Best Beginner Strategies For Monopoly

Quick Links

• Monopoly Basics

• Buy Wisely

• Auctions

• ​​​Rainy Day Money​​​​

• Risky Mortgaging

• Trading

• Get Into Jail

• Don't Ignore The Railways

• Buy Across The Board

Are you really a board game fan if you've never rage-quit Monopoly? It is probably one of the most classic games of all time and has remained a fan favorite ever since it was introduced almost a hundred years ago, ruining more than one friendship on game nights.

How Many Tokens Has Monopoly Gone Through Over The Years?

Monopoly has some icon game pieces, known as tokens. Here, you can find out how many tokens have been used since 1937.

We rarely come across games that are as unpredictable as this one, where one teeny-tiny decision can flip the entire thing in no time. No two games of Monopoly have been the same since Charles Darrow invented it in the 1930s, and if you haven't been able to win one in a long time, here are a few things you might've overlooked.

Monopoly Basics

Before we start taking major risks in the stressful world of real estate, let's quickly go over the basic rules.

Each player starts with $1500 on the Start space on the gameboard. It has 22 streets, four railroads and two utilities, which are all up for grabs. Players pay rent if they land on a property owned by someone or decide whether or not to buy if it isn't owned.

When one player owns all the properties in a color set, they can build houses and hotels and charge super inflated rents. If a player is broke and can't pay their dues, they're out of the game. Up to speed? Great, let's move on.

Buy Wisely

You don't have to wait to land on your favorite high-value properties to start buying. The earlier you buy, the faster you can start building sets. You can also hold on to some properties as leverage in case you don't get the ones you want. Maybe get some streets from the red and orange color groups, since they're affordable yet in demand.

Auctions

Always participate in auctions! It's a great way to get properties for much lesser than they're worth,or just a really manipulative way to hike up the price of a property you don't really want (but someone else does), just to make your opponents shell out more money.

Is Monopoly a bit too detailed for you? Check out our selection of quick-to-learn board games.

​​​Rainy Day Money​​​​

As fun as it seems to use up all your money to buy new properties or develop the ones you've already got, by building as many houses as you can possibly afford, it's always a good idea to keep some cash on you at all times, in case of emergencies. You know, like if you've landed on Park Place (plus 3 houses) and you're desperately in need of $1,100!

Risky Mortgaging

Do not mortgage one property to buy anotherever. Many of us are guilty of this extremely risky strategy, and it will definitely set you back on developing other properties, since you'll have to pay ten percent extra to get the mortgage lifted. Unless you bought the street just to spite someone else. Then go right ahead.

Trading

A lot of people tend to underestimate how important trading can be to your game. By trading, you can either complete your own set, or grossly overcharge your friend for a street they would need to complete their own. Because the state of the board changes constantly, traders can completely alter the course of gameplay by picking up high-demand properties or dumping useless ones.

Get Into Jail

We know what that sounds like, but wait. Staying in jail instead of paying a fine to get out might actually give you a little bit of an edge, especially if money is tight. You can avoid paying sky-high rents and avoid the risk of bleeding money in the case of a Community Chest or Chance card backfires. And you know, you can still collect rents if you're behind bars.

Don't Ignore The Railways

Although the railways don't necessarily generate as much income as good old-fashioned streets, they're still not too bad. They guarantee some amount of consistent income, since players land there a lot more than you'd imagine. And anyway, having a decent amount of cash flow is always a good idea, which is guaranteed with the railways, since they are so scattered around the board.

Buy Across The Board

As badass as it feels to own an entire side of the board, consider buying properties from different color groups. This will ensure that players land on your properties frequently and will give you a pretty decent income. This will also ensure that you have leverage to negotiate, while limiting your opponents' mobility. Don't ignore Mediterranean and Baltic Avenues. They could be very useful later.

Best Board Games Like Monopoly

If you love playing Monopoly, you should give these board games a go.