, starts, nextID)
+
+	lead.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_Resign{Resign: &noituv1.Resign{}}})
 
 	for _, c := range clients {
 		out := c.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
-		if out.GetPlayerId() != "p1" {
-			t.Errorf("%q went out, want p1", out.GetPlayerId())
+		if out.GetPlayerId() != leadID {
+			t.Errorf("%q went out, want %q", out.GetPlayerId(), leadID)
 		}
-		if got := out.GetIsMe(); got != (c == host) {
+		if got := out.GetIsMe(); got != (c == lead) {
 			t.Errorf("is_me = %v for the wrong recipient", got)
 		}
-		if c != host && len(out.GetSuggestions()) != 0 {
+		if c != lead && len(out.GetSuggestions()) != 0 {
 			t.Errorf("a player who is still in was sent suggestions %v", out.GetSuggestions())
 		}
 	}
 
 	// A turn update with no word: the position survived the player who left it.
-	update := second.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
+	update := next.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
 	if update.GetPlayed() != nil {
 		t.Error("an elimination reported a word as played")
 	}
-	if update.GetCurrentSyllable() != starts[second].GetCurrentSyllable() {
+	if update.GetCurrentSyllable() != starts[next].GetCurrentSyllable() {
 		t.Errorf("the syllable moved on an elimination: %q -> %q",
-			starts[second].GetCurrentSyllable(), update.GetCurrentSyllable())
+			starts[next].GetCurrentSyllable(), update.GetCurrentSyllable())
 	}
-	if update.GetTurnPlayerId() != "p2" || !update.GetMyTurn() {
-		t.Errorf("turn went to %q, want p2", update.GetTurnPlayerId())
+	if update.GetTurnPlayerId() != nextID || !update.GetMyTurn() {
+		t.Errorf("turn went to %q, want %q", update.GetTurnPlayerId(), nextID)
 	}
-	if update.GetTurnSeq() == starts[second].GetTurnSeq() {
+	if update.GetTurnSeq() == starts[next].GetTurnSeq() {
 		t.Error("the turn sequence did not move, so a stale submission could still land")
 	}
 
 	// The player who went out is still in the room and still being told what
 	// is happening in it.
-	watching := host.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
+	watching := lead.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
 	if watching.GetMyTurn() {
 		t.Error("an eliminated player was dealt a turn")
 	}
 	var eliminated bool
 	for _, p := range watching.GetPlayers() {
-		if p.GetPlayerId() == "p1" {
+		if p.GetPlayerId() == leadID {
 			eliminated = p.GetEliminated()
 		}
 	}
@@ -225,12 +246,39 @@ func TestAGameOutlivesItsFirstElimination(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// And they can still talk, which is the other half of staying in the room.
-	host.say("chúc may mắn")
-	if got := second.await("chat_message").GetChatMessage().GetText(); got != "chúc may mắn" {
+	lead.say("chúc may mắn")
+	if got := next.await("chat_message").GetChatMessage().GetText(); got != "chúc may mắn" {
 		t.Errorf("an eliminated player's message arrived as %q", got)
 	}
 }
 
+// onTurnClient is the client that drew the first turn.
+func onTurnClient(t *testing.T, clients []*testClient, starts map[*testClient]*noituv1.GameStarted) *testClient {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, c := range clients {
+		if starts[c].GetMyTurn() {
+			return c
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatal("no client was dealt the first turn")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// clientWithID is the client seated at id, found through the is_me row it was
+// sent — a client is told which seat is its own and nothing else identifies it.
+func clientWithID(t *testing.T, clients []*testClient, starts map[*testClient]*noituv1.GameStarted, id string) *testClient {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, c := range clients {
+		for _, p := range starts[c].GetPlayers() {
+			if p.GetIsMe() && p.GetPlayerId() == id {
+				return c
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("no client is seated at %q", id)
+	return nil
+}
+
 // The last elimination ends it, and everybody is shown the same table from
 // their own side.
 func TestStandingsReachEverySeat(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/server/internal/wsapi/regression_test.go b/server/internal/wsapi/regression_test.go
index 88752fe..692f7d5 100644
--- a/server/internal/wsapi/regression_test.go
+++ b/server/internal/wsapi/regression_test.go
@@ -49,15 +49,16 @@ func TestNicknamesCannotStackCombiningMarks(t *testing.T) {
 // each is a guard against the same mistake returning rather than a restatement
 // of behaviour already covered elsewhere.
 
-// startPvP runs two clients up to the point where the game is live.
-func startPvP(t *testing.T, url string) (host, guest *testClient, code string) {
+// startPvP runs two clients up to the point where the game is live, and hands
+// them back in turn order: lead moves first, waits answers.
+func startPvP(t *testing.T, url string) (lead, waits *testClient, code string) {
 	t.Helper()
-	host = dial(t, url)
+	host := dial(t, url)
 	host.hello("Chủ phòng")
 	host.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_CreateRoom{CreateRoom: &noituv1.CreateRoom{}}})
 	code = host.await("room_state").GetRoomState().GetRoomCode()
 
-	guest = dial(t, url)
+	guest := dial(t, url)
 	guest.hello("Khách")
 	guest.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_JoinRoom{
 		JoinRoom: &noituv1.JoinRoom{RoomCode: code},
@@ -70,9 +71,11 @@ func startPvP(t *testing.T, url string) (host, guest *testClient, code string) {
 	guest.setReady(true)
 	host.await("room_state")
 	host.startGame()
-	host.await("game_started")
-	guest.await("game_started")
-	return host, guest, code
+	// Returned in turn order rather than as owner and joiner: the first turn
+	// is drawn, so a test that plays a move has to be handed the player who
+	// may play it.
+	lead, waits, _ = awaitLead(t, host, guest)
+	return lead, waits, code
 }
 
 // silentFor asserts the client receives no message of the given kind within a
@@ -234,50 +237,50 @@ func TestRoomCreationIsRateLimited(t *testing.T) {
 // stopping after the first move as the alternation test does.
 //
 // The dead end at the end of the chain does not decide the game by itself:
-// the guest is left holding a turn nobody could answer, and it is the clock
-// that ends it. The turn limit is short because this test spends one.
+// the second player is left holding a turn nobody could answer, and it is the
+// clock that ends it. The turn limit is short because this test spends one.
 func TestPvPGameRunsToAWinner(t *testing.T) {
 	_, url := newTestServer(t, chainDict(), Config{TurnLimit: time.Second})
-	host, guest, _ := startPvP(t, url)
+	lead, waits, _ := startPvP(t, url)
 
-	// a b (opening) -> b c -> c d -> d e, after which the guest has nothing.
-	host.submit("b c", 1)
-	guestTurn := awaitMyTurn(t, guest)
-	guest.submit("c d", guestTurn.GetTurnSeq())
-	hostTurn := awaitMyTurn(t, host)
-	host.submit("d e", hostTurn.GetTurnSeq())
+	// a b (opening) -> b c -> c d -> d e, after which waits has nothing.
+	lead.submit("b c", 1)
+	waitsTurn := awaitMyTurn(t, waits)
+	waits.submit("c d", waitsTurn.GetTurnSeq())
+	leadTurn := awaitMyTurn(t, lead)
+	lead.submit("d e", leadTurn.GetTurnSeq())
 
 	// The elimination comes first and carries what the position had left, so
 	// it has to be read before the result it caused.
-	guestOut := guest.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
-	hostOut := host.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
+	loserOut := waits.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
+	winnerOut := lead.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
 
-	if !guestOut.GetIsMe() || hostOut.GetIsMe() {
+	if !loserOut.GetIsMe() || winnerOut.GetIsMe() {
 		t.Error("is_me should be true only for the player who went out")
 	}
 
-	hostOver := host.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
-	guestOver := guest.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
+	winnerOver := lead.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
+	loserOver := waits.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
 
-	if hostOver.GetIWon() == guestOver.GetIWon() {
-		t.Fatalf("both players were told the same outcome: host=%v guest=%v",
-			hostOver.GetIWon(), guestOver.GetIWon())
+	if winnerOver.GetIWon() == loserOver.GetIWon() {
+		t.Fatalf("both players were told the same outcome: lead=%v waits=%v",
+			winnerOver.GetIWon(), loserOver.GetIWon())
 	}
-	if !hostOver.GetIWon() {
+	if !winnerOver.GetIWon() {
 		t.Error("the player who left their opponent with no legal move should win")
 	}
-	if hostOver.GetReason() != noituv1.GameEndReason_GAME_END_REASON_NO_LEGAL_MOVE {
-		t.Errorf("reason = %v, want NO_LEGAL_MOVE", hostOver.GetReason())
+	if winnerOver.GetReason() != noituv1.GameEndReason_GAME_END_REASON_NO_LEGAL_MOVE {
+		t.Errorf("reason = %v, want NO_LEGAL_MOVE", winnerOver.GetReason())
 	}
 
 	// Nothing could have been played, and the empty list is how the player who
 	// was stuck is told so. It rides on the elimination rather than the
 	// result: it describes the position they were looking at, which by the end
 	// of a longer game is nobody else's position.
-	if got := guestOut.GetSuggestions(); len(got) != 0 {
+	if got := loserOut.GetSuggestions(); len(got) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("the losing player was offered %v out of a dead end, want nothing", got)
 	}
-	if got := hostOut.GetSuggestions(); len(got) != 0 {
+	if got := winnerOut.GetSuggestions(); len(got) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("the winner was sent suggestions %v, want none", got)
 	}
 }
@@ -287,23 +290,23 @@ func TestPvPGameRunsToAWinner(t *testing.T) {
 // shown some of them.
 func TestLosingPlayerIsToldWhatCouldHaveBeenPlayed(t *testing.T) {
 	_, url := newTestServer(t, chainDict(), Config{TurnLimit: 10 * time.Second})
-	host, guest, _ := startPvP(t, url)
+	lead, waits, _ := startPvP(t, url)
 
 	// The opening is "a b", so "b c" is still there to be played.
-	guest.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_Resign{Resign: &noituv1.Resign{}}})
+	waits.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_Resign{Resign: &noituv1.Resign{}}})
 
-	guestOut := guest.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
-	hostOut := host.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
+	loserOut := waits.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
+	winnerOut := lead.await("player_eliminated").GetPlayerEliminated()
 
-	guestOver := guest.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
+	loserOver := waits.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
 
-	if guestOver.GetIWon() {
+	if loserOver.GetIWon() {
 		t.Fatal("the player who resigned was told they won")
 	}
-	if got := guestOut.GetSuggestions(); !slices.Equal(got, []string{"b c"}) {
+	if got := loserOut.GetSuggestions(); !slices.Equal(got, []string{"b c"}) {
 		t.Errorf("suggestions = %v, want [b c]", got)
 	}
-	if got := hostOut.GetSuggestions(); len(got) != 0 {
+	if got := winnerOut.GetSuggestions(); len(got) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("the winner was sent suggestions %v, want none", got)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/server/internal/wsapi/room.go b/server/internal/wsapi/room.go
index 150da57..03d5151 100644
--- a/server/internal/wsapi/room.go
+++ b/server/internal/wsapi/room.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"iter"
 	"log/slog"
 	"math/rand/v2"
+	"slices"
 	"time"
 
 	noituv1 "github.com/tiennm99dev/noitu/server/gen/noitu/v1"
@@ -696,6 +697,19 @@ func (r *room) beginGame() error {
 			ids = append(ids, s.id)
 		}
 	}
+	// Who leads is drawn rather than owned. Opening the game is an advantage —
+	// the first player picks from a whole syllable, everyone after them plays
+	// what is left of it — and giving it to whoever happened to create the
+	// room would make the same person favourite in every game of a series.
+	//
+	// Rotating rather than shuffling keeps the table intact: everybody still
+	// plays in the order they sat down, the cycle just starts somewhere else.
+	// A bot room is left alone; it has no table to be fair about, and the
+	// human opens.
+	if r.strategy == nil {
+		lead := rand.IntN(len(ids))
+		ids = slices.Concat(ids[lead:], ids[:lead])
+	}
 
 	engine, err := game.New(r.dict, ids, opening, r.turnLimit, time.Now())
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1452,8 +1466,9 @@ func (r *room) broadcastRoomState() {
 	}
 }
 
-// playerSlots renders the seating for one recipient, in seat order — which is
-// also the turn order a game started from this lobby will use.
+// playerSlots renders the seating for one recipient, in seat order. That is
+// the order they will play in, but not who plays first: the lead is drawn when
+// the game starts, and the table sent with it is the one in turn order.
 func (r *room) playerSlots(me game.PlayerID) []*noituv1.PlayerSlot {
 	slots := make([]*noituv1.PlayerSlot, 0, maxPlayers)
 	for _, s := range r.seats {
diff --git a/server/internal/wsapi/wsapi_test.go b/server/internal/wsapi/wsapi_test.go
index b94849b..e526420 100644
--- a/server/internal/wsapi/wsapi_test.go
+++ b/server/internal/wsapi/wsapi_test.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"iter"
+	"math/rand/v2"
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"runtime"
 	"slices"
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/coder/websocket"
 	noituv1 "github.com/tiennm99dev/noitu/server/gen/noitu/v1"
+	"github.com/tiennm99dev/noitu/server/internal/bot"
 	"github.com/tiennm99dev/noitu/server/internal/game"
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/proto"
 )
@@ -334,6 +336,55 @@ func TestBotGamePlaysToCompletion(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestTheFirstTurnIsDrawn checks that opening the room is not the same as
+// opening the game. Moving first is an advantage, and handing it to the owner
+// every time would make them favourite in every game of a series.
+func TestTheFirstTurnIsDrawn(t *testing.T) {
+	// Started here rather than over a pair of sockets: a series long enough to
+	// tell a draw from a fixed lead is far more starts than a lobby's rate
+	// limiter allows, and none of what is being checked is on the wire.
+	r := &room{dict: chainDict(), turnLimit: time.Second}
+	r.seats[0] = &seat{id: "p1"}
+	r.seats[1] = &seat{id: "p2"}
+
+	// There are two outcomes, so a series that only ever shows one of them is
+	// a lead that is not being drawn. A fixed lead fails this every time; a
+	// fair draw fails it about once in five hundred million runs.
+	const games = 30
+	led := map[game.PlayerID]int{}
+	for range games {
+		if err := r.beginGame(); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("beginGame: %v", err)
+		}
+		led[r.engine.Turn()]++
+	}
+
+	if led["p1"] == 0 || led["p2"] == 0 {
+		t.Errorf("over %d games p1 led %d and p2 %d; the first turn is not being drawn",
+			games, led["p1"], led["p2"])
+	}
+}
+
+// The one room where the lead is not drawn: the human opens against the bot.
+func TestABotGameOpensWithTheHuman(t *testing.T) {
+	strategy, err := bot.New(bot.Easy, rand.New(rand.NewPCG(1, 2)))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("bot.New: %v", err)
+	}
+	r := &room{dict: chainDict(), turnLimit: time.Second, strategy: strategy}
+	r.seats[0] = &seat{id: "p1"}
+	r.seats[1] = &seat{id: botPlayerID}
+
+	for range 20 {
+		if err := r.beginGame(); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("beginGame: %v", err)
+		}
+		if got := r.engine.Turn(); got != "p1" {
+			t.Fatalf("the bot game opened on %q, want the human", got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // TestPvPGameAlternatesTurns runs two clients through a full game and checks
 // that each sees the other's move rendered from its own side.
 func TestPvPGameAlternatesTurns(t *testing.T) {
@@ -351,37 +402,29 @@ func TestPvPGameAlternatesTurns(t *testing.T) {
 	}})
 	readyAndStart(t, host, guest)
 
-	hostStart := host.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
-	guestStart := guest.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
+	lead, waits, start := awaitLead(t, host, guest)
 
-	if hostStart.GetMyTurn() == guestStart.GetMyTurn() {
-		t.Fatal("exactly one player must be on turn")
-	}
-	if !hostStart.GetMyTurn() {
-		t.Fatal("the room creator takes the first turn")
-	}
-
-	host.submit("b c", hostStart.GetTurnSeq())
+	lead.submit("b c", start.GetTurnSeq())
 
 	// The same move, rendered per recipient: by_me flips, my_turn flips.
-	hostUpdate := host.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
-	guestUpdate := guest.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
+	moverUpdate := lead.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
+	otherUpdate := waits.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
 
-	if !hostUpdate.GetPlayed().GetByMe() {
+	if !moverUpdate.GetPlayed().GetByMe() {
 		t.Error("mover should see by_me = true")
 	}
-	if guestUpdate.GetPlayed().GetByMe() {
+	if otherUpdate.GetPlayed().GetByMe() {
 		t.Error("opponent should see by_me = false")
 	}
-	if hostUpdate.GetMyTurn() {
+	if moverUpdate.GetMyTurn() {
 		t.Error("mover should not be on turn after moving")
 	}
-	if !guestUpdate.GetMyTurn() {
+	if !otherUpdate.GetMyTurn() {
 		t.Error("opponent should now be on turn")
 	}
-	if myScore(hostUpdate) != otherScore(guestUpdate) {
+	if myScore(moverUpdate) != otherScore(otherUpdate) {
 		t.Errorf("scores disagree across recipients: %d vs %d",
-			myScore(hostUpdate), otherScore(guestUpdate))
+			myScore(moverUpdate), otherScore(otherUpdate))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -402,10 +445,9 @@ func TestTurnTimeoutEndsGameServerSide(t *testing.T) {
 	}})
 	readyAndStart(t, host, guest)
 
-	host.await("game_started")
-	guest.await("game_started")
+	_, waits, _ := awaitLead(t, host, guest)
 
-	over := guest.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
+	over := waits.await("game_over").GetGameOver()
 	if !over.GetIWon() {
 		t.Error("the player who did not time out should win")
 	}
@@ -471,17 +513,16 @@ func TestReplayingAWordIsRejected(t *testing.T) {
 		JoinRoom: &noituv1.JoinRoom{RoomCode: code},
 	}})
 	readyAndStart(t, host, guest)
-	hostStart := host.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
-	guest.await("game_started")
+	lead, waits, start := awaitLead(t, host, guest)
 
 	// Opening "a b" is used and current syllable is "b". Play "b a" so the
 	// syllable returns to "a", where the opening word now links legally.
-	host.submit("b a", hostStart.GetTurnSeq())
-	guestTurn := guest.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
+	lead.submit("b a", start.GetTurnSeq())
+	replyTurn := waits.await("turn_update").GetTurnUpdate()
 
-	guest.submit("a b", guestTurn.GetTurnSeq())
+	waits.submit("a b", replyTurn.GetTurnSeq())
 
-	got := guest.await("move_rejected").GetMoveRejected()
+	got := waits.await("move_rejected").GetMoveRejected()
 	if got.GetReason() != noituv1.RejectReason_REJECT_REASON_ALREADY_USED {
 		t.Errorf("reason = %v, want ALREADY_USED", got.GetReason())
 	}
@@ -522,7 +563,7 @@ func TestResumeWithinGraceRestoresGame(t *testing.T) {
 		JoinRoom: &noituv1.JoinRoom{RoomCode: code},
 	}})
 	readyAndStart(t, host, guest)
-	host.await("game_started")
+	hostStart := host.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
 	guest.await("game_started")
 
 	_ = host.conn.Close(websocket.StatusGoingAway, "")
@@ -547,8 +588,8 @@ func TestResumeWithinGraceRestoresGame(t *testing.T) {
 	if restored.GetOpeningWord() != "a b" {
 		t.Errorf("resumed on %q, want the original opening", restored.GetOpeningWord())
 	}
-	if !restored.GetMyTurn() {
-		t.Error("the resumed player was on turn and should still be")
+	if restored.GetMyTurn() != hostStart.GetMyTurn() {
+		t.Error("the resumed player should come back to the turn they left")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1044,6 +1085,25 @@ func readyAndStart(t *testing.T, host, guest *testClient) {
 	host.startGame()
 }
 
+// awaitLead reads both game_started messages and sorts the pair into the one
+// that drew the first turn and the one that waits.
+//
+// The lead is random per game, so a test that needs to play a move has to ask
+// who may play it rather than assume the room's creator. It returns the
+// leader's GameStarted for its turn_seq.
+func awaitLead(t *testing.T, host, guest *testClient) (lead, waits *testClient, started *noituv1.GameStarted) {
+	t.Helper()
+	hostStart := host.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
+	guestStart := guest.await("game_started").GetGameStarted()
+	if hostStart.GetMyTurn() == guestStart.GetMyTurn() {
+		t.Fatal("exactly one player must be on turn")
+	}
+	if hostStart.GetMyTurn() {
+		return host, guest, hostStart
+	}
+	return guest, host, guestStart
+}
+
 func (c *testClient) setReady(ready bool) {
 	c.t.Helper()
 	c.send(&noituv1.ClientMessage{Payload: &noituv1.ClientMessage_SetReady{
diff --git a/web/e2e/helpers.js b/web/e2e/helpers.js
index 78eda33..7beeae8 100644
--- a/web/e2e/helpers.js
+++ b/web/e2e/helpers.js
@@ -31,6 +31,36 @@ export async function waitForMyTurn(page) {
 	await expect(board(page).turn).toHaveText('Đến lượt bạn', { timeout: 30_000 });
 }
 
+/**
+ * Waits until one of these players is on turn, and sorts them into the one who
+ * has it and the ones who do not.
+ *
+ * Who moves first is drawn when the game starts, so a test that plays a move
+ * has to ask rather than assume the room's owner. It polls the indicators
+ * together instead of waiting on one page, because the state being waited for
+ * belongs to the room and not to any single player.
+ *
+ * @param {import('@playwright/test').Page[]} pages
+ * @returns {Promise<{lead: import('@playwright/test').Page, waits: import('@playwright/test').Page[]}>}
+ */
+export async function awaitTurn(...pages) {
+	let onTurn = -1;
+	await expect
+		.poll(
+			async () => {
+				const shown = await Promise.all(
+					pages.map((page) => board(page).turn.textContent().catch(() => null))
+				);
+				onTurn = shown.findIndex((text) => (text ?? '').trim() === 'Đến lượt bạn');
+				return onTurn;
+			},
+			{ timeout: 30_000, message: 'nobody was dealt the turn' }
+		)
+		.toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(0);
+
+	return { lead: pages[onTurn], waits: pages.filter((_, i) => i !== onTurn) };
+}
+
 /**
  * Types a word and sends it. The field is uncontrolled on purpose, so this
  * fills and submits exactly as a player would.
diff --git a/web/e2e/pvp-game.spec.js b/web/e2e/pvp-game.spec.js
index 3f002f9..f54005d 100644
--- a/web/e2e/pvp-game.spec.js
+++ b/web/e2e/pvp-game.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';
 import {
+	awaitTurn,
 	board,
 	chainWords,
 	chat,
@@ -48,14 +49,22 @@ async function joinRoom(page, nickname, code) {
 	await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Vào phòng' }).click();
 }
 
-/** Seats a pair and plays them into a game, which is where most tests start. */
+/**
+ * Seats a pair and plays them into a game, which is where most tests start.
+ *
+ * Also handed back as lead and second: the first turn is drawn, so a test that
+ * plays a move takes the player who may play it rather than the owner.
+ */
 async function playingPair(browser) {
 	const pair = await twoPlayers(browser);
 	const code = await createRoom(pair.host, 'Minh');
 	await joinRoom(pair.guest, 'Lan', code);
 	await readyAndStart(pair.host, pair.guest);
-	await waitForMyTurn(pair.host);
-	return { ...pair, code };
+	const {
+		lead,
+		waits: [second]
+	} = await awaitTurn(pair.host, pair.guest);
+	return { ...pair, code, lead, second };
 }
 
 test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
@@ -69,11 +78,15 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		await joinRoom(guest, 'Lan', code);
 		await readyAndStart(host, guest);
 
-		// Both boards come up, and exactly one player is on turn.
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
+		// Both boards come up, and exactly one player is on turn — which of
+		// them is drawn when the game starts.
+		const {
+			lead,
+			waits: [waiting]
+		} = await awaitTurn(host, guest);
 		// Whose turn it is, by name: with four seats "the opponent" would stop
 		// naming anybody.
-		await expect(board(guest).turn).toHaveText('Đến lượt Minh…');
+		await expect(board(waiting).turn).toHaveText(`Đến lượt ${lead === host ? 'Minh' : 'Lan'}…`);
 
 		// Each side is shown the other's server-sanitized name. Scoped to the
 		// scoreboard: the turn indicator names a player too, so an unscoped
@@ -81,16 +94,16 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		await expect(host.getByTestId('scoreboard').getByText('Lan')).toBeVisible();
 		await expect(guest.getByTestId('scoreboard').getByText('Minh')).toBeVisible();
 
-		const used = new Set(await chainWords(host));
-		const hostWord = await playLegalMove(host, used);
+		const used = new Set(await chainWords(lead));
+		const opening = await playLegalMove(lead, used);
 
 		// The move crosses to the other browser, and the turn goes with it.
-		await expect(guest.getByText(hostWord, { exact: true }).first()).toBeVisible();
-		await waitForMyTurn(guest);
+		await expect(waiting.getByText(opening, { exact: true }).first()).toBeVisible();
+		await waitForMyTurn(waiting);
 
-		const guestWord = await playLegalMove(guest, used);
-		await expect(host.getByText(guestWord, { exact: true }).first()).toBeVisible();
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
+		const reply = await playLegalMove(waiting, used);
+		await expect(lead.getByText(reply, { exact: true }).first()).toBeVisible();
+		await waitForMyTurn(lead);
 
 		await close();
 	});
@@ -107,7 +120,7 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		await expect(guest.getByTestId('ready')).toBeVisible();
 		await readyAndStart(host, guest);
 
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
+		await awaitTurn(host, guest);
 		await expect(board(guest).syllable).toBeVisible();
 
 		await close();
@@ -145,7 +158,7 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 
 		// A new game in the same room: the code is unchanged and the board is
 		// back to a single opening word.
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
+		await awaitTurn(host, guest);
 		await expect(host.getByText(code)).toBeVisible();
 		expect(await chainWords(host)).toHaveLength(1);
 
@@ -270,7 +283,7 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		// And the conversation follows them into the game, where a screen this
 		// wide keeps it beside the board rather than folding it away.
 		await readyAndStart(host, guest);
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
+		await awaitTurn(host, guest);
 		await expect(chat(host).log).toContainText('chào bạn');
 
 		await close();
@@ -294,7 +307,7 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		await expect(chat(host).log).toContainText('hai');
 
 		await readyAndStart(host, guest);
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
+		await awaitTurn(host, guest);
 
 		// The panel that folds on the way into the game is the one that was
 		// open in the lobby. What it had already shown is not new mail.
@@ -314,19 +327,19 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 	});
 
 	test('a turn arriving does not take the chat field away', async ({ browser }) => {
-		const { host, guest, close } = await playingPair(browser);
+		const { lead, second, close } = await playingPair(browser);
 
-		// The guest starts typing while the host is still on turn. The word
-		// field wants focus the moment a turn lands, and taking it here would
-		// drop the rest of the sentence into the game.
-		await chat(guest).input.click();
-		await chat(guest).input.fill('đang gõ dở');
+		// The player waiting starts typing while the other is still on turn.
+		// The word field wants focus the moment a turn lands, and taking it
+		// here would drop the rest of the sentence into the game.
+		await chat(second).input.click();
+		await chat(second).input.fill('đang gõ dở');
 
-		await playLegalMove(host, new Set(await chainWords(host)));
-		await waitForMyTurn(guest);
+		await playLegalMove(lead, new Set(await chainWords(lead)));
+		await waitForMyTurn(second);
 
-		await expect(chat(guest).input).toBeFocused();
-		await expect(chat(guest).input).toHaveValue('đang gõ dở');
+		await expect(chat(second).input).toBeFocused();
+		await expect(chat(second).input).toHaveValue('đang gõ dở');
 
 		await close();
 	});
@@ -470,10 +483,17 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		await expect(host.getByTestId('start-game')).toBeDisabled();
 		await readyAndStart(host, ...players);
 
-		// Four boards, and exactly one player on turn.
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
-		for (const page of [guest, ...players]) {
-			await expect(board(page).turn).toHaveText('Đến lượt Minh…');
+		// Four boards, and exactly one player on turn — whoever the draw dealt
+		// it to. The other three are all told the same name.
+		const names = new Map([
+			[host, 'Minh'],
+			[guest, 'Lan'],
+			[players[0], 'Nam'],
+			[players[1], 'Hà']
+		]);
+		const { lead, waits } = await awaitTurn(host, guest, ...players);
+		for (const page of waits) {
+			await expect(board(page).turn).toHaveText(`Đến lượt ${names.get(lead)}…`);
 		}
 
 		await fifthContext.close();
@@ -496,29 +516,41 @@ test.describe('playing a stranger', () => {
 		await joinRoom(third, 'Nam', code);
 
 		await readyAndStart(host, guest, third);
-		await waitForMyTurn(host);
 
-		host.on('dialog', (dialog) => dialog.accept());
-		await host.getByRole('button', { name: 'Đầu hàng' }).click();
+		// The player who drew the first turn is the one who gives it up, so
+		// the position is inherited rather than merely passed over.
+		const names = new Map([
+			[host, 'Minh'],
+			[guest, 'Lan'],
+			[third, 'Nam']
+		]);
+		const { lead, waits } = await awaitTurn(host, guest, third);
+
+		lead.on('dialog', (dialog) => dialog.accept());
+		await lead.getByRole('button', { name: 'Đầu hàng' }).click();
 
 		// Out, but still in the room: no input, no result screen, and the game
 		// carrying on in front of them.
-		await expect(host.getByTestId('eliminated')).toBeVisible();
-		await expect(host.getByRole('textbox', { name: 'Nhập từ của bạn' })).toHaveCount(0);
-		await expect(host.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Bạn thua.' })).toHaveCount(0);
-		await expect(host.getByTestId('turn-indicator')).toHaveText('Đến lượt Lan…');
+		await expect(lead.getByTestId('eliminated')).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(lead.getByRole('textbox', { name: 'Nhập từ của bạn' })).toHaveCount(0);
+		await expect(lead.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Bạn thua.' })).toHaveCount(0);
 
-		// The others are told who went out, and one of them is now on turn.
-		await expect(guest.getByTestId('player-out')).toContainText('Minh');
-		await waitForMyTurn(guest);
+		// The others are told who went out, and the next of them is on turn —
+		// which the player who left is shown by name.
+		const {
+			lead: next,
+			waits: [last]
+		} = await awaitTurn(...waits);
+		await expect(lead.getByTestId('turn-indicator')).toHaveText(`Đến lượt ${names.get(next)}…`);
+		await expect(next.getByTestId('player-out')).toContainText(names.get(lead));
 
 		// The last two settle it, and everybody sees the same table.
-		guest.on('dialog', (dialog) => dialog.accept());
-		await guest.getByRole('button', { name: 'Đầu hàng' }).click();
+		next.on('dialog', (dialog) => dialog.accept());
+		await next.getByRole('button', { name: 'Đầu hàng' }).click();
 
-		await expect(third.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Bạn thắng!' })).toBeVisible();
-		await expect(host.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Bạn thua.' })).toBeVisible();
-		await expect(host.getByTestId('standings').locator('li')).toHaveCount(3);
+		await expect(last.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Bạn thắng!' })).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(lead.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Bạn thua.' })).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(lead.getByTestId('standings').locator('li')).toHaveCount(3);
 
 		await thirdContext.close();
 		await close();
diff --git a/web/e2e/reconnect.spec.js b/web/e2e/reconnect.spec.js
index 59a053b..2cf888b 100644
--- a/web/e2e/reconnect.spec.js
+++ b/web/e2e/reconnect.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';
 import {
+	awaitTurn,
 	board,
 	chainWords,
 	playLegalMove,
@@ -19,6 +20,10 @@ import { cuttableSocket } from './socket-cut.js';
 /**
  * Seats two players in a room and returns them with the room code.
  *
+ * The pair comes back twice over: as owner and joiner, which is what the seat
+ * ids and the names follow, and as lead and second, which is who the first
+ * turn was drawn for.
+ *
  * @param {import('@playwright/test').Browser} browser
  */
 async function pvpRoom(browser) {
@@ -37,12 +42,21 @@ async function pvpRoom(browser) {
 	await guest.getByLabel('Mã phòng').fill(code);
 	await guest.getByRole('button', { name: 'Vào phòng' }).click();
 	await readyAndStart(host, guest);
-	await waitForMyTurn(host);
+	const {
+		lead,
+		waits: [second]
+	} = await awaitTurn(host, guest);
 
 	return {
 		host,
 		guest,
 		code,
+		lead,
+		second,
+		/** @param {import('@playwright/test').Page} page */
+		seatOf: (page) => (page === host ? 'p1' : 'p2'),
+		/** @param {import('@playwright/test').Page} page */
+		nameOf: (page) => (page === host ? 'Minh' : 'Lan'),
 		async close() {
 			await hostContext.close();
 			await guestContext.close();
@@ -54,31 +68,32 @@ test.describe('losing the connection', () => {
 	test('the opponent is told, and a return inside the window resumes the game', async ({
 		browser
 	}) => {
-		const { host, guest, close } = await pvpRoom(browser);
+		const { lead, second, seatOf, nameOf, close } = await pvpRoom(browser);
 
-		const used = new Set(await chainWords(host));
-		await playLegalMove(host, used);
-		await waitForMyTurn(guest);
+		// The player who drops is the one holding the turn, so what has to come
+		// back is a position somebody owes a move to.
+		const used = new Set(await chainWords(lead));
+		await playLegalMove(lead, used);
+		await waitForMyTurn(second);
 
-		const hostSyllable = (await board(host).syllable.textContent())?.trim() ?? '';
+		const syllable = (await board(lead).syllable.textContent())?.trim() ?? '';
 
 		// Navigating away takes the socket with it, which is what the server
 		// sees when a player loses their connection. The resume token lives in
 		// this tab's session storage, so coming back can reclaim the seat.
-		await guest.goto('about:blank');
+		await second.goto('about:blank');
 
-		await expect(host.getByTestId('away-p2')).toContainText('Lan mất kết nối', {
-			timeout: 20_000
-		});
+		const away = lead.getByTestId(`away-${seatOf(second)}`);
+		await expect(away).toContainText(`${nameOf(second)} mất kết nối`, { timeout: 20_000 });
 
 		// Back inside the grace window.
-		await guest.goto('/online');
+		await second.goto('/online');
 
-		// The seat is restored: the host stops waiting, and the returning player
-		// is looking at the same position rather than the lobby.
-		await expect(host.getByTestId('away-p2')).toHaveCount(0, { timeout: 20_000 });
-		await expect(board(guest).syllable).toHaveText(hostSyllable, { timeout: 20_000 });
-		await expect(board(guest).turn).toHaveText('Đến lượt bạn');
+		// The seat is restored: the other player stops waiting, and the one who
+		// returned is looking at the same position rather than the lobby.
+		await expect(away).toHaveCount(0, { timeout: 20_000 });
+		await expect(board(second).syllable).toHaveText(syllable, { timeout: 20_000 });
+		await expect(board(second).turn).toHaveText('Đến lượt bạn');
 
 		await close();
 	});