Monopoly was one of my favorite board games as a kid and I spent countless hours circling the game board and its associated properties. I was obsessed with owning Boardwalk and Park Place because I felt certain that building houses and hotels on them would make me victorious. That was just one of my many errors in thinking that came to light as I read the recently released book Monopoly, Money, and You: How to Profit from the Games's Secrets of Success (McGraw-Hill) by Philip E. Orbanes, who is a global authority on the beloved game.
After reading the book, I will never look at Monopoly the same way again and that is a positive thing. I must admit that it has been years since I have played the game, but now that I know so much more about the proper way to play, I am anxious to revisit the popular culture icon. Philip E. Orbanes provides 36 secrets of success that will help players perform better at Monopoly and in life. Readers will learn about the most profitable properties to own, how to negotiate successfully with other players, the importance of paying close attention to the Chance and Community Chest cards and much more. Of course, receiving a substantial return on your investments, negotiating real life deals and paying attention to the world around you are essential to leading a successful life, too.
The author provides step by step analysis of three actual Monopoly games, as well as an in-depth assessment of what the winner did right and the losers did wrong. Of course, luck plays a role in a game, as it does in real life, so not everything can be predicted or manipulated to ensure a victory. However, the information provided will likely improve your chances of winning the next game of Monopoly you undertake. One of the most fascinating chapters provides information about what type of person picks a particular token. For instance, choosing the Racecar may signal that you are outgoing, choosing the Battleship may reflect a calculating and ruthless demeanor, and the Thimble may mean a player is sensitive and practical. My favorite token was always Scotty (I referred to it as The Dog), which suggests that I am trustworthy and loyal (I think that is accurate).
Speaking of the tokens, I was surprised to learn that several classic ones are no longer included in the game, including the Iron, the Cannon and Horse&Rider. Other changes include the addition of a Speed Die, which is intended to quicken the pace of the games, new colors for Mediterranean and Baltic, and additional properties are featured in Monopoly: The Mega Edition. Frankly, I wish the companies who produce the classic board games would keep everything the same. I recall when the board in Candy Land changed and I decided that I would no longer play the game because of it. Of course, that was many years ago.
Monopoly, Money, and You: How to Profit from the Games's Secrets of Success is a thoroughly enjoyable read and, as I stated earlier, has practical applications for everyday living, especially from a financial perspective. Indeed, readers can learn about diversification, cash management, return on investment, complacency, the art of negotiating and more. Readers can also learn about unique house rules, most of which I had never heard of before, but may try out the next time I play, which I hope to be soon. Finally, my love for Monopoly has been renewed after reading this book, which brought back many fond memories and taught me many new things about the game.
