Only a true pirate understands this game. Firstly you must cheat as much as possible(it's one of the rules, just don't get caught). You should also try playing for points(5 to 10 for ships, 20 or 40 for the gold) in a 3 or 5 game championship of the high seas. You can also play for money(see cheating), penny a point. And if you don't like a rule make up a new one.

Also say Arr! a lot when you are winning, and Blast! when you are loosing.

Eric

P.S.

If you wear an eypatch you can blame an 'error' in movement on depth perception.

We bought this board game because of the Mensa award. Our family has regularly played it for the last six years. Only truly classic games have that kind of longevity in our home.

What we love about Pirateer is that it is easy to learn and a child can Whomp you without assistance. Yet it is challenging enough that it is by no means boring. So, just to preserve your self-respect, you have to become involved and pay attention. Our favorite combination is Nuketeer, Shipwreck and Flotilla.

Pirateer is a game created to spark the imagination. The more you can let yourself go, get silly and role play the part of an underhanded, black hearted scoundrel, the more fun the game is. I can't count the evenings filled with laughter it has brought to our family. To my way of thinking all these factors are what makes up a great family game.

In addition to what everyone has said thus far, I would like to add that I found this game rather dull with just two players. But then I played a four-player game and the game sprung to life. With four players the action was fast, furious, and unpredictable, and it was quite enjoyable. I would rate this game two stars for two players, but four stars for four-player games.

Loomis