Monopoly is a classic board game, loved by people of all ages, but it's not easy to learn! The rules are complicated and many families use variations that are not present in the official manual. By learning how to set up the board, how to play by the official rules and how to finish the game in a reasonable time, you will be able to love this game!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up the Game
Step 1. Find 2-8 players
You can play Monopoly with a minimum of 2 players and a maximum of 8. Each type of game has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to know them before deciding how many people to involve.
- 2-player games are not recommended due to the nature and mechanics of the game. In the beginning, the players will be tied and the game will last a long time. When either player gets lucky or makes an exceptional move, they will usually win the game without the opponent having a chance to catch up. However, don't be put off by this advice if you only have one friend to play with, you can still have a lot of fun.
- Matches with 3-5 people are best because they represent the perfect balance of fun and balance. Matches can last more than 2 hours if the players are at the same level and when someone takes the lead, the opponents have plenty of opportunities to turn the tables.
- Games with 6-8 people are fun, but they have some disadvantages. Since only one player can win, there will be more losers. Also, you will have to wait longer between turns; it's not a big deal though, because in Monopoly you'll often have things to do even when it's not your turn.
- Monopoly is intended for players of at least 8 years old. Younger children may not have fun and lose because the game requires strategy to win. It is recommended to help young and inexperienced players by giving them advice and by adopting a cooperative style of play.
Step 2. Choose a banker
This player will take care of the money exchanges, houses, properties and hotels that still belong to the bank. The banker can play actively, but he must be careful to separate his own money from the bank's. If you prefer, the banker can place the box in a spot that everyone can reach, so that the players take care of the money, houses and property themselves, as long as they do so only when they are allowed to.
Step 3. Prepare the board
Open the game board and place it on a flat surface. Make sure all players have enough space to keep their money and property deeds in front of them. You should also place the "Probability" and "Unexpected" cards on the board in the appropriate spaces in the center.
Step 4. Choose a pawn
Each player has a pawn to move on the board. The game already offers a lot of them, but you can play with any small object. The choice does not matter, because all the pieces are the same.
Step 5. Distribute € 1500 to each player
Before the start of the game, the banker assigns everyone the starting capital, which should amount to € 1500. Most players prefer to line up their money in front of them in stacks of different denominations, but you can keep them however you like as long as they are clearly visible to everyone. You can also choose to receive the start-up capital in different denominations than those recommended in the manual. For example, you can exchange a $ 500 note with the bank for $ 100.
- American version | European version
- 2 $500 | 2 500 €
- 2 $100 | 4 100 €
- 2 $50 | 1 50 €
- 6 $20 | 1 20 €
- 5 $10 | 2 10 €
- 5 $5 | 1 5 €
- 5 $1 | 5 1 €
Step 6. Roll the die to decide who will start the game
Whoever rolls the highest score plays first and turns continue clockwise. You can use two dice or just one for this roll, depending on your preference. A quicker alternative is to get the younger or more inexperienced player to start. In this case you will not have to roll the dice and will give that player a small advantage. After the first turn, it's up to the person to the left of the initiator, clockwise.
Part 2 of 3: Play
Step 1. Roll the die and move your piece
On their turn, each player rolls the die and moves their pawn according to the result obtained. If you make a double, you can take another turn immediately after the first one.
Step 2. Look at the box you landed on
There are many different boxes in Monopoly. There are many properties that you can buy or have to pay rent on, while some require you to draw a card, withdraw money, or even go to jail.
Step 3. Buy a free property when you finish in the corresponding box
If you are the first player to end your move in a square with a colored stripe at the top, on a railroad or company, you can purchase the property for the amount printed on the board. The banker will give you the title deed. Many players recommend buying as many properties as you happen to be on, otherwise your opponents will have the option to buy them at a lower price.
Step 4. Auction all properties that are not bought right away
If you finish your shift on a vacant property but decide not to buy it, it is auctioned off to the highest bidder. This rule is part of the official rules, but many ignore it in their games.
When a player who finishes his turn on a vacant property decides not to buy it, the banker immediately puts it up for auction. The player who did not purchase can also participate. Bids start at € 1 and stop when none of the attendees raise their last bid. If no one wants the property, it goes back to the bank and play resumes normally
Step 5. Collect the rent
If you run out of movement on another player's property, you must pay him the rent listed on the title deed (if he has not mortgaged it). Rents vary based on the value of the property, the number of buildings built and double if the player has completed the monopoly (acquired all properties of one color).
Step 6. Buy all the properties of a color to have a monopoly
This is one of the main objectives of the game; you can easily bankrupt your opponents with a monopoly. You will be able to take double rent from the properties of the color that you have completed and on which you have not built buildings. This rule mimics monopolies in the real economy, in which companies that do not have competition are no longer forced to lower prices in order to be competitive.
Step 7. Build houses on your monopoly
If you have a monopoly, you can start building houses on those properties to collect more rent. You can find the construction prices on the title deed. You can create up to 4 houses on each property.
- Homes drive up the rent on your properties a lot. For example, the first property on the board, Vicolo Stretto, has a rent of € 2 without buildings. With 4 houses, the rent rises to € 160.
- You have to build the houses evenly; you can't have two on one monopoly property and zero on the others. If you decide to put a house on one property, you won't be able to build the second one until the other monopoly properties have a home as well.
Step 8. Build a hotel when you have 4 houses
The most profitable building you can build on your properties is the hotel. Once you have 4 houses on each property, you can purchase a hotel from the bank to replace them with. The hotel equates to approximately 5 houses, allowing you to exceed the limit of 4 houses per property. However, in some cases it may be convenient not to give up the houses instead of building the hotel, so that other players no longer have buildings available.
Step 9. Collect € 200 when you pass the Via
Whenever a player finishes his move or passes the "Street" box in the corner of the board, he can collect € 200 from the bank. This is a great way to strengthen your capital!
According to the official rules, you only get € 200 when you pass the Via, but many players offer a bigger prize for finishing their turn exactly on that square. You should avoid this variant, as it can make games last too long
Step 10. Take a "Chance" or "Contingency" card
If you end your turn on an "Unexpected" or "Probability" space, take the top card of the corresponding deck. These cards have effects that can make you make or lose money, move around the board, or even send you to jail. You will also find the famous "Get out of jail free" card. When you have finished reading the card you drew, return it to the bottom of the corresponding deck.
Step 11. Go to jail
When you are in prison, you cannot move around the board until you are released. However, you can still collect rents, buy homes, participate in auctions, and trade with other players. There are three ways to get behind bars:
- The most common way to go to jail is to finish your turn on the "Go to jail" space. In this case the player is moved diagonally across the board without going through the Via and his turn ends immediately.
- If you draw a "Chance" or "Unexpected" card that sends you to jail, your turn ends immediately and you must immediately move your token to jail without going through the Way.
- Even if you throw three consecutive doubles in the same turn, you end up in jail straight away. Put your token in jail as soon as you roll the third double.
- If you finish your turn in the prison square with a normal roll, you must put your token in the "Visits Only" section of the square. You have no limitations and can play the next round normally.
- You can get out of jail by paying the $ 50 bail, using a "Get out of jail free" card or by rolling a double. If you manage to roll a double, you can immediately move your piece based on the result of the roll, but you are not entitled to an additional turn. After three rounds you have to get out of jail and immediately pay the € 50 if you don't get a double with the roll of the dice.
Step 12. Trade with other players
Negotiations are an integral part of Monopoly's strategy. Often times, it will be through exchanges that you will be able to gain a monopoly and build houses and hotels. Many people use variants that allow you to grant immunity from rent to another player, exchange money with opponents, or take a loan from the bank without mortgaging property.
Do not include rule variations during your first game, as you will end up having less fun and lengthening the duration
Part 3 of 3: Ending the Game
Step 1. Set a time limit for declaring the winner (optional)
If you want the game to go faster, try setting a timer for 1 or 2 hours. When time runs out, all players count their money, the value of all non-mortgaged properties, half the value of all mortgaged properties, and the value of all homes and hotels. The richest player wins the game!
If you decide to play with a time limit, the players' strategy varies slightly. In a normal game of Monopoly, even those who start badly and those who become very poor in the early rounds can win. For this reason, you can democratically decide to declare the player who made the best choices rather than the richest one the winner
Step 2. DO NOT provide prizes for players who finish their round on the "Free Parking"
Many people adopt variations that increase the amount of money in the game. Instead of putting money for taxes or other payments in the bank, they leave it in the center of the board and assign it to whoever happens to be on the "Free Parking". While it's fun to win a lot of money, this rule makes games last a lot longer! A Monopoly match should only last about two hours.
Step 3. Mortgage the properties
If you can't pay the rent when you end up on a property, you can mortgage one of your own. You can also do this to buy new properties, houses or hotels. Once you have mortgaged a property, you will not be able to collect its rent. To take out the mortgage, you have to pay 10% interest. In the case of decimals, always round up.
Mortgages have benefits and consequences. You should only mortgage properties to avoid bankruptcy or to raise the necessary funds to buy other properties or trade. You can also sell the mortgaged properties to your opponents, putting the burden on them of canceling the mortgage if they want to collect the rent. 10% interest expense is much better than losing 50% of value when you sell a home
Step 4. Go bankrupt
If you owe a player more money than you have, even considering the value of your properties, you must file for bankruptcy and lose the game. In the official rules, all your capital and properties pass to the player who bankrupted you, after selling all the buildings. However, this often further improves the position of the player who is already winning. When someone goes bankrupt, it is advisable to auction off their properties so that the rest of the game is more balanced.
Advice
- Don't be afraid to leave the game if you are losing and have no chance of catching up. You will have more time to think about the next game.
- Do not use variations on the rules the first time you play. You would usually have less fun.
- Many versions of Monopoly change the graphics of the game but not the rules. Make sure the version you are using follows the official rules. Do not include advanced variations such as the speed nut.
- In the Monopoly box you will find a quick guide to the rules. Keep it handy, so you don't forget them!
- If you still have doubts about how to play, ask a friend about it or watch a game to understand how the game works.
- It may be helpful to learn a few strategies before playing, but don't get confused or spoil the fun.
- If the game lasts longer than expected, you can take a break and resume it later.
- If you forget a rule or make a mistake, don't worry and keep playing by putting the rule back.
- You can recreate the tokens with pen and paper if you lose or break one.
