Monopoly Deal How To Play

Monopoly Deal is a fast-paced, addictive card game based on the classic Monopoly board game. Designed for 2-5 players aged 8 and up, Monopoly Deal offers a unique twist on the traditional gameplay, making it an excellent choice for family game nights or casual gatherings with friends. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into the rules, strategies, and tips for playing Monopoly Deal, ensuring that you become a formidable player in no time.

Understanding the Game Components

Before we delve into the rules and strategies, it’s essential to understand the various components of Monopoly Deal. The game consists of 110 cards, divided into four different types:

1.1. Property Cards These cards represent the various properties from the traditional Monopoly game. They are color-coded and include the property name, color group, and rent values.

1.2. Money Cards Money cards are used as currency in the game. They come in different denominations, ranging from $1 million to $10 million.

1.3. Action Cards Action cards are the primary means of interacting with other players in the game. They allow you to perform various actions, such as collecting rent, stealing properties, and blocking opponents’ moves.

1.4. Wild Cards Wild cards can be used as substitutes for property or money cards, providing additional flexibility in your gameplay.

Setting up the Game

2.1. Shuffle the Deck To start the game, shuffle the deck of 110 cards thoroughly.

2.2. Deal the Cards Deal five cards to each player, placing them face-down in front of them. This will be the player’s starting hand.

2.3. Create the Draw Pile Place the remaining cards face-down in the center of the table, creating the draw pile.

Game Objective

The objective of Monopoly Deal is to be the first player to collect three full sets of property cards in different colors. A full set consists of all the properties within a single color group, as indicated on the property cards.

Gameplay Overview

During their turn, each player will perform the following actions:

4.1. Draw Cards At the beginning of their turn, the player must draw two cards from the draw pile.

4.2. Play up to Three Cards The player can then play up to three cards from their hand, in any combination of property, money, action, and wild cards. The player is not required to play all three cards, and they may choose to play fewer if they wish.

4.3. Discard Excess Cards If the player has more than seven cards in their hand at the end of their turn, they must discard down to seven cards.

4.4. Pass the Turn Once the player has completed their actions, play passes to the next player in a clockwise direction.

Playing Property Cards

5.1. Building Sets To create a set of properties, the player must place property cards of the same color group in front of them. These cards will be arranged in columns, with each column representing a different color group.

5.2. Adding to Sets Players may add additional property cards to an existing set during their turn.

Playing Money Cards

6.1. Placing Money in the Bank Money cards can be placed in a player’s “bank,” which is a designated area in front of the player. Money in the bank can be used to pay other players when required or for other actions, such as playing certain action cards.

6.2. Using Money as Payment When required to pay another player, a player must use money from their bank. If the player does not have enough money in their bank, they must pay with property cards from their sets, using the property’s printed value as payment.

Playing Action Cards

Action cards allow players to interact with one another and provide various strategic options. Below is a summary of the most common action cards and their effects:

7.1. Rent Cards Rent cards allow the player to collect rent from other players. The rent value depends on the property card’s color and the number of properties in the set. Players may also use wild cards to increase the rent value.

7.2. Deal Breaker The Deal Breaker card allows the player to steal a complete set of properties from another player. This can be a game-changing move when played strategically.

7.3. Just Say No! The Just Say No! card can be played to negate the effects of any action card played against the player. This card can be used at any time during the game, even if it’s not the player’s turn.

7.4. Sly Deal The Sly Deal card allows the player to steal a property card from another player’s set. However, it cannot be used to steal a property from a complete set.

7.5. Forced Deal The Forced Deal card allows the player to swap one of their property cards with another player’s property card. The properties swapped do not need to be of the same color group.

7.6. Debt Collector The Debt Collector card allows the player to collect $5 million from another player. The targeted player must pay using money from their bank or property cards if they don’t have enough money.

7.7. It’s My Birthday! When a player plays the It’s My Birthday! card, all other players must give the player $2 million from their bank.

Playing Wild Cards

Wild cards can be used as either property or money cards, providing additional flexibility in gameplay. Players can use wild cards to complete property sets or increase the rent value when collecting rent from other players.

Winning the Game

The game ends when a player collects three complete sets of property cards in different colors. The first player to achieve this wins the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play more than three cards in a turn if I have a card that allows it?

No, you can only play a maximum of three cards during your turn.

Can I swap a wild card with a property card using the Forced Deal action card?

Yes, you can swap a wild card with a property card using the Forced Deal action card.

Can I use a wild card as payment when required to pay another player?

Yes, wild cards can be used as payment when required to pay another player.

Can I play a Just Say No! card to counter another Just Say No! card?

Yes, a Just Say No! card can be used to counter another Just Say No! card.

Can I play an action card and then use a Just Say No! card to negate its effects?

No, you cannot use a Just Say No! card to negate the effects of an action card that you played yourself.

Can I play Monopoly Deal with more than five players?

While Monopoly Deal is designed for 2-5 players, you can play with more players by combining two decks of Monopoly Deal cards.

Can I play a Rent card if I have no property sets?

No, you must have at least one property set to play a Rent card.

How many wild cards can I use in a single property set?

You can use as many wild cards as needed to complete a property set.