Monopoly Game Strategy
Play Monopoly with a Plan
We've all got our favorite Monopoly playing strategies. If you've ever played Monopoly, you've probably gone for broke and spent nearly every last dollar to buy Boardwalk and Park Place. Or, maybe you've tried to make a move as a slumlord using a low cost strategy, buying Baltic and Mediterranean and hoping for the best as you move along the Monopoly board.
Here are some things to keep in mind that may help you in your next game:
a) More often than not, the Orange properties are your key to success. They are landed on frequently and building houses and hotels is affordable. These properties are often the centerpiece of a winning strategy.
b) The big ticket properties on the fourth side of the Monopoly game board are a drain on funds. With a small percentage of tokens landing on this side of the board, the dark green and dark blue properties will be a huge investment with infrequent payoffs. You'll have to be flush with cash to even consider using these as your central strategy. If you are flush with cash, though, it is fun to watch your opponent squirm as they round the corner toward the high rent district.
c) The most frequent number rolled on two dice is 7. The numbers closest to 7 are the next frequent numbers rolled. Use this knowledge to your advantage when deciding which properties on the board to build on. An example of this strategy: If an opponent is 7 spaces from your yellow monopoly, it may be worth it to add a house or two just before he rolls.
d) The railroads are very valuable to your Monopoly strategy early in the game. They provide consistent revenue as they are frequently hit. Do whatever you can to collect them - try trading for them early in the action - they can help you build a large development fund for future houses and hotels. The Reading Railroad is the most frequently landed on transportation property - the Chance card that sends you to take a ride on the Reading is a big influence.
e) Don't be afraid to mortgage. If it's late in the game and you've got several single properties with no hope of forming a monopoly, just flip 'em over and collect the cash. If mortgaging a few properties gives you enough money to improve an existing monopoly, it's often a good strategy to do it.
f) A good way to play Monopoly and really control the game is through hoarding houses. The rules of Monopoly state that players can only buy houses that are available in the bank. If you have several monopolies, you may choose to build four houses on each property instead of trading them in for hotels. It limits the pool of available houses for the other players. It will also likely make them mad at you, so unless you are very comfortable with the folks you are playing with, you may want to use this Monopoly strategy sparingly.
g) Don't be too helpful when it comes to paying rent. If you land on an opponent's property, the rules of Monopoly state it is the opponent's responsibility to collect the rent. If your brief stay at that property goes unnoticed by the time the next player rolls the dice, you are off the hook for the rent. Since many Monopoly games take hours to play and there are often distractions while playing, like food being served, various drinks being consumed, and music playing in the background, you'd be surprised how many free stays you can receive by just keeping quiet. Besides, why ruin your opponent's fun by bothering him with rent matters?
We'll add more strategy ideas as time permits...for now, have fun playing the game of Monopoly!
MonopShop.com - Pass Go. Collect $200.
To BidFinders Home Page