*English/Non-English: For translations, see notes at the bottom of this page.

The Monopoly™ Guru**

The Monopoly™ Guru**The Monopoly™ Guru**The Monopoly™ Guru**
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The Monopoly™ Guru**

The Monopoly™ Guru**The Monopoly™ Guru**The Monopoly™ Guru**
Home
Rules
  • Introduction
  • Rules - Generally
  • Playing Order
  • Doubles
  • Take Out the Dice
  • Auction Everything
  • Non-property Squares
  • Rent
  • Go, Just Visiting, Etc.
  • Jail
  • Side Deals
  • Most Important Negotiatio
Strategy
  • Official or Modified?
  • The Need for Speed
  • Major & Minor Monopolies
  • Building
  • Mortgaging
  • Housing shortages
  • Cash reserves
  • Cash reserves
Negotiation
  • Negotiation Relationships
  • Knowing the Values
  • Overcoming the "Bad Deal"
  • Don't be a jerk
Ultimate Monopoly
  • Who Is the Best Player?
  • How Many Players?
  • Five or More is Best.
  • Remove the Dice.
  • Free Passes & Immunity
  • Skip Non-property Squares
  • Simplify Rent.
  • You're Ready to Play.
Miscellany
  • Books on Monopoly
More
  • Home
  • Rules
    • Introduction
    • Rules - Generally
    • Playing Order
    • Doubles
    • Take Out the Dice
    • Auction Everything
    • Non-property Squares
    • Rent
    • Go, Just Visiting, Etc.
    • Jail
    • Side Deals
    • Most Important Negotiatio
  • Strategy
    • Official or Modified?
    • The Need for Speed
    • Major & Minor Monopolies
    • Building
    • Mortgaging
    • Housing shortages
    • Cash reserves
    • Cash reserves
  • Negotiation
    • Negotiation Relationships
    • Knowing the Values
    • Overcoming the "Bad Deal"
    • Don't be a jerk
  • Ultimate Monopoly
    • Who Is the Best Player?
    • How Many Players?
    • Five or More is Best.
    • Remove the Dice.
    • Free Passes & Immunity
    • Skip Non-property Squares
    • Simplify Rent.
    • You're Ready to Play.
  • Miscellany
    • Books on Monopoly

  • Home
  • Rules
  • Strategy
  • Negotiation
  • Ultimate Monopoly
  • Miscellany

how many players?

is four really the best number to determine who's best?

The rules indicate Monopoly™ is a game for two to eight players.  Clearly a game with only two players misses much of the dynamics that make the game what it is.  While there is some measure of strategy and negotiation, with only one opponent, the players are not likely to experience the subtlety or the challenges of a game with more players.


While three players is better than two, there is significant pressure for two of the players to work together against the third, although a skilled player will seek agreements with both opponents in a three player game.  Triangulating two opponents interferes with their efforts to make agreements, while enhancing the possibilities for forming alliances.  While a three player game may determine the best of three players, it will not confer the bragging rights of a larger game.


Four players is likely considered the standard game.  This may be, in part, because there is so much luck in standard Monopoly™ rules, not allowing a player to roll until four or more players have already played, may be a handicap that is just too difficult to overcome.


There is, of course, much symmetry in Monopoly™: four sides, four railroads, eight color groups, and two each of Chance an Community Chest.  The problem is that because Monopoly™ breaks down so easily into natural groupings, if the number of players is similarly symmetrical, it may not provide either the tension nor the opportunities of game with an asymmetrical number of players.

Go to Five or More Works with player order auctions.

*Translations: If you are having trouble reading this website in English, consider using the Papago or similar app to visually translate to a more familiar language.  You may need to use a separate device from the one you are using to access this site.


Copyright © 2021 THE MONOPOLY™ GURU* - All Rights Reserved.  

**Note: This is an independent website and unaffiliated with Hasbro, Inc., owners of the Monopoly™ game, as well as Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley.  All information and opinions presented on this site are entirely those of The Monopoly™ Guru and subscribers to the site, and are presented to enhance enjoyment of the game.  Information regarding Hasbro, Inc. may be found on their website, Hasbro.com

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