Monopoly

Modern Colossus of Rail Roads - Keppler 1879

Monopoly-surpluses

Monopoly is a board game that is currently published by Hasbro. In the game, players roll two six-sided dice to move around the game board, buying and trading properties, and developing them with houses and hotels. Players collect rent from their opponents, with the goal being to drive them into bankruptcy. Money can also be gained or lost through Chance and Community Chest cards, and tax squares; players can end up in jail, which they cannot move from until they have met one of several conditions. The game has numerous house rules, and hundreds of different editions exist, as well as many spin-offs and related media. Monopoly is one of the best-selling commercial board games in the world.

Gameplay

Players choose one of several game pieces to represent them on the board as they navigate around, attempting to enhance their wealth by purchasing properties in color-coded groups. The ultimate aim is to monopolize those groups, allowing the owner to charge higher rents. The game is won by the remaining player who has not gone bankrupt after all others have done so.

Board

The standard Monopoly game board consists of 40 spaces containing 28 properties (22 streets, four railroads, and two utilities), three Chance spaces, three Community Chest spaces, a Luxury Tax space, an Income Tax space, the four corner squares: GO, Jail, Free Parking, and Go to Jail.

Properties

When a player lands on a property that is not owned, they may buy it for the price listed on that property's space. If they choose not to buy it, the property is auctioned to the highest bidder among the other players. Properties can be improved by building houses and hotels on them, increasing the rent owed by players who land on them accordingly.

Rules

The game is governed by a set of rules that have evolved over time. Official rules dictate how the game is to be played, but many players use house rules, which can vary significantly.

Strategy

Key strategies in Monopoly include acquiring property groups to build houses and hotels, managing cash flow effectively, and negotiating with other players for trades of property and cash.

Editions and Variants

Monopoly has been produced in numerous editions, with various themes and branding. Special editions have included themes based on popular movies, TV shows, and cities. In addition to the traditional board game, electronic versions and apps have been developed.

Cultural Impact

Monopoly has had a significant impact on popular culture. It has been used as an educational tool to teach finance and negotiation, and has been subject to studies and books about its strategy and the economics behind it. The game has also been criticized for promoting monopolistic practices and capitalism.

Controversies

The game has been the subject of controversy, including disputes over its origin and history. The official story by Hasbro states that Charles Darrow invented Monopoly in 1935, but it was later revealed that the game was based on an earlier game called The Landlord's Game, created by Lizzie Magie.

See Also

• Board games
• Economic simulation games
• Hasbro