Methods and systems for implementing client selection in a distributed strict queue are disclosed. A plurality of messages are distributed to a plurality of queue servers based on strict order parameters for the messages. Messages that share a value for the strict order parameter are distributed to the same queue server. The messages are enqueued at the queue servers. Messages that share a value for the strict order parameter are enqueued in a strict order based on the time of receipt at the queue server. One or more queue clients are selected to process the enqueued messages. The queue clients are selected based on their message processing capability along with the message processing throughput for values for the strict order parameter.