Monopoly Has a Rule Nobody Plays — And It Ruins the Game

Monopoly’s Official Rules and Common House Rules

Many familiar Monopoly house rules aren’t in the official rulebook. These include collecting money on Free Parking, earning extra money for landing exactly on Go, skipping rent while in jail, and receiving immunity during the first round.

One important official rule is often overlooked: when a player declines to buy an unowned property, the bank should auction it to all players, with no minimum bid. In theory, someone could buy Broadway for $1.

How Auctions Change the Game

Auctions put properties into play quickly, helping players form monopolies, build houses, and charge high rents. Without auctions, players may slowly circle the board collecting $200, and the game can drag on for hours.

The Free Parking jackpot can make games last even longer. Instead of allowing taxes and fines to drain money from players and help end the game, the house rule returns that money to the board.

Monopoly’s History

In 1904, Elizabeth Magie patented The Landlord’s Game to teach players about land ownership and concentrated wealth. The game offered two ways to play: one in which players built monopolies and drove others out, and another in which wealth was shared.

Charles Darrow later sold a version of the game to Parker Brothers as his own invention. After learning about Magie’s earlier patent, the company bought it for $500, without paying royalties.

The Irony of House Rules

Families often invented gentler house rules—such as the Free Parking jackpot—to soften a game originally designed to show how ruthless monopoly-making can be.

The narrator’s closing suggestion: try playing with auctions. The game might end in about 90 minutes, with someone still angry.

People and Organizations Mentioned

• The narrator
• Elizabeth Magie
• Charles Darrow
• Parker Brothers