I've never played Monopoly! I might have given it a go when I was a kid but, if I did, I certainly wouldn't have known the rules. I've often wondered why I'd never taken Monopoly more seriously as a game or assumed it wasn't fun (judging by the sheer look of pain on people's faces when it's even mentioned in passing). It's such an iconic game.
I can't remember how it happened exactly but I was pointed in the direction of The Beatles Monopoly. I read the description and thought to myself "I must own this" but wondered why I must if I didn't know how to play...hence adding it to the 40 list. I was pretty sure I knew people who knew how to play Monopoly and therefore would eventually get around to purchasing The Beatles version of the game.
I've told my family, boyfriend and various friends that if they're stuck on something to get me for my birthdays/Christmases then consult this list. Lots of ideas here! My boyfriend, Mathijs, did just that and actually got me The Beatles Monopoly (I might have dropped a hint though)!
We hadn't got around to playing the game until I took it with me to Makkum (Holland) when I stayed there from Boxing Day to New Year's Day. I read the rules and thought it was pretty straight forward. Mathijs and I roped in his brother, Wouter and sister, Michelle to play. Michelle was the banker.
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| The Set-up |
Now, the ACTUAL rules. If you land on something, buy it or put it up for auction but someone must buy it. We chose our pieces. I chose "Strawberry Fields Forever". The other pieces in the games are "Here Comes The Sun", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Octopus's Garden", "Rocky Raccoon" and "I Am The Walrus".
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| Strawberry Fields Forever |
So, after a few goes I had bought Sgt. Pepper, Yellow Submarine, Come Together and their live performance at Shea Stadium (the live performances were in place of what would have been the stations in the regular game). I then got The Cavern Club to go with Shea so any time someone landed on either they would have to give me ♥50. I then started collecting the reds until I was thwarted by Michelle which meant I couldn't buy houses for them.
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| Sgt. Pepper, Yellow Submarine, Come Together and Shea Stadium performance |
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| The Cavern |
Money started to run out quite quickly so I had to start mortgaging my properties - especially when Wouter put hotels on all of the pink ones (Beatles For Sale, Help (Single), Help (Album)). Then Mathijs started putting houses on the highest priced "streets" (Abbey Road Studio and Apple Records). I had to give my mortgaged properties to Mathijs in a deal. Wouter was beginning to clean up. I almost got to the point of bankruptcy and made a deal which meant giving most of my items away so I wouldn't have to "pay the rent". The deal-making part was quite funny, especially when it was between Mathijs and Wouter.
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| Mortgaging |
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| Wouter with hotels on the pink ones! |
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| Mathijs with houses on the most expensive spaces |
Mathijs started to get more cocky by putting more houses and then a hotel on his expensive "streets". It looked like Wouter was going to clear up but he met his demise by landing on Mathijs' expensive "streets" a few too many times. He was almost pleased he kept going to jail so he wouldn't have to make any moves and could still rake money in.
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| Wouter rubbing his hands about to make a deal! |
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| Jail? Again? |
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| Someone is in jail! |
Michelle was bankrupt first and I was next. Mathijs ended up winning the game.
I would definitely play the game again (obviously, as it was a present). It doesn't take as long as people think if you buy every time you land on something.
I just noticed online there's a Beatles Yellow Submarine Monopoly...oh dear (keep away, Lauren)!
