Board Game Rules: Monopoly
Getting ready for a family game of Monopoly and realize that the rules have gone missing? Are your opponents making up their own game rules as they go along? No problem, keep the peace at the gaming table and check out our quick rules. We’ve included some suggestions on moving the game along and adding to the fun.
Object of Monopoly:
Become the wealthiest player on the board by buying, selling and renting property. With a little luck from the dice, you will rule the board.
Game Options to Consider:
There are a couple of things you can do to maintain tranquility during the game:
• Ask an older child to assume responsibility for the property cards. Younger children will take great pride in distributing the houses and hotels.
• Consider having the older kids read the Community Chest and Chance cards for the younger players.
• Round rental costs up or down to the nearest $5. It speeds up the game and also helps kids do a little math on the fly.
• Any payments owed to the bank from the Community Chest or Chance cards can be set aside as “parking money”. The next person to land on “Free Parking” wins the pot. While this is not part of the official game rules, it is loads of fun for the kids.
Contents of Monopoly:
Your Monopoly board game should consist of the board, 8 Monopoly tokens, 2 dice, 32 houses, 12 hotels, both Chance and Community Chest cards, property cards, Monopoly play money, and the monopoly rules and instruction booklet.
Game Preparation: One player will serve as the banker and will hand out the following denominations of money: 2 - $500 bills, 2 - $100 bills, 2 - $50 bills, 6 - $20 bills, 5 - $10 bills, 5 - $5 bills and 5 - $1 bills. This should be a total of $1500 per player. Each players selects a token and places it on “GO.” Chance and Community Chest Cards are placed face down in their allotted locations on the board. The banker will make all financial transactions throughout the game.
Game Play: The official monopoly board game rules states that starting with the banker, each player takes turns tossing the dice. The highest rolling player begins and game play continues to his/her left. Rolling doubles results in another turn. Three doubles in a row will land you immediately in Jail. Each time a player passes “GO” he/she receives $200 from the banker.
Rules of buying property: If you land on an unowned space, the player may buy it at the listed price. If you do not want to buy the property, the banker holds an auction and the property is sold to the highest bidder. Rent is charged to anyone who lands on another’s property as listed per deed. If a player owns all properties of the same color, then double rent can be charged on unimproved properties. The owner must ask for the rent before the next player rolls the dice. Once a player has collected all properties in a color group, he/she can purchase houses to enhance the property. Houses must be built evenly on all 3 or 2 properties and hotels can only be bought after four houses have been built. One hotel takes the place of 4 houses. Deeds provide instructions on house and hotel costs.
Unimproved properties can be mortgaged to the bank at any time. Any buildings on the properties must be sold back to the bank at half price. (we know, this one hurts!). Once the property is mortgaged, no rent can be collected. To pay off the mortgage, the player must pay the bank the property’s face value plus 10% interest.
When a player lands on a Chance or Community Chest space, the top card is taken, directions are followed and the card is returned to the bottom of the pile. “Get out of Jail” cards can be kept or sold until used.
Jail rules: One must be sent there by a card, roll 3 doubles or land on the “Go to Jail” space. Players cannot collect $200 and their turn ends. The Monopoly player has 2 options — roll doubles to get out of jail or pay $50. If the player is still in jail on the third turn, he/she must pay $50 to be released. While in jail, players can still buy/sell houses or hotels and collect rent.
When a player can no longer pay off debts to the bank or other players, he/she declares bankruptcy and is out of the game.
