Wheee! A Monopoly Review

Last year for Christmas, L got me a “retro” Monopoly set, with the original tokens, wooden houses and hotels, and generally a more compact feel than newer sets. It’s pretty cute, in other words, plus it feels a little more… I don’t know, can a Monopoly set feel mature? In any case, we played a two-person game exactly once and then set it aside. I knew, though, that she harbored a hankerin’ to play again. Skip ahead many moons, and we’re now part of a fairly stable clique of three couples who get together and play games. L floated a game of Monopoly to the crew, and they agreed that it’d be worth a try.

Man! Six-player Monopoly is a whole different kettle of fish. For pete’s sake, somebody had developed a complete set before the first go-’round was completed by anyone! Sly dog, but as he himself predicted he over-extended himself and went down in 4th or 5th place. Deals flew across the table rapidly, egged on by everyone’s relative rustiness at the game and inexperience with it in general. In other words, some awful trades were made.

My own series of early turns lead to some pitiful opportunities, and I never had more than three properties to my name… However, that led me to adapt my favorite Civ / Magic: the Gathering strategy - look harmless, but remain unharmed. When I was propositioned for a trade of one of my measly collection, I pointed out that I’d be completing a monopoly for the other player, without being any closer to one for myself. “So,” sez I, “how about I never pay you rent, ever?” I managed to get the two strongest players to accept these terms, although in both cases there was a moment of hard feelings when they realized that all of their properties were included. Strangely, that was never mentioned but they both assumed it. Ah well… My turning point came when I had a chance to make a deal either for my own monopoly (of the dark purples, just past Go) or for immunity from the last of three players with a decent shot of winning. I figured I had to have one decent revenue stream, so I took the monopoly. Sure enough, that third player was the last one standing, but I think I made the right decision.

Anyway, for a bunch of gamers totally prepared to go with the flow on rules issues or questionable trades, Monopoly is a whole lot more fun than you may remember from your childhood. Enjoy!

PS - did you know there’s a strategy guide at Hasbro? You do now.