Monopoly

LET'S PLAY

Monopoly is a classic real estate trading game where players buy, sell, and trade properties to build an empire. The goal? Bankrupt all your opponents by collecting rent, developing properties, and making smart deals. But beware—the wrong trades, a bad roll, or an unlucky card draw can send you straight to Jail! Whether you’re new to Monopoly or need a refresher, this guide will walk you through the rules, strategies, and key tips to master the game.

Object

The goal of Monopoly is to bankrupt all other players by strategically acquiring properties, collecting rent, and making deals. The last player remaining wins the game.

What You Need

2 to 8 players. The game is best with 3 to 5 players, as larger games can take significantly longer.
Game Board: 40 spaces, including 22 streets, 4 railroads, 2 utilities, and special spaces like Chance, Community Chest, Go, Jail, and Free Parking.
Property Deed Cards: One for each buyable space.
Bank Money: Distributed at the start and handled by the banker.
Player Tokens: Each player picks one.
Dice: Two six-sided dice.
Houses & Hotels: 32 houses and 12 hotels, which are limited.
Chance & Community Chest Cards: Follow the instructions when drawn.

Set Up

Each player selects a token and places it on Go.
A banker is chosen to manage the bank’s money, properties, and buildings. The banker can still play but must keep their funds separate.
Players start with $1,500, divided as follows:

2 × $500

2 × $100

2 × $50

6 × $20

5 × $10

5 × $5

5 × $1

Shuffle and place Chance & Community Chest cards facedown on their board spaces.
Houses, hotels, and all unowned properties remain with the bank until bought.

Game Play

Each turn follows three phases:

1. Roll & Move

Roll two dice and move forward the total spaces shown.

If you land on or pass Go, collect $200.
Rolling doubles lets you roll again—but rolling three doubles in a row sends you directly to Jail.

2. Resolve the Space You Land On

Depending on where you land, you must:

• Buy an Unowned Property (optional).

• Pay Rent if you land on an owned property.

• Draw a Chance or Community Chest card and follow its instructions.

• Pay taxes (Income Tax or Luxury Tax).

• Go to Jail if you land on the “Go to Jail” space.

• Take no action if you land on Free Parking (unless playing with house rules).

Note: if you land on an Unowned Property and decline to buy it, the Banker must then auction said Property to the highest bidder.

3. Upgrade Your Portfolio (optional)

You may:

• Build houses or hotels if you own a monopoly (all properties in a color set).

• Trade properties, money, or cards with other players.

• Mortgage properties for cash.

Buying & Owning Property

If you land on an unowned property, you may buy it at the listed price or decline.
If you decline, the bank must auction it, and all players can bid, including you.
Rent is owed when another player lands on your property (unless it’s mortgaged).
If you own a monopoly (all properties of a color set), rent doubles, even with no buildings.

Building Houses & Hotels

Houses cost money and must be built evenly across a monopoly before adding a second house to any property.
Once a property has four houses, you may upgrade to a hotel.
Limited supply: If the bank runs out of houses/hotels, you must wait for others to be sold back before purchasing.

Mortgaging & Trading

Properties with no buildings can be mortgaged to the bank for quick cash.
Mortgaged properties do not collect rent until the mortgage is repaid (with 10% interest).
Trading is allowed at any time, and players may exchange properties, cash, or Get Out of Jail Free cards.

Jail Rules

You go to Jail if you:

Land on “Go to Jail”.
Draw a “Go to Jail” card.
Roll three doubles in a row.

How to get out of Jail:

1. Pay $50 before rolling on your next turn.

2. Use a Get Out of Jail Free card.

3. Roll doubles (if successful, move and continue as normal).

4. If stuck for three turns, you must pay $50 and then roll normally.

Special Spaces & Cards

Chance & Community Chest:

Draw a card and follow the instructions.

Some may help (collect money, move spaces) or hurt (fines, Go to Jail).

Income Tax:

Pay either $200 or 10% of total net worth (properties & cash).

Luxury Tax:

Pay $100 to the bank.

Free Parking:

Officially does nothing, though many house rules add a jackpot.

Commonly Misunderstood Rules

Properties Must Be Auctioned – If a player declines to buy, the property must be auctioned.
Monopolies Double Rent – You don’t need houses to get double rent.
No Free Buildings – You can only build if you own the full color set.
Mortgaged Properties Earn No Rent – If a player lands on a mortgaged property, no rent is paid.
Even Building Rule – You must build houses evenly across properties in a set.
No Property Purchases in Jail – You can trade, but you cannot buy houses or hotels while in Jail.
Bank Can Run Out of Buildings – If no houses or hotels are available, you must wait for someone to sell theirs.
Rolling 3 Doubles in a Row = Jail – You do not move to the space, you go straight to Jail.
Landing on Go Collects Only $200 – No bonus money for landing exactly on Go.
You Cannot Sell Buildings to Other Players – You can only sell them back to the bank.

Final Thoughts

Monopoly is a ruthless game of strategy and negotiation. Smart trading and early property investment will often lead to victory. Avoid hoarding cash—invest in houses and monopolies as soon as possible to maximize rent income.

If you’re serious about winning, learn advanced strategies like the housing shortage tactic (buying all houses to prevent others from building) and forcing auctions to drain opponents’ cash.

Watch the step by step guide here!