Free Online Monopoly + Strategy Guide

Monopoly is the most played board game in the world and for a very good reason. It appeals to both adults and kids alike. It is very simple to get into, yet endlessly complex to master. Thus, it justly deserves the title: "King of all Boards Games!" *excluding chess :)

First things first, where do I play monopoly and why I love it so much?

I love monopoly for many reasons, to list just a few: excellent exercise for the brain (much like chess), practice trading (which I use in business world every day), and simply for mere excitement and fun! I usually go to pogo.com for some instant online monopoly action, it's the best place (if not the only) to play it online for free.

As for my personal success in playing, I tend to win 3 out of 5 four-player games, depending on the luck I get in the beginning.

How do I win?

Well, depending on the game you play. There are many different sets rules that might apply. For instance, there is a game of a limited amount of turns and whoever has the biggest net worth after the last turn wins, or you can play the traditional way of "last man standing." Whichever set of rules you choose, smart trading is the number one key to winning (with the exceptions of luck).

How do I trade and when?

· Never trade too early or too late! You have to wait for the right moment, typically when 80-90% of properties are sold or when it is strategically wise (for example: you need one card for the first monopoly in the game or the monopoly you're getting has more than 2 people standing right behind it).

· Never accept the first offer you receive (unless they are obviously generous)! Always give counter offers! When someone approaches you, try to take the advantage of them since they are the ones in need of a trade, just see what you can squeeze out of them.

· Never be too greedy or too generous, because people will just take advantage of you or become very stubborn and not trade with you at all! Try to be somewhat close to the actual values, strategic values, or potential ROI from developed monopolies. The trick is to trade when it is more strategically sound rather then selling something for more than it is worth (which is not a bad idea either).

· If you are trading for a monopoly, make sure you have the money to build houses or withstand landing on houses that your opponent will build resulting from your trade.

· Try to trade with people that have least amount of money or properties, they are usually very desperate.

· Talking is quite useful. Sometimes you might get away trading literally crap for gold simply by convincing or "selling" your proposition.

How do I manage my bankroll?

· Apart from the obvious, being lucky or unlucky, there is a lot to proper money management. Firstly, buy buy buy... The more properties you can buy, the merrier. Even if you are running out of money, mortgage and still buy (even if that property will not help you in anyway it will still be useful for trading).

· Just like in real life, you always want to be prepared for the unfortunate (leave some cash for the worst scenarios).

· Don't over spend on houses.

· Always mortgage properties that have no players behind them (or ones that bring least ROI).

· The most common mistake that people make is when they acquire their first monopoly. Novice players tend to buy as many houses as they can possibly afford. This is one of the worst things one can do (unless he is just about to pass go and there is a couple potential visitors to one's monopoly within the next move).

So why should you listen to my advice?

As you might have guessed by focusing on my passion for monopoly, my real profession is somewhat directly related to this game. I'm a finical consultant, personal finance adviser, and an editor for the official Credit Card Database. So when it comes to dealing with money or monopoly bankroll :), I may humbly say that I'm sort of an expert in the field.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the game!