Sam Pocker on Monopoly

by Sam Pocker
(Retail Anarchy)

Sam Pocker on Monopoly: the consumer economics expert on the world's best-selling board game

Sam Pocker on Monopoly
Interview by BoardgameBeast.com

We fancy ourselves to be Monopoly games experts, but wanted a real economist's view of the world's favourite board game. So we put some questions to filmmaker, writer and broadcaster Sam Pocker. Here's his top Monopoly strategy tips.

1) Monopoly's economic model: which model(s) does the game obey?

Capitalism, plain and simple. Technically it's a mixture of capitalism and government regulation, as the game does come with rules. The rules must be followed, however, by the players who may break them without oversight, intervention, or fear of actually going to jail.

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Thus, it's more along the line of capitalism with corrupt government regulation. The banking system is unstable as one of the players has to be "the banker", and your deposits are not insured. Unlike real money, Monopoly money looks really cool.

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2) Does the often-used FREE PARKING 'rule' that lets people pay fines and taxes into the centre, and then a person landing on FREE PARKING grabs the loot, make a huge difference?

It does not spoil the game at all, unless you are a communist, in which case you're probably not so inclined to play a game called "Monopoly" in the first place, or are you? Maybe if it was called "Government Monopoly" and you had to wait in line to play.

In reality, your tax dollars are funneled into government, which then end up back in the economy via paychecks to government employees, welfare rolls, etc. The "Free Parking" space just accelerates that process and makes the more obnoxious player completely unbearable when they land on it and laugh in your face.

Not unlike people who shamelessly use E.B.T. to purchase soda and chips at the supermarket.

Click to read our review of this cool Monopoly money tie! Read our Monopoly money tie review!

3) Buy everything vs speficic targets: which works best? And which approach do you use when you play?

I generally buy everything. The only exception to this rule, if your opponent has say Pacific Avenue and you have NC Avenue which will block his Monopoly, you may want to conserve cash early on should you land on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Once every color scheme is spoken for, it's probably a good idea to pick up any available properties, so that you have a bartering chip if your opponent goes broke later.

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4) Give us your top Monopoly strategy tips, please!

i) Play for real money. It's more exciting, it's potentially illegal (check your local and state laws first), and it keeps you more involved in the game.

ii) Take your time on every turn. Don't feel rushed to make a decision, there is no clock.

iii) Mortgage to the hilt after every color is spoken for. You need as much cash as possible early in the game. You can unflip when everyone else is flipped and therefore be the only player collecting rent.

iv) Don't play those licensed versions, they are too confusing and have strange values. I got my ass kicked at Disneyopoly once, it was embarrassing. The new Monopoly that takes credit cards instead of cash is absurd (Monopoly Here and Now - ed.). If you are bad at math keep a calculator handy.

If you can still find one of those Monopoly
calculators they made for a while, then get your hands on one, it is well worth it.

v) Respect your American heritage. This is a game based on Atlantic City, a disgusting slum on the Jersey Shore filled with smelly casinos, homeless junkies, and the seediest gift shops in North America. Stand tall, be proud!

vi) Income Tax. With the exception of the first two rounds, always play for $200, the 10 per cent is a suckers bet. If you are so broke that the 10 per cent is cheaper, then you might as well just fold.

vii) If you own Boardwalk AND Park Place, mortgage everything else and BUILD BUILD BUILD. Save yourself enough cash to pay rent elsewhere, generally 30% of your total worth, dump everything else into houses and hotels. One person landing on them can end the game and leave you victorious.

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viii) If you take the game seriously, don't play with people who do not take it seriously. They will ruin your enjoyment and you will ruin theirs.

ix) If you end up in jail, roll as many times as possible before paying. If you have a 'get out of jail free' card, use it only in the early rounds of the game.

x) A Monopoly game can take 2-5 hours if played correctly. Allot this much time beforehand, commit to it and play till the end. This is the only board game which is truly like a day at the office, it's a lot of work and it can be very rewarding emotionally and intellectually, but give the game the respect it deserves, much as you would your career.

REMEMBER - Practice makes perfect! There are several titles (including some free Monopoly games - ed.) for computer and video game systems available for you to practice with before playing.