Monopoly
Board Games · 10 specs
Direct Answer
Monopoly is a real-estate trading board game published by Hasbro. Official tournament rules mandate that Free Parking awards zero money, declining to purchase a landed property triggers an immediate public auction to the highest bidder, and a strict physical limit of 32 houses and 12 hotels creates a strategic 'housing shortage' where players cannot build if the bank is out of tokens.
Source: Hasbro Official Monopoly Rules (Standard Classic Edition) · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Governing Publisher | Hasbro |
| Starting Bank Per Player | $1,500 (2x 500, 2x100, 2x 50, 6x20, 5x 10, 5x5, 5x $1) |
| Total Board Spaces | 40 spaces (28 properties, 12 action spaces) |
| Bank House Supply Limit | 32 houses maximum in the game |
| Bank Hotel Supply Limit | 12 hotels maximum in the game |
| Free Parking Money | $0 (None) Official Rule (resting space only) |
| Unbought Property Rule | Mandatory Auction Banker auctions immediately to highest bidder |
| Passing GO Salary | $200 collected from bank |
| Jail Exit Cost | $50 or roll doubles within 3 turns |
| Income Tax Space | $200 Flat modern rules (10% option removed) |
The Free Parking Myth vs. Official Rule
The single most common house rule puts taxes, Chance/Community Chest fees, and bonus cash in the center of the board to be collected by whoever lands on Free Parking.
Official Rule: Free Parking is strictly an idle resting space. No money, properties, or rewards of any kind are ever placed on or collected from Free Parking. Adding cash to Free Parking artificially injects unearned money into the game economy, preventing bankruptcies and turning a 60-minute game into a 4-hour stalemate.
Mandatory Property Auctions
When a player lands on an unowned property, they have first right of refusal to purchase it from the Bank at listed face value. If the player declines to buy it, the Banker MUST immediately put that property up for auction to all players. Any player (including the one who declined to buy it) may bid, starting at any price ($1 minimum), and it is sold to the highest bidder.
The Strategic Housing Shortage Limit
Official rules dictate a strict supply of exactly 32 houses and 12 hotels:
- If the Bank runs out of houses, no more can be built until someone sells or upgrades.
- Players must build evenly across a color group (cannot build a 2nd house on one property until all properties have 1 house).
- Advanced Strategy (Housing Lock): An experienced player holding monopolies can deliberately purchase all remaining houses (4 houses on each property) without upgrading to hotels, completely blocking opponents from building houses on their own monopolies.
Jail Rules & Collecting Rent
- Entering Jail: Landing on 'Go to Jail', rolling doubles 3 times in a row, or drawing a card. Turn ends immediately (no 200 for passing GO).
- Exiting Jail: 1) Pay50 before rolling; 2) Play a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card; 3) Roll doubles on one of the next 3 turns. If no doubles after 3 turns, the player MUST pay $50 and advance.
- Collecting Rent in Jail: Players in Jail can still collect rent, buy/sell properties, participate in auctions, and build houses.