Monopoly Rules

How to Play Monopoly Board Game

Monopoly is a competitive real estate trading game where players buy, develop, and manage properties to bankrupt their opponents. It’s a mix of chance, negotiation, and investment strategy.

While many house rules exist, this guide covers the official Monopoly rules used in the classic version of the game.

Preparations

• Players: 2–8
• Game components:
  • Game board with 40 spaces
  • 32 houses, 12 hotels
  • 28 Property cards
  • 16 Chance cards and 16 Community Chest cards
  • Monopoly money
  • 2 six-sided dice
  • 8 tokens (player pieces)

Starting Money: Each player begins with $1,500 (official breakdown):

• 2 × $500
• 4 × $100
• 1 × $50
• 1 × $20
• 2 × $10
• 1 × $5
• 5 × $1

Setup:

• Place all tokens on GO.
• Choose one player as the Banker.
• Shuffle Chance and Community Chest decks separately and place face-down.

Gameplay

Players take turns rolling both dice and moving clockwise around the board.

• Unowned Property: Player may buy it at listed price. If declined, the property goes to auction (open to all players).
• Owned Property: Pay rent to the owner.
• Chance/Community Chest: Draw a card and follow its instructions.
• Doubles: Player takes another turn. Rolling 3 doubles in a row sends player to jail.

Monopoly Jail Rules

A player goes to jail by:

• Landing on “Go to Jail”
• Rolling 3 consecutive doubles
• Drawing a “Go to Jail” card

Players can leave jail by:

• Paying $50 before rolling
• Using a Get Out of Jail Free card
• Rolling doubles within 3 turns (then move normally)

If doubles are not rolled in 3 turns, the player must pay $50 and move.

Building and Developing Properties

• Once a player owns all properties in a color group, they may start building houses.
• Houses must be built evenly (one per property before adding a second, etc.).
• After 4 houses, a hotel may be built.
• Houses/hotels significantly increase rent.
• Buildings can be sold back to the bank for half their purchase price.

Mortgage Rules

• Properties can be mortgaged for cash.
• No rent is collected on mortgaged properties.
• To lift a mortgage: repay mortgage value + 10% interest.
• Buildings must be sold before mortgaging properties in a color group.

Bankruptcy

A player is bankrupt when they owe more than they can pay, even after mortgaging and selling assets.

• If debt is to another player → creditor gets all assets (except buildings, which return to the bank).
• If debt is to the bank → all assets return to the bank and are auctioned.

Winning the Game

• Game continues until only one player remains (all others bankrupt).
• For shorter games: set a time limit or use a point-based system (richest player wins).

Strategies and Tips

To master the game there are several good strategies you can use.

Prioritize full color sets

• Aim for a full set early, even if it means trading away more valuable single properties.

Don’t hoard cash

• Invest in upgrades when you can—especially on high-traffic zones like orange and red properties.

Jail becomes useful later

• Early game: slows progress.
• Late game: can protect you while others hit your developed zones.

Use trades strategically

• Negotiation is key. Trade smartly to complete sets, even if the other player benefits.

Monopoly Variants and Related Games

Since Monopoly is such a legendary and popular game, there are naturally several different versions to play. Here are the most common:

Monopoly Deal Rules (Card Game Version)

A fast-paced 15-minute card game version of Monopoly. Players collect property sets using action, rent, and money cards.

• Goal: Be the first to collect 3 full property sets.
• Action cards include Deal Breaker (steal a set), Just Say No, and rent multipliers.
• Plays 2–5 players; ideal for quick sessions or travel.

Monopoly Empire Rules

Players race to fill their tower with brand billboards instead of bankrupting opponents.

• Collect brands like Xbox, Coca-Cola, McDonald's.
• No houses or hotels—tower height determines value.
• Faster-paced, less strategic, more family-oriented.

Monopoly Cheaters Edition Rules

In this version, cheating is encouraged (if you don’t get caught).

• Board includes cheat cards (e.g., “steal money from the bank”).
• Getting caught means wearing plastic handcuffs.
• Designed to be chaotic and fun for casual game nights.

Monopoly Mega Edition Rules

A supersized version of the game:

• Larger board
• Additional properties + skyscrapers instead of hotels
• Speed Die to speed up play
• New Bus Tickets and Auction spaces

Supports quicker development but longer sessions overall.

Monopoly Junior Rules

A simplified version for kids ages 5+.

• Smaller board with fewer spaces
• Lower money denominations
• Kid-friendly properties (theme-park style)
• Faster and easier to learn the basics of Monopoly.

Common House Rules (Unofficial but popular)

Many households play with their own house rules. While not official, these are very common:

• Free Parking Jackpot: All fines go to the center; whoever lands on Free Parking collects the pot.
• No Auctions: If a player doesn’t want a property, it stays unpurchased.
• Double Salary on GO: Collect $400 for landing directly on GO.
• Unlimited Housing: Ignore the house limit in the bank.
• Deal-Making Loopholes: Some allow trades like property-for-favors or immunity deals (not official).

These rules often make the game more chaotic or forgiving, depending on the group.

Overview of the Game Rules

• Move by rolling 2 dice
• Buy or auction unowned properties
• Pay rent on owned properties
• Build houses/hotels after completing a color group
• Collect $200 each time you pass GO
• Go to jail via card, space, or rolling 3 doubles
• Mortgage/sell assets if short on cash
• Last player remaining wins