How To Play: Pirates!

Arr matey! If you’ve ever wanted to be the top dog on the high seas (without the risk of seasickness or scurvy), you’re in the right spot. In this guide, I’ll share a quick outline of the game rules, plus my tried-and-tested best strategies for leaving your buddies shipwrecked in envy. Get ready to learn How To Play pirates! and, maybe, win for once!

Overview

What’s in the box

1 Game board
6 Pirate ship miniatures
6 Player boards
60 Treasure cards
30 Event cards
36 Crew tokens
60 Gold coins
12 Dice
1 Rulebook
6 Captain pawns
18 Island tiles

How To Play Pirates!: Rules Summary

Setup

First, put the game board in the center of the table. Extra points for pirate sound effects at this stage.
Next, each player picks a ship and grabs a matching deck (no fighting over the coolest ship—okay, maybe a little).
Shuffle the treasure cards and place them face down. Don’t peek! Even if you think you can, the pirate code says no.
Set out the gold coins, event cards, and crew tokens. Make sure nobody is already pocketing the gold.
Decide who goes first. Whoever last watched a pirate movie gets my vote.

Gameplay

On your turn, move your ship according to your movement points. If you make “vroom vroom” noises, you play better. Science says so.
Land on islands or spaces to hunt for treasure, battle foes, or draw event cards. Always check for sea monsters. Every. Single. Time.
Fight other players to steal treasure or even their crew. Or make friends, but that rarely ends well in pirate games.
Spend gold to hire crew or fix your ship. Don’t spend it all in one place—unless it’s the floating tavern.
End your turn by drawing an event card. If it’s bad, blame the person to your left. That’s pirate tradition.

Winning

Collect a set amount of gold or treasures, as set at the start. If you forget what you’re playing to, just shout “Gold!” loudly.
Reach your home port with your loot, dodging enemies who will absolutely try to rob you.
The first player back with the goods wins. Everybody else tells tales of the time they almost became the Pirate King.

Special Rules & Conditions

If your ship sinks, you start over at your home port, minus some gold. Try not to mope, it happens to the best pirates.
Treasure maps can be found. Use them to unlock secret loot—just don’t let others see your map, or you’ll be followed for sure.
Storm cards send you flying across the board. Blame the weather, not your sailing skills.
Alliances can be made and broken. Every handshake in Pirates! is a little bit suspicious.

Now you know How To Play pirates! so you can crush your friends. Or at least annoy them by singing sea shanties the whole game. Either way—you win.

Best Pirates! Strategies

Master the Sea: Crew Selection and Synergies

Know Your Crew Strengths

Every pirate captain needs a trusty crew. Always look at the pirate skills. Some are great fighters, while others grab loot faster.

Choose strong fighters early to control battles.
Balance your team with fast movers for treasure runs.
Draft pirates with special abilities for surprise moves.

Build Powerful Combos

Teamwork wins games. Use pirates whose skills boost each other. For example, pair a lookout with someone who can board ships easily. This tip is gold in every How To Play pirates! strategy guide.

Match pirates who boost each other’s stats.
Use support crew with unique powers.
Watch for combos that let you break the rules a bit.

Adapt as the Game Changes

Don’t marry your first plan! When the wind changes (or your friend steals your best pirate), swap out crew and change tactics. Stay flexible and watch your friends panic.

Pirate Gold Rush: Mastering Treasure Routes!

Plan Ahead, Map Smart

The secret sauce to winning at How To Play pirates! lies in plotting your treasure path like a true captain. I once lost track and ended up at a sea monster party—trust me, plan your moves!

Mark the shortest routes on your map.
Use landmarks for safe navigation.
Always have a backup route in mind.

Timing is Everything

Act fast, but not reckless. One time my mate Steve got greedy, took the long way, and ended up empty-handed!

Prioritize chests closest to your ship first.
Collect treasure before rival pirates do.

Watch Out for Hazards

Swerving around obstacles keeps your crew happy and your loot safe. My parrot still squawks about the time we hit a trap!

Avoid known danger zones.
Use upgrades or special cards to bypass trouble.

Pirates! Combat Tactics and Timing for the Win

Pick Your Battles Wisely

Never just swing your cutlass at the first ship you spot. Instead, assess the threat and pick fights you can actually win. Here’s how I screwed up—once I attacked my buddy Dan while holding only a loaf of bread and a fake musket. It did not end well. For real success:

Check opponents’ gear
Attack those low on resources
Skip fights that waste your crew

Surprise and Timing

Stealth is key. Strike when your rival least expects it. This works way better than shouting, “Prepare to be boarded!” while tripping over the anchor chain.

Wait until their guard drops
Attack after a big storm
Coordinate with an ally (or pretend to!)

Keep Your Ship Ready

A tight ship means victory. Always fix up your boat before battle, or you’ll leak faster than my coffee mug.

Stock up on repairs
Upgrade cannons ASAP
Never ignore your crew

Mastering these tactics will take you closer to victory and make you the captain everyone fears. This is how to play pirates!—the fun way, and maybe with fewer bruised egos.

Final Thoughts On Sailing To Victory!

So there you have it – my best tips to win at Pirates! If you remember nothing else, just don’t try to swordfight with a monkey. Trust me, that lesson cost my crew two bandanas and a lot of dignity. Focus on your treasure route, pick your crew wisely, and always time your attacks. Follow this How To Play pirates! guide, and maybe you won’t end up swabbing the deck. May your dice roll high and your parrot stay quiet!

Want to know what we think of Pirates!? Read our detailed review of Pirates! here