Monopoly
The ultimate game of financially crushing your family & friends is as much fun to play today as when it was first created in 1903. The editions have evolved, player 'characters' have changed (did you get a boat? a car? a dog?) but the essentials of Monopoly remain the same. Obtain as much property as you can and get rich when your opponents land on your property. It can be a merciless game, especially if you're bankrupting your children at Monopoly and having a fantastic time doing it! Just tell them it's a 'lesson in finances'.
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Read the rules for Monopoly
Who Invented Monopoly?
Monopoly was invented by Elizabeth Magie, described by Wikipedia as "an American game designer, writer and feminist". As Wikipedia explains: She invented The Landlord's Game, the precursor to Monopoly, to illustrate teachings of the progressive era economist Henry George. The game's concept was to demonstrate the dangers of monopolies and the benefits of wealth sharing.
When Was Monopoly Invented?
Lizzie Magie invented Monopoly (then called The Landlord's Game) way back in 1903 and patented it the following year. Monopoly began as a self-published game in 1906. The Parker Brothers bought the game's copyrights from Magie for $500. Hasbro acquired Parker Bros-and thus Monopoly-in 1991.
Fun Fact: There are several official Monopoly free-play online slot games like Monopoly Big Event, Millionaire, Heights, Mega Match, Grand Hotel, Big Spin MegaDrop, Lunar New Year On The Money and Monopoly Megaways, all created by Light & Wonder for demo and real-money play!
Fun Fact: There are several official Monopoly free-play online slot games like Monopoly Big Event, Millionaire, Heights, Mega Match, Grand Hotel, Big Spin MegaDrop, Lunar New Year On The Money and Monopoly Megaways, all created by Light & Wonder for demo and real-money play!
What is Monopoly?
Like many of the most popular retro board games, Monopoly is still dominantly played in its classic edition but there are a lot of themed-versions for fanatics who want a twist to the game. There are more than 200 different 'local' versions of Monopoly where the properties differ to the standard game, which can make the playing experience more enjoyable and familiar. It's also been converted to more than a hundred different countries around the world so anyone can 'feel at home', snapping up their own local landmarks and posh areas. If you're a part-time rocker, there's a Metallica edition of Monopoly!
Fun Fact: The dog, the car, and the top hat are the most-loved Monopoly tokens, but there have been more than 50 different tokens over the years (including a sack of money and a penguin!).
History of Monopoly
- Monopoly originated as "The Landlord's Game" in 1903, created by Lizzie Magie to highlight the dangers of monopolies.
- It evolved into Monopoly in the 1930s, when Charles Darrow sold the game to Parker Brothers (later Hasbro).
- Since then, Monopoly has become one of the best-selling board games of all time, available in over 100 countries and 37 languages.
How to Play Monopoly - Rules
- Move around the board by rolling two dice, landing on properties, utilities, or special spaces.
- Buy properties, collect rent, and build houses and hotels to bankrupt your opponents.
- Draw Chance or Community Chest cards for surprises (good and bad!).
- Negotiate, trade, and make deals to build monopolies and crush your friends and family financially (with a smile).
- Aim: Be the last player left not in bankruptcy!
- 2-8 players (though 3-5 is best for fun and speed).
How Do I Win at Monopoly?
Monopoly might appear completely dependent on lucky dice rolls but that's far from the case-your strategy will play a huge part in determining if you bust out early or win the game. Probably the best Monopoly advice we've seen (and it works!): your first couple of turns around the board are the most important. What you do or don't do on the opening two rounds will likely determine who is going to win, if just one player has a winning Monopoly strategy.
The advice is this: buy everything. Don't worry about the utilities or stations if you're low on cash (the utilities & stations rarely decide the winner). On your early trips around the Monopoly board, buy everything you land on-even if another player already owns another same-colour property. It might be the bargaining chip you need later to make a winning deal!
The advice is this: buy everything. Don't worry about the utilities or stations if you're low on cash (the utilities & stations rarely decide the winner). On your early trips around the Monopoly board, buy everything you land on-even if another player already owns another same-colour property. It might be the bargaining chip you need later to make a winning deal!
Classic Player Tokens
- Dog
- Car
- Top Hat
- Boot
- Thimble
- Battleship
- Cat (added in 2013!)
- Wheelbarrow
Themed Editions
- Monopoly Classic (UK/US)
- City editions (London, New York, Paris, etc.)
- Special editions: Star Wars, Metallica, Fortnite, The Simpsons, and hundreds more
- Junior, Electronic Banking, and Mega editions
- Rare collector's editions for nearly every fandom imaginable!
Monopoly Tips & Strategy
- Always buy the orange properties (Vine Street, Bow Street, Marlborough Street) - statistically the most landed on!
- Railways are a great steady income - buy them all if you can.
- Building three houses on your sets is the 'sweet spot' for crushing rent.
- Don't be afraid to make aggressive trades - but beware of helping someone else complete a set.
- Don't waste your money on utilities (unless you get both cheap).
- Keep some cash handy in case you land on Mayfair/Park Lane with a hotel!
- Have fun - and don't take family bankruptcies personally.
Retro Tip: Some of the world's longest Monopoly games have lasted over 70 days!
Why We Love Monopoly
Monopoly is more than just a game - it's a legendary battle of luck, cunning, negotiation, and family drama. Whether you're buying up Mayfair or haggling over the last railway, Monopoly guarantees hours of laughter, rivalry, and classic retro fun!