[housenuts]

trust me, monopoly is a game of skill. i play at work and would say i win at least 75% of the games. there is definitely strategy to it. however, i think once you have a good grasp of the strategy there isn't much more to learn so if you are playing with a bunch of well versed players then luck would be more of a factor.

there is actually monopoly strategy books. i was reading one that i found at my aunt and uncles cabin last summer.

of course you have to know 7 is the most commonly rolled dice number. that factors into some decisions. also the book listed in order the most likelihood properties would be landed on. this is derived from dice roll combinations and from advance to... cards from community chest and chance. i think another big factor is to never buy houses unless you can buy 3 for each property. the rent difference between 2 and 3 houses is huge and with 2 it's not really worthwhile because people would have to hit your properties 3 times to get the money back for it.

there is also more strategy involved when you play by the monopoly rules. in most home games if you run out of houses or hotels people allow you to make your own out of coins or whatever. in the real rules you can't do this so sometimes it is strategic to leave 4 houses on a property so your opponent can't buy any because there are none left.

lastly i don't buy railroads or utilities. they are a waste of money and properties are much better. however often when playing with stupider people i will buy these because i know i can trade them for a property or for extra cash.

people often won't trade you a property if it will give you a monopoly. but if you have one of a colour, and the 3rd of that colour is still on the board then i usually always try to make a deal for the 2nd of that colour from whoever has it because you have a good chance of landing on the 3rd one yourself and bingo, you got a monopoly.

last advice, when you are in jail late in the game...stay there! there is no sense paying to get out because you still collect money when you are in jail and you don't have the fear of landing on someones property. but you have to come out if you roll doubles or on your 3rd turn, but you may as well stay for as long as possible.