38. Review of the Game "Monopoly"

Monopoly – This is a classic. Monopoly has been around for over 100 years! Players buy and sell real estate, collect rents, build houses and hotels, collect $200 while passing go, and avoid jail time. Typically recommended for people 8 years and up lasting up to a few hours of play. Typically played with 2 to 8 players. Sure, monopoly certainly has it’s flaws but there are some good lessons learned from this classic game.

Financial lessons learned from this game are:
1. Always keep cash on hand
2. Be patient learning when to buy and when to pass on properties
3. Focus on cash flow – it’s all about collecting rent
4. The most expensive asset isn’t necessarily the best
5. Don’t put your eggs all in one basket.

Don’t want to spend all night? Additional rules to speed up the game… 

*Consider dealing out the properties at the beginning of the game.

*Players start off with an additional $1000 each.

*If a player rolls a 2 they get a bulls eye and get $500 from the bank. 

*Allow players to buy 1 house per property  per time around the board independent of owning a full monopoly. 

*Use the red speed die (comes with the 2007 with the newer version of Monopoly). Add the number on the die to your roll. If you roll a Mr. Monopoly the player has the option to buy the property landed on and the next property on the board. 

What do you think of Monopoly? Do you have any special or "family" rules you use? Leave a comment!