Monopoly seems to be the game that no one really wants to play at gatherings anymore because of how long it can go on. What if someone told you that the reason the game usually goes on for so long is because you haven’t been playing it right for your entire life? Well, a lot of people’s bubbles are about to be busted when they find out that this is how the game is really supposed to be played, according to a rule book most of us have probably never taken the time to actually read.
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Have you ever read the rules?
If you’ve never read the rules to Monopoly, then nine times out of 10 you’ve been playing the game wrong. According to Reader’s Digest, an official Hasbro survey revealed that 68% of players have never actually read the rules of the game. Instead, they’ve learned the game by playing how other people do.
The rules actually make the game faster.
Playing the game as intended actually makes it a lot faster, according to Hasbro’s official rule book. Reader’s Digest says playing by the true rules also “reduces the tedium, and provides more head-to-head player interaction.” There are three big rules that can really change how the game is played.
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You're likely buying property wrong.
So many people believe that in order to buy a property you have to land directly on it, but the rule book says otherwise. If someone lands on an unowned property but does want to buy it, “the Banker sells it at auction to the highest bidder. Any player, including the one who declined the option to buy it at the printed price, may bid,” the rule book reads.
You're probably not using the free parking properly.
When it comes to free parking, the rule book reads, “A player landing on this place does not receive any money, property or reward of any kind. This is just a ‘free’ resting place.”
So technically, when players land on free parking, they aren’t supposed to collect all the money accrued through taxes and card draws. Hasbro even shared it gets hundreds of calls asking about the free parking rules, even though they are right in the box.
You're probably going to jail wrong.
Although many people think you can’t collect rent on your owned properties while in jail, that’s not actually true. “Even though you are in jail, you may buy and sell property, buy and sell houses and hotels and collect rents,” the rule book reads.
This is how you officially play Monopoly. There you have it folks! Give it a try and see if it makes the game more enjoyable — and shortens the time as well.
