At the end of each episode, all contestants attend Pirates' Court to determine who will be eliminated. Prior to a court proceeding, the Captain distributes letters to the other contestants, three of which contain a black ink blot (called a "black spot"). The three contestants receiving black spots are nominated to be voted off and cannot take part in the voting process that follows; the captain and officers are not allowed to vote either.
In the final segment of each episode, all participants gather at Pirates' Court to decide who will be eliminated. Before the court session, the Captain distributes letters to the other contestants, three of which feature a black ink smudge (referred to as a "black spot"). The three contestants receiving these marks are precluded from participating in the voting that follows; neither the captain nor officers can vote.