My GAWD - How Many Monopoly Board Games Are There?

Over the years, Monopoly games have become popular across the world for its innovative ideas and fun thematic games. However, some things have remained the same. The names of streets and places some times have changed. Railroads and real estate remind you of the 1930s.

The Game

Monopoly is a somewhat simple and straight forward game and rated for 8 years and up. Depending on how you grew up, however the rules are often subject to dispute. The aim of the game is for the players to "buy" as much property as they can. A dice is used for moving forward. As the players keep moving, they try to buy property that will enable them to earn more money by charging rent from other players who come to rest on your property. The winner is declared when everybody else has run through his or her money. Ha Ha what fun that is....crushing your friends...and family.

Playing Monopoly requires patience. It is not a quick game. Property prices take time to accumulate, and so the game can last for hours. Not a nice thing if you prefer pastimes that are more "lively". However, on a lazy Sunday afternoon with the entire family, there can be no better amusement.

Launched right after the big depression one can image why Monopoly captured the imagination of the Americans when it was launched in 1935. Since then, the game has come a long way. Today, the simple board game even has a virtual avatar, with animated graphics, boards and pieces. However, the mystique of the humble Monopoly board has remained the same, entertaining generations of people on lazy Sunday afternoons. Monopoly contests and tournaments are used for raising funds for charities. The game is loved in over 25 countries across the world, and Hasbro Inc. licenses it.

Read a Monopoly Rules History here.

So do you remember the basics of the game? Lets go through some of the basic rules. This is where the argument begin, but really they are printed on the inside of the lid of the game. No matter what your older siblings tried to tell you.

The Objective

Your ultimate goal to make every other player bankrupt. The last one standing is declared the winner of the game. Unlike what most people believe, you aim is not to earn the most wealth. You could have just a few dollars and still be the winner if you can outlast everyone else.

Monopoly Game Pieces

1. Game board
2. A Pair of dice
3. Printed money
4. Chance and Community Chest
5. Tokens

Monopoly Money Counts
Before you start the game, give each player:

1. 2 coupons of $500, $100 and $50.
2. 6 coupons of $20
3. 5 coupons of $10, $5 and $1

Monopoly Iconic Tokens
Ask each player to choose a token that he or she moves around the board as they roll the dice. New versions of the game have more than just a shoe and a dog and thimble.

Role Of Banker

Appoint a player or an outsider as the Banker. The banker's individual funds are not merged with what she is authorized to lend. (or at least you hope that does not happen)

Purchasing Property

Once the players start rolling the dice, they land on properties. If the property has not already been purchased, the player may buy it and pay the money to the bank. In case the player has no intention of buying it, the banker will auction is and hand it over to the highest bidder.

Rent

If the player rolls the dice and lands on property purchased by someone else, he or she must pay rent to the owner. If the player lands on mortgaged property, he does not have to pay rent.

Jail

If you land on the "Go to Jail" square or get a card marked "Go to Jail" from the Chance and Community Chest, then you will be jailed. You cannot earn anything during the period. In order to get out of Jail, you need to roll doubles, for which you are given three chances. Alternatively, you can purchase a "Get Out of Jail" card another player might have won from the "Chance And Community Chest".

Understanding the rules properly makes it easier to win the game. Keep the printed rule sheet in front of you when playing the game so you can refer to it whenever you want to. Have a great game!