Your first session as a game master: a checklist

Running your first game is less about knowing every rule and more about being prepared to keep things moving. Here’s a checklist that works.

A week before

Hold a short session zero. Talk about what kind of game everyone wants: combat, mystery, roleplay, silly or serious. Agree on topics to avoid.
Make characters together. It’s quicker, players connect their backstories, and you can answer rules questions once.
Pick a short starter adventure. A published one-shot or a starter set adventure takes the pressure off writing your own.

Read the first part of the adventure twice. You only need to know what happens in the first hour or two.
Write down three NPC names. Players always ask for names. Our NPC generator gives you a few in seconds.
Prepare one fight and check its difficulty. Use the encounter calculator. For a first session, aim for Low or Moderate.
Have a backup scene. A tavern brawl, a mysterious stranger or a sudden storm can fill time if the players skip what you prepared.

Start with action. Begin in the middle of something interesting: an ambush, a chase, a mystery. Skip the shopping.
Say “yes, and…” more than “no”. If a player tries something creative, find a way it might work.
Look up rules later. Make a quick ruling and keep playing. You can check the book after the session.
Watch the energy. If people are checking their phones, end the scene and move on.
End on a cliffhanger. Stop at an exciting moment so everyone wants to come back.

Ask everyone one question: “What was your favourite moment?” Their answers will tell you what to give them more of next time.