Monopoly Variations

The directions in the Monopoly set come with the three sets of rules listed on the Monopoly rules page. However, there are additional variations to the rules of Monopoly. Many of the variations are part of the various special edition sets of Monopoly. For example, a quick version of Monopoly is offered through the “Monopoly Speed Die Edition”. Another example of a variation to the rules is seen through several of the European “Here and Now” editions of Monopoly – in those cases ATM and Visa Debit Cards are used in place of money.

Other official variations include the 1936 add-on called the Stock Exchange addition. In that case, the Free Parking space was covered with a Stock Exchange space. Community chest and Chance cards were expanded to include stock exchange cards. Stock certificates are handed out and dividends are paid. The purpose is to bring even more money into the game. Then, in 2001, a Monopoly Stock Exchange edition was released – so the variation was no longer needed for the original monopoly game.

Another variation involves the Free Parking space. In this unofficial variation, money from taxes, fines and other penalties is placed in a communal pot in the center of the board. The money will grow through the course of the game. When a player lands on the Free Parking space, that player gets all the money accumulated.

An unofficial variation to the rules is also used regarding the sale of property. In this variation, whenever a player lands on a property an auction will occur. The player who rolled the dice gets the first bid but other players can try to out bid that player. This variation makes it easy to overspend in the beginning of the game but can add a fun twist.

An unofficial variation is also sometimes used involving the player who is sent to jail. In this variant, a player is not allowed to collect rent or add houses or hotels while residing in jail. Thus, jail will actually penalize the player who may try to “hide out” there when his or her cash flow is low.