How To Play: Pirates!

Ahoy, mateys! If you ever wanted to yell “Arrr!” while outsmarting your friends at the table, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I share an outline of the game rules as well as the best strategies for winning Pirates! After way too many snack-fueled play sessions, I’ve found tips that actually work. Ready to find out How To Play pirates!?

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 5 Pirate Ship Tokens
• 50 Gold Coins
• 30 Treasure Cards
• 10 Event Cards
• 15 Crew Member Tokens
• 5 Player Reference Cards
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Six-sided Die

How To Play Pirates!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the game board in the center. Try not to knock over your friend’s drink while doing this—trust me, it happens.
2. Give each player a pirate ship, matching crew tokens, and a player board. Make sure your ship points north. Or whatever direction the cat isn’t sleeping.
3. Shuffle the treasure cards and deal two to each player. Place the rest face down as a draw pile, right next to your hopes of not capsizing in round one.
4. Scatter gold coins and random loot tokens on marked spaces across the map.
5. Pick a starting player with the best pirate voice. Arrr matey, the louder the better!

Gameplay

1. Start your turn by rolling the movement die. Move your ship that many spaces. If you roll a one, blame the tiny dice.
2. You can move onto islands, open sea, or right into enemy waters. Get ready for drama!
3. If you land on loot or gold, grab them! Shiny objects are your friend.
4. Bump into another pirate? Time for a duel! Both players roll their battle dice and the highest roll wins the loot—or their dignity.
5. Use special action cards to boost your moves or mess with others. It’s all fair game, so long as you yell “How To Play pirates!” at least once per hour.
6. After your turn, pass the dice to the next pirate and refill any empty loot spots.

Winning

1. The game ends when all the treasure cards are claimed or there’s nothing left to loot.
2. Each player adds up their gold, treasures, and bonus points from action cards.
3. Player with the highest score—plus at least one good pirate laugh—wins the game and the right to say, “How To Play pirates! like a legend.”

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If two players tie in a duel, they each do their best pirate accent until someone laughs. That person loses the tie (and probably their self-esteem).
2. Ships can’t share the same space except during duels. Don’t crowd or you’ll end up like me, on the floor after a particularly aggressive maneuver.
3. If you draw a cursed treasure card, make a silly face for the rest of your turn. My friends make me do this even if I’m not cursed.
4. Always shout “How To Play pirates!” before your first attack each game. It’s practically a rule at this point.

And there you go—grab your ship, pick your hat, and get ready for a game filled with treasures, betrayals, and very questionable pirate accents. Happy sailing!

Best Pirates! Strategies

Pick the Best Crew to Rule the Seas!

Know Your Crew’s Quirks

I learned quickly that not all pirates are made equal. While Captain Goldbeard may look cool, his ability to hack through storms saved my ship only once. Choose crew with skills that match your game plan or you’ll be swimming with the fishes.

Mix and Match Abilities

It’s not always about picking the strongest – variety helps! During one game, I chose only brawlers and lost three turns trying to solve a puzzle. Balance is key.

1. Pair a fighter with a navigator for fast, safe travel.
2. Add someone who helps in trading for more loot.
3. Choose a crew member who can heal others.

Adapt as You Go

Update your crew if someone keeps failing you. I once stubbornly kept Pegleg Pete for three games straight. Spoiler: Pete cost me each time! So, keep your eye on the prize and shuffle things around.

How To Play pirates! always comes down to who you put on your team. Never underestimate a sneaky cook or a fast runner!

Gold Rush: Mastering Treasure Hunting in Pirates!

Finding treasure sounds easy in Pirates!, but trust me, it’s more nerve-wracking than finding socks in my laundry. Let’s talk about how to outsmart your opponents and fill your ship with shiny loot. Here’s my battle-tested approach to set your treasure priorities straight.

Scout First, Grab Later

1. Explore corners early, since everyone races for the center.
2. Mark key spots, so your friends don’t beat you to them.

Prioritize Hidden Chests

1. Go for the most concealed treasures—it’s like hide-and-seek for pirates!
2. Let rivals fight over obvious loot and swoop in for the sneaky stuff.

Timing is Everything

1. Wait for others to battle before you snatch up unguarded rewards.
2. Save your best moves for a surprise grab that makes your crew cheer.

Remember to shout ‘How To Play pirates!’ whenever you nab a treasure, just to annoy your friends and boost your SEO—and loot!

Mastering Combat Tactics and Timing in Pirates!

When swords are out and cannons roar, timing matters. So, I’m sharing my best combat tricks from late-night chaos with my friends—plus, I’ll even shout ‘How To Play pirates!’ mid-battle for luck.

Pounce When They’re Weak

1. Wait for rivals to fight each other.
2. Jump in when both sides look tired.
3. Steal the loot while they argue!

Cunning Retreats

1. Sometimes run instead of fight.
2. Save resources for a bigger battle.

Surprise Attacks

1. Attack from behind obstacles.
2. Act friendly, then strike fast.

Set Sail For Pirate Glory!

If you made it this far, you’re ready to boss your next game night and show your friends how to play pirates! Remember, planning helps, but so does a good pirate accent and at least three dramatic threats of walking the plank. Whether your crew sinks or swims, it’s all about snatching shiny treasures and having a loud, ridiculous time. So grab your eye patch, trust your sea legs, and don’t let anyone else read this guide—you want all the pirate glory (and snacks) for yourself. Arrr, may your dice always roll high and your loot always glitter!

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