How to Win at Monopoly - 5 Strategies for Kids
14 September 2023
Monopoly is the classic board game where players travel around the board buying properties and attempting to bankrupt their fellow players. While there is some luck involved, much of the game relies on decision-making and following strategy.
For the youngest kids, Junior Monopoly can be a good place to start, as it introduces them to the game concepts in simplified ways. But there’s no reason why slightly older children shouldn’t beat adults at Monopoly. Here’s some strategies to help kids improve their game:
Buy properties wisely
It can be tempting in the first few rounds of the board to buy up any property you land on, but it’s important to be strategic. Think about your chances of collecting a “set”, which you will need in order to build houses and hotels later on. Certain properties, like train stations, can’t be developed, but still command a higher rent if you own more of them. If someone else already owns the majority of a set, it’s unlikely you’ll get those properties from them, but you could block another player from getting a complete set and do a deal with them later on.
Develop your properties wisely
If you manage to get some complete sets of properties, you may be thinking about buying houses on them. While this can bring in the big bucks if another player lands on you, try to avoid having all your cash tied up in houses and hotels. Remember that landing on somebody else’s property, or getting certain Chance and Community Chest cards could leave you with big bills to pay. If you have to sell back your houses, you’ll get much less than you paid for them. It’s best to develop more on higher valued property sets, but only once you can afford them.
Save your money
It's important to save some of your money so that you can pay any taxes, fines or rent that come up. If you find you have to mortgage properties, you’ll lose out on rent when other players land on them, meaning a loss of income. With plenty of cash saved up, you'll also be in a better position to take advantage of opportunities that arise, such as being able to buy a property that's being auctioned off or being able to make a trade with another player.
Consider carefully what to do if you end up in jail
It may seem like you should do whatever you can to get out of jail quickly, and this is true early on in the game when properties are up for grabs. However in the later stages, when moving around the board carries significant risk of landing on a heavily developed property and having to pay a large rent bill, being in jail can work to your advantage. Other players still have to pay you rent if they land on your property, so you can sit back for three turns (assuming you don’t roll a double) and enjoy collecting the money.
Have fun
Last but not least, remember that Monopoly is just a game! It's meant to be enjoyed by everyone involved, so make sure you're not taking things too seriously. If you're not having fun, then what's the point? Use these strategies as guidelines but don't be afraid to experiment and develop your own unique ways of playing the game. Monopoly is notorious for being the cause of family arguments, so try to keep things light-hearted and good-natured. After all, it's only a game!