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We have always played a variation of Monopoly that I have only recently discovered was a "House Rules" style game. First of all we alway start the Free Parking with $500 and reload it each time it gets landed on. Secondly if we are required to pay in through COmmunity Chest, Chance, or any of the Lux or Income Tax squares, that money also goes into Free Parking. Needless to say Free Parking becomes a highly desired square to land on right away. We also use to deal out the property cards rather than buy them as we landed on them, but I believe that Monopoly accepts that as a "quick game" variation. The other variation that we have always played with is when a person goes bankrupt, their properties are turned over then to the player that bankrupt them, face up, and playable right away. These were house variations that I have used since I was a child, and only after getting married and playing with my wife did she point out that I was playing wrong! It doesn't matter though I still like my way better..... especially Free Parking! From time to time now we play the correct way. I enjoy Monopoly in any form, but it always seems like such a needlessly long game when properties are landed on and bought, or you have to buy off bankrupt properties. Sure its more accurate to real life, but the game is long enough already. To top that off the first time I landed on Free Parking and didnt get my expected $500 minimum payoff.... I was completely bummed.

Our family plays alot of board games. We do our best to take our time and learn the correct way to play each one. It is a good structured event for family gatherings and also for our foster son. As nice as it is to follow the original rules and win fair and square, I have to say when it comes to Monopoly, give me the house rules any day!

Learn more about this author, Joel White.
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