by Jeff Kee

Created on: February 08, 2007   Last Updated: January 06, 2011

I'm a big monopoly geek and a fan. Yes, the rolls you get play a huge factor in how a game goes, but there are factors within your control that can affect the outcome of the game as well. So here are some rules I abide by :

Keep in mind that this is primarily for 1:1 games, which I usually play...

1. Beginning of the Game

Unless you play with the alternative rules of winning $500 for landing on Free Parking, money should be scarce. Here are the purchase rules :

- Any color group that any other players do NOT own, regardless of the color/value, BUY IT. Some people tell you not to invest in the cheaper color groups (dark purple and light blue mostly) but that is a lot of crap. The development costs are so cheap ($50 per house!) and the returns are very reasonable. Any potential monopoly is a good monopoly.
- Let's say your opponent has 1 of a color, and you have another one too, so neither one of you have a chance at a monopoly unless you make a trade. Unless you have tonnes of money, do not buy the 3rd one even if you land it. You've already eliminated the chances of a monopoly for the other player, and you cannot obtain it either - save your money.
- Buy all the railroads and utilities if you possibly can. They may seem to return small at first but they'll add up after a few landings. And as you know, owning both the Utilities increases the rent for you, and the railroads do the same.

2. Throughout the Game

Carefully time your developments, even between 1 or 2 turns!

Let's say you are on square #15 (Pensylvannia Railroad). You have houses over the Yellows, and your opponent has houses on the Reds. Your opponent is sitting on the Free Parking. Right now you have a good chance of landing on his houses on the Reds, owing him rent. Calculate the maximum rent you would need to pay if you did land on his properties. Deduct that, and that's the maximum you can invest for more houses/hotels on the Yellows, in anticipation of your opponent landing it.

Roll your dice. If you DO NOT land on his reds and you're already past it, THEN build more houses. It's still your turn unless your opponent picks up the dice! REMEMBER THIS - YOU CAN STILL BUILD HOUSES AFTER YOU HAVE ROLLED YOUR DICE!

Let's say you have 1 monopoly over whatever color, and your opponent has no chances of monopolies because you own 1 of each color group anyhow. He may as well give up, but if he doesn't, just build whatever you can over the 1 monopoly you have. Kill him off - it will work.

3. Negotiating

If

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