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Have you ever felt like there are some rules you could use if you decide on Monopoly rules? Have you ever felt like adding some extra rules to restrict or reward certain actions on the Monopoly board? You’re in luck! You can add House rules in Monopoly. But adding rules to your game can either be an awful idea or an amazing one.
When I play Monopoly with my family and friends, we sometimes introduce house rules to make the game more fierce and to make sure the winner is truly deserving.
Even Hasbro sometimes introduced some fun house rules to the classic game but removed them quickly before it garnered popularity.
As you read on, I will show you some fun house rules you can introduce to your Monopoly game to have the most fun with your family and friends. First, let’s see some quick facts about Monopoly house rules.
Quick Facts About Monopoly House Rules
- House rules are not official Monopoly rules
- Depending on the house rules introduced, games can take longer
- Some house rules reward players with extra cash
- Some house rules impose more severe punishment on players
- You must establish house rules before the start of each game
- It’s best to play Monopoly without house rules
What Are Monopoly House Rules?
House rules in Monopoly are alternate rules set by the players in a particular Monopoly game. Sometimes, they are extra rules players decide to abide by within a round of Monopoly games. Some who were introduced to Monopoly by their friends or family play the game according to how they were taught – without realizing that all the rules they play by are house rules.
According to Hasbro, over 60% of Americans have never read the official rulebook of Monopoly. And even worse goes for the rest of the world. Many individuals who play Monopoly have never actually read the official rulebook.
As much as house rules may sound interesting and exciting, a note of caution is that they may actually slow down your game. You may spend 4 hours playing a game of 30 minutes. Even worse, unofficial rules like borrowing others’ money could make ending the game impossible. Neverending games are pretty tiring, you must agree.
Interestingly, some house rules actually speed up the game. But there aren’t many of them, so I implore you to take this article seriously to find these hidden gems. I’m Kidding! They won’t be so out of sight.
The next time you see a Monopoly box, try to read some of the official rules so you know when other players introduce house rules. In fact, I will leave you one rulebook you can download so you can see the official instructions clearly stated.
Monopoly Fun House Rules
Double Salary For Landing on GO
According to the official Monopoly rulebook by Hasbro, when a player lands on or passes GO, he is to collect $200 as a salary from the bank. When you land on GO, you must collect $200. On your next turn, moving off it, you don’t get another $200 because you passed GO just once.
But instead of playing by this simple rule by Hasbro, you could choose to add an extra reward. When a player lands on the GO space, he gets $400 instead of $200. However, if he passes GO without landing on it, he collects the regular $200.
Note that you must state this rule before the start of the game, or else it’s invalid.
Cash For Free Parking
When the game instructs players to pay a tax or fee, the cash doesn’t go to the bank. Instead, players must keep the banknotes in the middle of the board. In this house rule, the player who lands on Free Parking collects all the money in the middle of the board at that time.
Yes! You heard that right. This rule, known by many Monopoly players, is not an official Monopoly rule. The Free Parking space is free, just as the name implies. In this space, nothing was to happen. It is free for every player that lands on it.
When I started playing Monopoly as a child, I played with this rule for many years, thinking it was the official Monopoly rule. In fact, I argued its authenticity with another player at a public event, after which they schooled me on house rules. You can imagine my shame for boldly defending something I lacked good knowledge about.
Remember to agree with other players at the start of the game, or else this rule won’t apply.
No Rent Collection In Jail
This house rule states that, while in jail, you cannot collect rent money from any player for any of your properties.
Meanwhile, according to the official rulebook by Hasbro, when a player is in jail, he can collect rent for any properties he may own. However, some players think that sending players to jail and still allowing them to collect rent is not punishment enough.
They argue that jail is a place for criminals to receive punishment. Hence, they developed this fierce rule to make going to jail even less bearable.
If you share the same sentiments, you can add this rule to your game if other players agree. This rule can make the game faster and even force players to leave jail as quickly as possible, making the game even quicker.
There are several things you can do while in jail. Find out more in this article: Can You Collect Rent In Jail In Monopoly?
Suggested read: Go to Jail- Monopoly Jail Rules Explained
Lucky Roller
Usually, when you roll snake eyes or any other form of doubles, you only get to play another turn. But this house rule rewards players $500 every time they roll snake eyes (double ones).
$500 is currently the highest denomination in the standard version of the Monopoly game. In fact, I personally cherish that banknote more than any other thing in the game. Yet, this rule carelessly rewards players with $500. This rule could be a game-changer, as the poorest person in the game could become the richest, especially if he often rolls snake eyes.
In the Monopoly Plus video game, you can increase that amount to $1000 for rolling snake eyes. This house rule means the reward amount could be anything you and your folks agree on. It could even be $1.
Here’s an article that tells everything you’d want to know about rolling snake eyes: Rolling Snake Eyes in Monopoly- Reward or Disaster?
Suggested read: Rolling Doubles in Monopoly – Everything You Need To Know
Co-Landlords
In normal circumstances, Monopoly official rules do not allow players to make deals to own properties together. However, with this house rule, players can make loans between one another and own property together. How the rent is shared is decided by the partnering individuals.
I recently did this for a friend who was almost bankrupt in a game. It was his first, so I didn’t want him to feel so bad for playing, so I made a deal. Although I am a stickler for the rules, I agreed to invest some money in him. I gave him about $1200 Monopoly banknotes with only one condition – if I land on the property, I will pay rent, but after some time, we must equally share the revenue.
I also assured him he never had to worry about paying back my investment. And this arrangement worked out pretty well for both of us. We eventually gained the most advantage in the game and got other players bankrupt. The only problem was ending the game because we both got an endless supply of money, and no one could have Monopoly of the properties or cash.
This example tells you the effect introducing such a house rule in your game can have. Again, inform other players at the start of the game, or else this rule may not take effect.
Three’s A Crowd
This house rule is simple. When there are three players in a row on three properties, each following the other, each player gets $500.
Some who play this rule decide this is only when the three players are on properties of the same color set. For others, they say that this applies to any space on the board as long as they meet the conditions. To avoid issues and arguments, clearly state the terms and ensure other players agree.
Concentrate on the game to ensure that you collect your cash reward when this happens. It doesn’t happen so often. This house rule, again, can break or make the game. It means that the rich in the game only get richer, as well as the poor. But a rich player could do more harm than a poor player having only a few hundred to spare.
Regardless, getting that extra $500 could mean you’re not declaring bankruptcy, so take it.
Suggested read: What Happens When You Run Out of Money in Monopoly
Grab And Keep
This rule is quite risky. For this house rule, you leave half of the banknotes in the center of the board, all mixed up. Then every player grabs and keeps what they can on the count of 3.
I would never personally play by this rule. Although it can be fun seeing everyone hustle for money on the board, it can also damage your banknotes. I care about my Monopoly board too much to let this happen in a game.
Aside from the fact that it could ruin your banknotes, it also means that half the money in the bank is already gone. That’s too much! It would only make the game last too long. This rule also increases the bank’s chances of running out of money.
However, Hasbro has stated that in Monopoly, the bank never runs out of money. So this rule would mean you going through the hassle of printing or buying extra notes for the game to continue.
I personally do not recommend that you play using this house rule. Everything about it just feels so wrong.
Build On Any Property
In this house rule, players can build houses without owning the complete color set. This is the complete opposite of the instructions as laid out in the official Monopoly rulebook. Players can not build houses until they complete the color set. The official rule means that players must own all properties within a color set before building houses on any of them.
Playing this rule totally changes the strategies and tactics you need to win. This time, you’d have to target high-value properties to get as much rent as you can. I have played this rule severally, and I can assure you it’s fun. However, you just have to get smarter with your approach and strategy.
Suggested read: Buying Houses in Monopoly – All Rules You Must Know
Mum’s World
This rule states that Mum gets out of jail free every time. No reason, no questions asked. She is simply special.
I dislike this rule because it never benefits me. Obviously, I’m not a mom, so why should I?
However, I think this rule is sexist because it portrays women as needing extra push and assistance to succeed. I think the same about the Ms. Monopoly game, which gives special advantages to women because the board was designed for them. Generally, women are smart and strong and can succeed at Monopoly without an extra advantage.
I have been beaten severely by women, and they didn’t get any special superpower to accomplish that.
Circle Before Buying
This rule requires players to go round the board at least once before they can start buying properties.
Once again, this is not the official Monopoly rule. According to the official Monopoly rulebook, you can start buying properties immediately after you move your token from GO at the first instance. Nothing restricts you till you go over the board once.
For me, this rule makes the game last longer. Because it will take some time for all players to get across the board. While this rule may seem annoying at first, it could be an actual lifesaver for you.
I remember several times when I rolled low numbers and moved across the board slower than other players. I had to pay rent to other players before I eventually reached GO. But with this rule, everything is fair, and no one gets too much advantage over the other.
Ensure to inform other players before the start of the game. Otherwise, this rule may not stand.
Can You Make House Rules in Monopoly?
Yes, you can make house rules in Monopoly. However, I do not recommend that you do so, as some house rules can make the game longer than it should last. When making house rules, inform other players at the start of the game. Failing to do so could lead to arguments mid-game.
Monopoly House Rules Edition
On the official Monopoly Facebook page, fans were asked to debate the pros and cons of several house rules. The year was 2014, and the announcement came as a shocker to many Monopoly lovers. After the campaign, Hasbro selected five house rules. These house rules were for future versions of Monopoly. Find the list below.
- Lucky Roller: Collect $500 for rolling snake eyes or double ones
- Free Parking, Fast Cash: Take all the money from taxes and fees when you land on Free Parking
- Frozen Assets: While in jail, players may not collect rent
- Dash For The Cash: Collet $200 for landing on GO
- See The Sights: Complete one full circuit around the board before buying properties.
Monopoly officially introduced these house rules to one 2015 version of the game. However, after some time, Hasbro removed any mention of them from all their boards. On newer versions, it states that house rules are not allowed in Monopoly.
