Monopoly Game Variations
Play Monopoly The Way You Like!
It's probably true that most people don't play Monopoly by the published rules. It seems that every family or group that plays has rule variations they incorporate that make the game a little more fun.
Here are some we like to use:
a) Inflation Game - Many people think this is the way the Monopoly game is supposed to be played. Whenever a player has to pay the bank money from one of the Chance or Community Chest cards or a board space (like Income Tax), the money goes in the middle of the board. The next luck soul who lands on the Free Parking Space gets all the loot. The game starts with $200 seed money in the middle. We also like to get more money in the game by doubling the cash payout for landing directly on the Go space to $400. This makes for long games and ridiculous amounts of money floating around. You may have to convert some of the $1 bills to $1,000 or buy some additional Monopoly capital, but it's a great feeling to come out on top of a marathon Inflation game.
b) No Rights For Jailbirds - We don't like the way some people use jail as a safe haven late in the game. To combat this, we suggest that no one in jail can collect rent. This will keep players moving around the Monopoly game board, especially if they have developed properties.
c) Allow Insurance - As an opponent is approaching your row of hotels, if you think the odds are in your favor, offer to sell insurance for a couple hundred dollars. You get paid before the roll - if you property is hit, they get off the hook for that turn. Use your knowledge of the most common numbers rolled with two dice to make smart insurance bets - remember that the numbers closest to 7 come up the most.
d) Allow Anything In Deals - Let the player do whatever they want in executing trade deals. Let them offer free rent for the next three turns or as long as you own the property you just obtained from them. The real fun of Monopoly is the deal, so let your Monopoly play be limited only by your imagination.
e) Alter the Landscape - We've heard of people using two Monopoly boards joined at one corner forming a figure eight. If the player lands on the intersecting corner, he or she has the option to continue on either board. We haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds like a blast! To really mix it up, try using two different Monopoly board variations, like a pink Boutique Monopoly board with a Las Vegas themed board.
These are some quick ideas - you'll find other great Monopoly variations in our store, with the advent of Mega Monopoly, Monopoly Dice, Electronic Banking Monopoly, and other modern approaches.
Poll Results: A January 2008 poll of Yahoo users asked for their favorite version of the Monopoly game. Fifty percent chose the traditional Monopoly board with other votes for Simpsons Monopoly, Pink Boutique Monopoly, Nintendo Monopoly, and Monopoly Here and Now.
Regardless of your favorite, above all, have fun playing Monopoly!
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