Combat question

[Torillan]

I just want to make sure that I understand something. Unfortunately I don't have my PHB in front of me, but here it goes:

In the "Combat" section of the PHB, there is a paragraph that includes something along the lines of: "In the first round of combat, until you can act in the order of initiative, you are considered flat-footed".
I do understand that Uncanny Dodge and so forth exempt you from this. So, to be clear, even if no side is suprised, all combatants are considered flat-footed until they can act?

 

[Hypersmurf]

That's right.

-Hyp.

 

[maddman75]

ALso, if there is a suprise round everyone is flatfooted who isn't suprised and is *still* flat footed until they can act. Having a rogue sneak up on you can be bad news, as they can attack in the suprise round and get sneak attack, then if they win initiative, they can get sneak attack again.