How do you win at the popular, timeless, Parker Brothers game “Monopoly”? There is no guaranteed way, but there are some keen tactics and strategies that you should always remember in the game. Like, what properties are worth the most, and what properties aren’t worth a thing? What’s a good trade? Are the Railroads the best on the board? Let’s dive right on in.
Part 1 – Which properties do I want?
There are a few sets on the board that are really worth your money. These properties are always the closest to the end of the side on the board. The light blue set (Oriental, Connecticut, Vermont) is an example here. Why are these more valuable than the set before them?
The houses and hotels cost the same amount, but you get more rent for them. Meaning, if you spend $1500 to furnish St James Place, New York Ave., and Tennessee Ave., you’ll wind up more on top than if you had spent the same amount on St. Charles Place, States Ave., and Virginia Ave.
The best of these sets, for starters is definitely the orange set. They only cost $100 each house, and you’ll quickly regain that investment, as they get landed on quite often.
The Utilities are worthless. As rental property at any rate. The most you can get out of them is $120 and that won’t cut it at the end of the game. They do hold the value of mortgage and trade though. If you can trade them off to get you a different set, you should do that. (Even Baltic Ave., and Mediterranean Ave. are worth more with hotels)
Part 2 – What’s a good trade?
This vary’s from game to game, and can’t be fully explained here. The rule of thumb is: Get sets! Get people to trade you in to a set, without giving them an advantage over you. Always try to get the better set, but a bad set is 10 to 100 times better than none at all.
Trading off Utilities is a good idea. I’ve already said this before, but the Utilities won’t get you very far in the game. Don’t undervalue them, but don’t put them above any other set.
Railroads are a good bunch to have at the beginning of the game. If you have them all, you get $200 each time they’re landed on. Reading Railroad has an advance to, and that makes them worth all the more.
Bonus Strategy: Boardwalk and Park Place.
If you should so happen to get Boardwalk and Park Place, house them immediately. If anyone lands on them, you’ll be paid back in a single turn. And in multiplied numbers if you house them with more than one!
Well, now you’ve learned a bit about Monopoly. It’s a great game to learn, and can really help your business mind. Hopefully, this article has given you a good idea of how you can start winning, and maybe you can become the monopoly guru.
