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The first time I played Monopoly, there were three spaces that stood out to me. Those were the Go to Jail, Just Visiting, and Free Parking Monopoly spaces. Free parking, especially, was confusing.
There was no price or instruction on the board on what to do. It just came with a picture of a parked car somewhat. What really is the point of the free parking space in Monopoly? Is it worthless or a priceless gem?
That’s what we’re about to find out.
What is Free Parking in Monopoly?
Free parking in Monopoly refers to the space that reads “free parking on the Monopoly board. It is normally found in the second intersection after GO. Free parking is pretty much the safest space on the board, as it comes with little or no obligation for the player.
This is one of the reasons why people often wonder if free parking in Monopoly might come with a reward or punishment. Here’s the answer to that question.
What are the Free Parking Rules?
In the official Monopoly rules, free parking comes with no extra rewards or obligations. The rule says, “A player landing on this place does not receive any money, property, or reward of any kind. This is just a “free” resting place.”
In other words, there is nothing special about free parking on the surface. It’s simply a place where no extra obligations are required.
Free Parking Rules in Different Monopoly Variations
| Monopoly Edition | Free Parking Rule |
| Monopoly Empire | Choose between picking a chance or a community chest card |
| Monopoly Plus | The computer calculates all applicable fines and gives a player that lands on free parking |
| Monopoly Gamer | Treats as resting place |
| Monopoly Here and Now | Treats as resting place |
| Monopoly Junior | Treats as resting place |
| Monopoly Cheaters | The computer calculates all applicable fines |
| Monopoly Ultimate Banking | Treats as a resting place |
| Ms Monopoly | Treats as a resting place |
| Monopoly Streets | Comes with 7 different rule sets. Normal mode treats free parking as a resting place |
| Monopoly Speed | No place for free parking as there are two GO spaces |
| Monopoly Electronic Banking | Treats as a resting place |
| Winning Solutions Luxury Monopoly | Treats as a resting place |
| Monopoly Mega Edition | Treats as a resting place |
| Monopoly Game Star Wars | Treats as a resting place |
| Monopoly Game Stranger Things | Treats as a resting place |
1. Monopoly Empire
This is one of the few Monopoly variations where there’s a significant shift in the free parking rules. Here, players have two options when they land on free parking.
- They can decide to do nothing. In this situation, the same rules in the classic Monopoly apply. The free parking space will act as a resting place for the player.
- There’s also the option of paying $100. This allows you to go to whatever property or space you want to go to.
These new rules add a new dimension to the game. The $100 option can be used when the game is starting or when you need one property to complete a block of properties. It can be the difference.
However, during the end game, the option of staying put will serve you well.
2. Monopoly Plus
This variation comes with different options when it comes to free parking. This is mostly because it is usually played on a console.
Most of the cash calculations are done automatically by AI based on the fines collected throughout the game. This forms a pool which is eventually given to a player when they land on free parking.
It’s the same with the official rules, just easier to pull off.
3. Monopoly Gamer
This edition is pretty much the same as the classic. It treats free parking as a resting place. You can always use house rules to spice things up.
4. Monopoly Here and Now
This edition treats free parking as a resting place. Thus, players get no rewards or punishments when they land on it.
House rules can be used when playing this edition.
5. Monopoly Junior
The target audience here is younger people. Thus, there isn’t any difference when compared to the classic.
6. Monopoly Cheaters
This edition treats free parking differently. Players who land on free parking have to choose between picking a chance or a community chest card.
You can click that link to see the difference between community and chance cards.
7. Monopoly Ultimate Banking
This Monopoly edition treats free parking as a resting place. Players can always choose to incorporate house rules.
8. Ms Monopoly
The Ms Monopoly edition treats free parking as a resting place. However, I really love the concept of this edition, as the properties are replaced with inventions inspired by women.
9. Monopoly Streets
This edition of Monopoly is played on the Xbox game console and comes with a lot of variations. Players get the choice of picking between 7 different rule sets.
House rules can also be added. If you decide to play the classic edition, free parking is treated as a resting place.
10. Monopoly Speed
This edition comes with two GO spaces. This eliminates free parking entirely. Thus, free parking is not even important here. The idea in this edition is to trade and buy properties within 4 rounds. So, things move really quickly.
11. Monopoly Electronic Banking
This edition treats free parking as a resting place. House rules can be used to tweak the official rules.
Free Parking and House Rules
As mentioned earlier, the classic Monopoly comes with no rewards for free parking. However, most people play the game with modified rules. Most of these houses are also available in the Monopoly’s electronic versions. Here are some of the most popular ones.
Money in the Centre
This is traditionally called free parking cash. This house rules state that when a player lands on free parking, they pick up all the cash that’s left in the center of the Monopoly board.
Now, there is no rule that money should be pooled at the center of the board. So, money pooled at the center of the board is also a house rule. This money is gotten through
- Any money paid to the bank through the community and chance cards
- Players can all decide to place some cash in the center at the beginning of the game. This can range from $10 to as high as $500 each.
- Sometimes, players might be asked to pay a certain amount whenever they pass free parking without landing on it.
The particular rules for pooling cash will depend on the people playing the game.
Last Property Rule
I find this rule exciting but have played it only once. It states that the last property to be purchased is placed in the center of the board. The first person to land on free parking gets the property. If someone else lands on the property space, they get to pay rent.
This house rule doesn’t change much. However, it can be heartbreaking if you already own other properties in the same color block.
Using Free Parking as a Strategy
The way you view free parking can change over the course of a game. Since free parking is just a block on the board, it’s difficult to use it as a strategy. Most of the time, it’s down to luck when you land on free parking.
When players land on free parking at the beginning of the game, it can be frustrating. This is because it gives other opponents a chance to get more properties than you. You simply cannot afford to land on free parking at this stage.
However, towards the end of the game, when your opponents have built houses or hotels, landing on the free parking space can be golden. This is especially true when houses and hotels surround it.
It can be the difference between winning a game and bankruptcy.
Strategies To Consider When House Rules Are in Effect
When house rules are in effect, free parking becomes more valuable. You could earn so much more by landing on free parking. It can also help if you have one more property needed to complete your empire.
However, because it’s a block, it’s still down to chance. You need to calculate your odds of landing in free parking when making any strategies.
What are the Odds of Landing in Free Parking Monopoly?
The odds of landing in free parking are about 2.9%. While this can be low, the possibility of landing in free parking becomes real when you’re around its vicinity. However, this supports my firm conviction that free parking is not a good strategy to depend on when playing Monopoly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Parking in Monopoly
How Do You Get the Money in the Middle of Monopoly?
Money in the Middle of Monopoly is not an official rule. It is a house rule which requires players to pool money either at the beginning of the game or through penalties awarded throughout the game.
The player who lands on the free parking space gets the money in the middle of the Monopoly board.
What Does Free Parking Mean in Monopoly Junior?
It’s treated as a resting place. No other rewards or punishments are available under the official rules.
Is Park Lane the Same as Free Parking?
No, it is not. Park Lane is one of the most luxurious properties on the Monopoly board, while free parking space is a resting place. It holds no value and cannot be bought.
