Friday, January 2, 2009

How to Win at Monopoly the Smith Way

You've probably played Monopoly. Well here's how to win in a tested method handed down from my father.

Firstly, you spot a color group you and a person could get together and create. For example, you have one green and they have two greens.

Next, you form a partnership. It doesn't really matter who has two properties, as the partnership is a lot better than just two unrelated properties. Each partnership has the conditions that
1) The partnership cannot be dissolved unless a member goes bankrupt
2) Both partners get free rent on the property group in question
3) Both partners split the cost of homes, with it being possible that one partner can "owe ya one"
4) Both partners split the rent equally, which usually defaults to paying owed house cash if any
5) A person's share of rent can be replaced by gaining a property instead, so long as the other person agrees and receives either their share in cash or an acceptable deal

Now you're into the "building houses like mad" period. As soon as you can, get 3 houses on each property. 3 houses is the magical number; that's the first major increase in rents. Keep in mind that you probably don't build a bunch of houses and run out of cash.

Once you've got hotels, you'll be raking in the money and be the ire of all the other players.

Unfortunately, winning doesn't end there. In the endgame, this partnership won't be all that great one on one against your partner. Hopefully you've used the partnership as a front on acquiring other properties in order to build them up. Additionally, it's sound strategy to make partnerships with other people, provided you can afford it.

According to some home rules, this practice is banned. Why? Because it's so brutally effective. This method can make hotels on a property long before other people are even building houses. I've tried this twice at two different friend's houses, and I've made out like a bandit both times. I've also provoked the ire of my friends for having such an effective strategy.

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