Are you sick and tired of losing a game of Monopoly while your friend laughs in triumph? You may be playing the game wrong. Since I really like Monopoly, I figured I’d share a few tips that (sometimes) pay off. Maybe with my advice you can be the one laughing in triumph as your opponents moan in their post-bankruptcy misery.
Tip 1: Acquire all four railroads
These properties are gold mines, especially if you can get all four. Rent on a railroad monopoly is $200, and with all four in your possession, players are always in range. Even if you only have one or two, the extra cash still comes in handy. However, with a Monopoly, you will be raking in the dough, especially if there are a lot of people playing. Plus, there’s a Chance card that reads: “Advance token to the nearest Railroad and pay owner twice the rental to which he/she is otherwise entitled”. That’s a potential haul of $400! You will become nearly invincible with a railroad Monopoly (as long as there are more than two people remaining unless you have other monopolies), as you’ll be really rich. You’ll be able to pay the rent on most properties with hotels on them with ease.
Tip 2: Buy buy buy!
Buy as many properties as you can! You don’t want to limit yourself when it comes to trading; you need to have a lot to offer so you can negotiate from strength. Remember, with trading, you want to benefit more than your opponent. Sure, you will drain your funds quickly, but the GO space and Free Parking (if in play) are there to help replenish some of that money. Besides, if you do this right, you’ll make the money back. I also recommend over-bidding at auctions if you have to. You don’t want your opponent to acquire a monopoly, so be willing to shell out some extra cash to prevent that from happening.
Tip 2A
You can also attempt to make your opponent drastically overpay on a property he or she really wants, but this is risky, and you could end up spending a lot of money on a property that is of little use to you.
Tip 3: Don’t go crazy trying to acquire the dark blue properties
Traditionally Park Place and Boardwalk. While rent from hotels on each one is $1500 and $2000, respectively, it’s very rare that people actually land there. It’s also very expensive to build up to that level. Sure, it’s likely instant bankruptcy for anyone unfortunate enough to land there, but you could easily be felled as well if you invest your fortune in this venture and then end up owing someone else high amounts of cash.
Tip 4: Cause a housing shortage
This will make it more difficult for players to improve on their monopolies and thus hinder their efforts at bankrupting you. This is especially effective if you play with the Even Build Rule, as it is likely that players won’t have enough money to buy multiple hotels per color group. The difference in rent between four houses and a hotel is rather small, and besides, owning a lot of hotels is risky, as there are two cards that make you pay $100 or more for each one you own. This could very well bankrupt you or at least cause you to downsize if you do not have the money to pay.
Tip 5: Learn the art of the deal
Chances are you’re going to have to so some wheeling and dealing in order to acquire monopolies. Don’t get ripped off when trading. Generally you don’t want to give another player a monopoly unless you get one, too. Ask for money if your opponent has a lot. You’ll need it to buy houses, and you want to prevent them from doing the same. They won’t let you clean them out, but if you could get anywhere from $200-600 from them you’ll be in good shape. You should definitely ask for money if the properties you are receiving are of lesser value. It’s also a good idea to include other properties in the deal, as another opponent may want the ones you’re receiving, and it’s in your interest to negotiate with them (or simply refuse to trade the properties). This could cost you some extra money, but it’ll help you last longer and possibly win.
Tip 5A
If you are the one giving money, try and negotiate down the amount or try and get some more properties out of the deal. Even if they’re just utilities, at least you’re getting more bang for your buck.
While there is no proven formula for success, these tips have worked before, and can help you on your way to victory. Be mindful, though, that luck does play a role. You never know what Chance and Community Chess may hold, and there are those pesky tax and Go-to-Jail spaces that can throw off your game. Still, these tactics and strategies will make you a competitive player, and will increase your odds of winning.
