Monopoly® FAQ

This is an extract from an insert found in many current Monopoly® games:


Questions People Often Ask About MONOPOLY® Game Rules:


1. Must I go around the board once before purchasing property?

No. You may begin purchasing property with the first available space you land on.



2. May I collect rent while in Jail?

Yes. You may collect rent and conduct business as usual while in Jail.



3. Do I get money for landing on Free Parking?

No. If you land on Free Parking, you receive no money, property or reward of any kind.



4. If I own all the properties of one color group, may I put three houses on only one property?

No. Remember to build evenly at all times. You may not put more than one house on any property of a color group until each property of that group has at least one house on it.



5. Must I wait until my turn to buy houses and hotels?

No. You may transact business - such as buying and selling houses - any time on your turn or between moves by other players.



6. May I mortgage a piece of property to buy other properties, houses or hotels?

Yes. You may mortgage property to buy houses, hotels or other properties of any color group.



7. Common points relating to mortgaging:
  • Even after one or more lots of a complete color group have been mortgaged, you may still collect double rent on the unmortgaged lots of that group.

  • If you own all four railroads and mortgage one or more of them, you may still collect $200 rent when an opponent lands on an unmortgaged railroad.



  • 8. Don't forget:
  • Whenever a card directs you to advance to any space, move forward, not backward.

  • When assessed for street repairs, pay for all houses and hotels you own on the entire board at that time.
  • If you pass GO after drawing a Chance or Community Chest card directing you to move to another property, you collect $200, unless otherwise indicated on the card.

  • When you pass GO, land on Community Chest or Chance and are then sent to Jail, you may still collect $200 because you passed GO before you were sent to Jail.

  • The Income Tax is 10 percent of your total assets: cash on hand, property, houses and hotels.



  • 9. Are deals allowed between players?

    Yes. Unimproved properties, railroads, and utilities (but not buildings) may be sold to any player as a private transaction for any amount that the owner can get.


    10. May I borrow money from another player?

    No. You may borrow money only from the Bank.


    11. Why does my set have only 32 houses?

    To maintain a balance in the game, there have always been exactly 32 houses and 12 hotels in the Monopoly® game. If it were possible to improve all properties, it would be difficult to force opponents into bankruptcy.


    12. May I make my own rules?

    Some people play the Monopoly® game according to what are called "house rules." A common example is placing Luxury Tax money on Free Parking. The official Parker Brothers rules - which are followed in tournament play - do not allow such variations.


    13. What if the Bank runs out of money?

    Some players think the Bank is bankrupt if it runs out of money. The Bank never goes bankrupt. To continue playing, use slips of paper to keep track of each player's transactions - until the bank has enough paper money to operate again. The Banker may also issue "new" money slips of ordinary paper.


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    Monopoly®, the distinctive design of the game board, the four corner squares, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and the playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. for its real estate trading game and game equipment. ©1935, 1936, 1947, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1961, 1973, 1984, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Hasbro, Inc.