I didn't quite phrase my concept correctly...
Wizkids should provide the gold for the monthly tourneys. It would be "standard" throughout the Wizkids system, but would be different from the "pack" gold. It would be recognizable as tourney gold in any Wizkids venue. It would come in a large bag o' gold, or they could even supply different gold each month if they wanted to limit that month's auction to only the gold won that month. That would take the not-so-good players out of the running though. I'd make the system so they could save up what little they earn each month and maybe be a competitive bidder every three or four months. Heck, I'd even make the monthly tourney gold plastic pieces of eight with a hole in them so folks could wear them as jewelry in between auctions! That should generate even more interest in the game.
I don't like the ante system as written in the packs, but I do think it has major potential for tourney use - if Wizkids provides the gold. I don't think any kids should be playing for keeps with their own gold.
ops32

I like that idea. It fixes any problems with the ante, and still keeps the incentive to win factor there.

I agree that having WK gold different than Player gold would seem to solve the ante difficulty. Of course, I wonder how long it would be before it was being sold on eBay (sigh)...

It would be about... a hour after the tournament ended before it was up on Ebay, maybe less, depending on how honest the Envoy is. I am talking to my venue about getting tokens that arcades use for tournament gold.

Howdo
How about a small chest of Gold Dabloons and peices of eight as a prize.

Thats what the game is about,Right.

Captain Blood UK

OK, the problem lies here: WK created Pirates as a Beer and Pretzels game. People clamoured for Tourneys so they adapted and changed rules to suit tourney play (which still has room for tweaking). So their ruling about ante was a throwback to the way kids used to play: I mean I remember playing with marbles (round glass beads) and it was for keeps. I think the creators of the game wanted something light and fun.

I also believe they made the game such that people would be encouraged to pop off crew and trade them with others if need be.

Granted losing gold coins can't be that fun for the loser. BUT having said that, gold is easy to come by. You get at least 15 to 20 gold if not more in each pack. Unique treasure isn't really playable unless you use 4 of them. In any case, only Rum and Plague are worth using.

My venue is playing it this way: All gold is tabulated on a sheet of paper. Opponent initials after each game. So does the Privateer. No gold is physically exchanged.

The gold is then exchanged at the end of the month for a prize (An El Fantasma bust in this case).

PLay them how you will but just play for FUN!