joshi tm: I would think that the second player has the advantage, because he can pick his first square so that he can block the other player, but is never blocked himself. However, white has won almost 60% of the games, so that suggests that it is not so. Unless most of the players do not realize the importance of that and pick the "wrong" color for their first square, probably because it is worth more points.

troydaniels: The majority people don't think that far in advance. Myself, if I'm starting as white - I will first look at the most likely spot my opponent will start (usually highest point square) - and the myself will make sure to pick the same color that they will most likely start on. Most of the time I predicted correctly and allows me to block later in the game.