Monopoly

The fact is that most people don't play Monopoly by the correct rules, and that makes all the difference. The key to enjoying the game is the inter-player deals and politics. That's where all the fun lies, and much of the strategy. Any player can strike any kind of a deal with another player - want to trade all the purples and light blues for Boardwalk? No problem. Want to trick someone into trading a property you need for all your railroads? This is where the real enjoyment comes from. I encourage you not only to get the game and play it, but to read the rules and "get into" the game.

There are also some fun alternate rules you can use, such as collecting $400 (instead of $200) when you *land* directly on "go", or putting fine money (from chance cards, utility expenses, get out of jail money, etc.) in the center of the board and collecting it when you land on "free parking".

Don't overlook Monopoly as an outdated option. It's still one of the best games out there.


The most classic board game of all time   November 1, 2000
retrowens (Alabama, USA)
23 out of 26 found this review helpful

There's no doubt that Monopoly is the most popular and best known board game ever made. Everything about it is a true classic. Everything from just choosing what your character will be out of metal characters such as a cruise ship, a wheel barrow, a car, etc. to buying property and placing hotels on it in order to drain money from your opponents, is as classic as it gets.

Monopoly is definitely a game that anybody no matter how old they are can enjoy. It involves strategy, and even some luck, and it's a lot of fun. The only downfall is that sometimes it can take a long time to play a full game of Monopoly and that some people, especially kids, might get bored with it and want to quit. I recommend anybody who likes playing board games to get Monopoly more than any other board game ever made.


Monopoly, the King of Board Games   May 2, 2008
'MaryLou Cheatham (Louisiana)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

What did children do before they had 100 channels on their televisions, the latest I-Pods, cell phones, computer games, and door-to-door transporation? ANSWER: They played Monopoly! Having gone through my formative years in the 1950's, when we had two channels on a snowy black and white screen and the use of our aunt's eight-party telephone line, we learned how to have a good time with what we had. And we had a rip-roaring good time playing Monopoly, the king of board games.

We played it fast paced, and we developed many skills. We learned from interacting with each other in a nonthreatening environment, as we sat around a little square table. (Imagine a family sitting around a table and conversing for hours!) We learned how to handle imaginary money, count, add without paper or a calculator, make change, handle real estate, roll with the punches, lose gracefully, and win without too much bragging. We developed social skills and vented our frustations as we played Monopoly.

I'm glad I grew up with Monopoly, a social feast in a box. We wanted to play to the end of every game, but sometimes we had to go to bed or do our chores. At that time, we would cash in so we could declare a winner.

Monopoly is the perfect balance between luck and skill. It is great for young players and adults alike. Playing with children is a super way for parents to learn about their children and teach them.

There is one problem I have with the new Monopoly games: I loved the little wooden figures that we used. It does not seem the same without them.

We are on the verge of a renaissance of board games. Monopoly is a great game for starters.




A game for all seasons   September 9, 1999
15 out of 20 found this review helpful

If you have never played Monopoly, you don't know what you're missing. This simple set of properties and guidelines opens the door to a challenging world of buying, selling, psychology, and luck.

Although chance plays a large role (or perhaps I should say a large roll) in this game, clever strategies can often turn defeat into victory. I urge you to buy the game, gather a group of four players (three to five players is ideal in my opinion), and experiment with different rule variants until you find the one that really grabs you. Regardless of your "house rules," Monopoly is never the same game twice.

However, I really want to talk to those people who know the game from their childhood but no longer own it. In lieu of returning to Mom's attic, treat yourself to a new copy today -- you're worth it! I promise you, before you know what hit you, you'll be stacking piles of pretend money, lining up little houses, and trying to roll doubles. It is a great excuse to get together with friends, and the hours just seem to disappear until the game ends.

Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Instead, please buy Monopoly today, and let the good times roll!


A Real American Classic   February 5, 2002
Wendy A. B. Whipple (Chicago, IL USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

How can you not love Monopoly? Okay, a well-played game can take hours, but that was how my brother and I always managed to con babysitters into letting us stay up late when we were kids. We HAD to finish the game, after all! : ) You can even turn it in to an an educational game, learning about strategy and planning and saving money. But mostly it's just a fun American classic board game.