diff --git a/lobby/lobby.go b/lobby/lobby.go
index e352676..7fe5f4b 100644
--- a/lobby/lobby.go
+++ b/lobby/lobby.go
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@ package lobby
 import (
 	"sync"
 
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+
 	"git.sunturtle.xyz/studio/shotgun/game"
+	"git.sunturtle.xyz/studio/shotgun/player"
 	"git.sunturtle.xyz/studio/shotgun/serve"
 )
 
@@ -29,6 +32,18 @@ func (l *Lobby) Game(id GameID) *game.Game {
 	return l.games[id]
 }
 
+// Start begins a new game in the lobby.
+// The caller must be able to distinguish the dealer's and challenger's conns
+// in order to provide correct game start DTOs to each.
+func (l *Lobby) Start(dealer, challenger player.ID) GameID {
+	id := uuid.New()
+	g := game.New(dealer, challenger)
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	l.games[id] = g
+	return id
+}
+
 // Finish removes a game from the lobby.
 func (l *Lobby) Finish(id GameID) {
 	l.mu.Lock()