How to play Monopoly

Monopoly

2 to 6 players

Monopoly is the best known board game in the world, and the longest night at the table. You buy streets, build on them, and collect rent from whoever lands there, until one player is left standing. It takes patience, company that can take a joke, and a seat that is one short.

How to play

1 Players 2 to 6, and 4 is the sweet spot. Each player picks a token and starts with the same balance from the bank, and one volunteers to be the banker. 1

2 The turn Roll both dice and move. The street you land on you either buy from the bank or pay rent on to its owner. Doubles give you another turn. 2

3 Streets Complete a colour group and you can build houses on it, and after four houses a hotel. Every house raises the rent, and that is where the game turns. 3

4 Cards Chance and Community Chest squares hand you a card to act on. You leave jail with doubles, with a card, or after three turns. 4

5 Deals Trading between players is allowed and is half the game. Agree the house rules before you start, not in the middle. 5

6 Winning The last player not bankrupt wins. If the night is short, set a time limit up front, and the richest when it runs out takes it. 6

Tips

Buy early

The streets you take early are the ones you build on later.

Orange and red

Some of the most landed-on streets, because they sit just past jail.

Three houses

Rent jumps at the third house, so focus your building there.

Trade

A smart trade can complete a colour group and turn the game.

Variants and other names

Auctions

Under the official rules, a street nobody buys goes to auction among all players.

Monopoly Deal

A quick card version that plays in about 15 minutes.

Questions

How many players does Monopoly need?

From 2 to 6, and 4 is the sweet spot. One short? Kemlet finds you a player nearby.

How long does a game of Monopoly take?

Two to four hours, unless you set a time limit up front.

Can you build houses before owning the whole colour group?

No, you need every street in the colour before you build.

How do you get out of jail?

Roll doubles, use a get out of jail card, or wait three turns.