This dice game is a derivative of Monopoly. The board is a list of the monopolies found in the original game. The property groups are color coded as in Monopoly, and are given dollar values, which you can collect by rolling the dice results for that set.
You want to be the first player to achieve a pre-determined dollar value; or have the most money at the end of a pre-set number of turns.
You make matches from the dice you roll (10 dice), and attempt to score monopolies. There are a couple of "Wild" results as well, which help to finish harder sets (like the 4 railroad set). Once you place a die in a slot, you have to keep that result (except for Wilds, which can only be moved if the proper die they represent is later rolled).
The trick is that 3 of the dice are word dice, containing the words: "Go" "To" & "Jail". You may keep re-rolling your dice, as long as you don't get all of these results (you must keep these when you roll them). If you get this word set, you go to jail (score 0 for that turn).
Simple enough for kids, but gives the gambler some excitement as well.
An updated version, called Monopoly Express (first released in the UK and Europe, and now available in a U.S. edition), is also available. It alters the original gameplay as follows:
- The game is played for "dollars" instead of points.
- It changes the "Go," "to" & "jail" into the "Policeman" from the "Go To Jail" corner of the board game (a.k.a. "Officer Jones").
- One of the blank sides on one of the "Policeman" dice is replaced with a green-arrow "GO" logo that automatically earns the player $200 (this bonus can be lost if the three "Policemen" are rolled).
- It adds an eleventh "House/Hotel" die that can earn (or lose) a player Houses (worth $1000 each), earn Hotels (worth $5000, but only if a player has already earned 4 houses) and a "Get Out Of Jail Free" side that negates a previously-rolled "Policeman". (This eleventh die cannot be rolled until a player completes a property group).
- The Wild sides are replaced by "Chance" sides (with the Chance "?" logo) that act as Wilds, but CANNOT be moved after being placed.
- The base winning amount is set at $15,000 (with adjustments to $10,000 for a shorter game or $25,000 for a longer game) with no "catch-up" opportunity; the first player to reach the set goal wins.
Part of the Hasbro Express Line.
Online Play