Are you in search of a family-friendly card game for your next game night? If so, you might want to give Monopoly Deal a try. Now, I know what you might be thinking – Monopoly is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of game. It seems that there are two types of people in the world: those who love Monopoly and those who can’t stand it.
I understand the sentiments. Traditional Monopoly is a lengthy board game that involves numbers, strategy, and a dash of luck with the roll of the dice. Personally, I’ve always loved Monopoly, but I didn’t get to play it much while growing up because it was hard to find willing participants. And when I did play, we rarely finished the game because I had to be home for dinner. On the other hand, my wife falls into the category of those who can’t stand it. She finds it slow, boring, and excessively time-consuming. Then there’s our eight-year-old, Griffin, who absolutely loves Monopoly.
We’ve tried to persuade Tara, my wife, to play the game with us, but she’s never been keen on it. However, Monopoly Deal is a different story. It’s one of Tara’s favorite card games, and we play it regularly. So, even if you’re among the folks who can’t stand traditional Monopoly, don’t let Monopoly Deal scare you away. In fact, it’s one of Tara’s top picks, and we enjoy it together all the time.
Monopoly Deal – Family Night Card Game
In contrast to the traditional Monopoly, which involves a game board, various pieces, paper money, and dice, Monopoly Deal is a card-based game, and that’s it. While a standard Monopoly game can stretch on for hours, Monopoly Deal typically wraps up in just 10 to 20 minutes.
This game is designed for kids aged 8 and up. We have two kids, Griffin (8) and Trevor (6). Although it took a bit more time to teach Trevor, he eventually caught on and can now play independently. So, it’s not overly complex to learn and enjoy. Monopoly Deal has quickly become our favorite family card game. The rulebook is succinct, spanning only a single page. The game also includes four handy reference cards, allowing each player to have one at their side. However, once you’ve grasped the game’s mechanics, it’s easy, quick, and loads of fun.
Monopoly Deal – The Game
If you’ve ever played the traditional Monopoly game, Monopoly Deal shares the same basic premise. The properties are familiar, and the game still centers around money. However, the key difference is how you win. In the original Monopoly, the goal is to be the last person with money and properties, essentially bankrupting the other players. Monopoly Deal, on the other hand, is a bit different. Your sole objective is to collect three complete property sets. The first player to achieve this wins the game. Yes, it’s that straightforward, well, almost. There’s a twist to it.
At the beginning of the game, everyone is dealt five cards, which remain hidden from other players. Each turn starts by drawing two cards from the central deck. During your turn, you can play a maximum of three cards or fewer, and there are only three specific ways to play your cards.
There are three types of cards:
- Money Cards
- Property Cards
- Action Cards
Nearly all cards feature a cash value located in the top corner.
Your turn begins after drawing two cards from the central deck. You then have the option to play zero, one, two, or three cards. Keep in mind that you can’t hold more than seven cards at once.
You have three ways to play your cards. If you have a money card, you can place it in your bank pile, which is important for paying certain action cards. If you have a property card, you can lay it down in front of you to work towards your three full property sets. Alternatively, you can play an Action card in the center pile, featuring actions like “Steal a Property” or “Swap a Property,” among others.
I won’t delve into all the game’s rules here, as the instructions provided with the game are self-explanatory and easy to follow once you’ve made the purchase.
Make Your Own Rules
In our usual game sessions, we have four players. On occasion, we like to create our own variations of Monopoly Deal. One of our favorites involves playing in teams, with two players against two. We alternate our seating arrangement, so, for instance, if I’m on Tara’s team and we’re up against Griffin and Trevor, our seating would be arranged as follows: Tara, Griffin, Myself, Trevor. In this version, the goal is to collect six properties, rather than the standard three.
However, there’s a catch – teammates are not allowed to communicate, except when someone is attempting to steal a property using cards like “Deal Break,” “Sly Deal,” or “Force Deal.” The only question we’re permitted to ask is whether we should stop the theft. This variation adds an element of excitement because the game often extends through the entire deck without a clear winner. Once the deck is exhausted, only Action cards remain, leading to a rapid conclusion.
Sometimes, Griffin and Trevor prefer to play with open communication among teammates, which adds an even more entertaining and unpredictable dimension to the game.
The main point is that Monopoly Deal is an enjoyable and thrilling game that the entire family will cherish. Not only does it provide quality family time, but it also imparts valuable lessons about money and strategy.
You can find this game on Amazon with numerous positive reviews and feedback. Priced at just $9, it’s a worthwhile investment for a Family Night Card Game.