Monopoly is one of the most well-loved and entertaining board games in the Philippines. Inspired by the world of business, the game Monopoly board is available in different variants that are playable offline or online. It involves property trading, collecting rents from opponents, and driving opponents to bankruptcy with Mr. Monopoly, Rich Uncle Pennybags running the show.
It’s a fun board game that’s now part of international pop culture that also introduces players to the complex world of Economics. In this guide, you’ll learn more about this title, its history, rules, and the many variants that make it a classic board game to play!
What is the Monopoly Board Game?
The game Monopoly is an economics-themed trading game conceptualized in 1903. American anti-monopolist Lizzie Magie designed a game that could explain Henry George’s single-tax theory. The first type of this renowned game introduced to the market was ‘The Landlord’s Game.’
Then, several versions of Monopoly titles became available. Before 1993, all titles were published by Parker Bros Inc company. In 1991, the Hasbro company acquired Parker Brothers and the brand. The acquisition of Hasbro led to the development of many other Mr. Monopoly versions.
The Monopoly board game originally consists of 40 spaces with 28 properties. It includes streets, railroads, utilities, Chances spaces, and Community Chest spaces. It also features four corner squares such as GO, Go to Jail, In Jail/Just Visiting, and Free Parking. With the release of new versions, the board layout changed as well. For example, the UK and post-2005 game boards are revised versions of the Hasbro design.
How to play Monopoly?
Your goal as a player is to be wealthy through renting, buying, selling properties, and forcing opponents into bankruptcy. This trading game starts with the banker throwing a dice. If you get the highest total, then you get the first move. When playing, there are a few concepts and rules that come into play.
- Go to Jail. When a player is sent to jail, he must move directly into jail and the turn ends.
- Chance / Community Chest. The Chance card is orange while the Community Chest is yellow. Instructions may include ‘Go Directly to Jail,’ ‘Get out of Jail Free,’ and ‘Advance to Go.’ Also, you may pay or receive money based on the instructions.
- Properties. As you move down the four corner squares of the Monopoly board, there is an option to buy a property and collect rent from it. You can see the price of the house as shown in the Title Deed card for the property. When it comes to selling, you can sell your properties, utilities, and railroads to other players as a private transaction.
- Mortgaging. If you have your property mortgaged, you must turn this property over to Mr. Monopoly. However, the new owner of the property must pay the interest on the loan to the Bank. This costs 10% of the property’s value.
- Bankruptcy. This happens when your debt is more than your capacity to pay the Bank or another player. You must turn over all that you have to your creditor. Bankrupt players are advised to retire. The last player left on the board is the winner.
Monopoly strategies + Playing Tips
Some say that it’s a game of chance. However, it’s best if you adopt strategies to play well with the board. As a start, buy and collect as many properties as possible. It’s also best to have a property on the different color-coded sections of the board. Be selective in choosing the property to buy, and always retain a reserve to play or pay the fines.
Monopoly board game versions
This board game boasts several versions online and in printed format. Before you shop and play, check out the popular variants you can enjoy right now.
Classic
In Monopolies, there are six playing pieces introduced following the acquisition of rights to the brand by the Parker Brothers company. The company introduced tokens around the board which include the boot, cannon, battleship, top hat, thimble, and iron. The earliest known classic game Monopoly in business is ‘The Landlord’s Game.’
Cheater’s Edition
As the name suggests, you need to cheat to get ahead fast of other players. In this property trading game, you need to catch other players cheating while you buy properties or collect rent. You need sneaky Chance and Community Chest cards and cheat cards to do this. These cards will tell you how to cheat whenever possible.
Monopoly Deal
The objective of the trading game is to collect three full property sets in different colors. You can collect properties or steal them from your opponents. You can use Action cards to swap cards, demand birthday money, charge rent, and more. Take note that other players can also steal it from you. In this game monopoly, you will encounter playing pieces around the board such as Rule Cards, Action Cards, Property Cards, Wildcards, Rent Cards, and Money cards.
Game of Thrones
Monopoly Game of Thrones is played by moving around the board and buying more properties. The more investments, the more rent you can collect from other players. When all your opponents have gone bankrupt, you win. You start by rolling the dice and moving the token in a clockwise direction. You need to carry out the rules around the board. Rolling the dice double three times would mean you immediately Go to Jail.
Other Versions
Other versions of the board game are also available. Each version offers varying levels of excitement to players. You can play the game, Mr. Monopoly, for Millennials, Monopoly Junior Electronic Banking, and Monopoly Marvel Avengers. You can also try Monopoly: Stranger Things, Ultimate Banking, Speed, Toy Story, and the game Monopoly Socialism.
Can I play online?
Yes. This board game is playable online using a desktop or mobile device. You can play it against other players or the computer. Here, you play the game using the same concepts and rules. Again, the throw of the dice decides who goes first or how many spaces a player must play during his turn. Again, the objective is to own and trade properties and be the last realtor standing at the end of the game.
Can I play Monopoly for real money?
Yes. You can play this for real money by registering an account with a trusted casino site using your desktop or mobile phone. There are several casinos in the market offering these games besides their usual game offerings. For example, Evolution Gaming has partnered with Hasbro to design a live dealer version of the popular board game. Today, some leading casinos feature the game Monopoly Live and the game Monopoly Millionaire which offers players a rich and immersive experience.
FAQ
Here are frequently asked questions about this popular board game:
Are Monopoly board Games worth any money?
In terms of traditional value yes, the classic board games are rare and fetch a high price in the open market. There are more than 300 rare Monopoly versions, including the 1991 Deluxe Anniversary White Border Edition which is worth less than $50, and the 2001 Nostalgia Edition which costs less than $30-$50. It’s lucrative, too, if you play the game online and in casinos.
Can I play the Board Game online?
Yes, this iconic trading game is available online. Simply download the app into your mobile phone or access games directly from your browser. The online version features the same rules and lets players buy houses, rent them, and watch their real estate empire expands.
Which is the best Monopoly game?
With hundreds of versions available, we can say that some versions are better than the rest. Some of the best games you can enjoy are ‘The OG: Monopoly Classic Game,’ ‘For the kids: Monopoly Junior,’ and ‘Winning is for Capitalists: Monopoly Socialism.’ The Monopoly Empire Game is also one of the best with extra twists on it.
Can you play Monopoly online for free?
Yes, you can play this for free. You can download the free mobile app to your smartphone and enjoy it anytime, anywhere.