The MONOPOLY Companion: The Players' Guide [Paperback]

Philip Orbanes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2007

After more than 50 years, Rich Uncle Pennybags has finally decided to tell the world everything he knows about the history, rules, and winning strategies of the world's most popular board game. Profusely illustrated.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mr. Monopoly is the leading expert on the world's most popular board game-the MONOPOLY game-and has been since 1936! Often called 'the MONOPOLY Man" or "The Chairman of the board," the venerable financier has here consented to share his secrets for the very first time. Born in Atlantic City, he still lives nearby with wife Madge, who frequently baby-sits nephews Andy, Randy, and Sandy.

Philip Orbanes has made the game business his career, spurred by his very first encounter with the MONOPOLY game at age eight. A graduate of Case Institute of Technology, he headed the research and development department at Parker Brothers for many years and is currently President of Winning Moves, Inc. He also served as Chief Judge at the National and World Monopoly Tournaments from 1979 through 1992. He and wife Anna have two grown sons, both of whom are avid gamers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140275406X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402754067
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, January 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Monopoly Companion (Paperback)

I recomend this book to anyone and everyone who plays Monopoly. It is a fun read while at the same time giving great stats and tips as to how to play the game. Ever since I read the book, I rarely lose (pretty much only lose to my brothers who have also read it or to friends who ally against me to stand a chance).

I've found that it is a fine companion book, and does fine to supplement the official rules(so I put it in my monopoly box and leave the rules with the sets I don't use). It may have editorial errors...but the "error" that the disgruntled reader pointed out is not an error...the "second player to your left" is the same as the "second player following" unless you're going counterclockwise...because after you take a turn, the "first player to your left" goes...followed by the second player to your left...so I don't see the problem there.

The only problem I have with it, is that I follow the rules too carefully, so now when I talk about building shortages or making deals between others turns my friends think I'm making up rules.

Go get this book and enjoy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Beginners to Intermediate Players, June 18, 2004

By 

Marcos Helms (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Monopoly Companion (Paperback)

Playing Monopoly can be a long endeavor, especially if you play with people who don't know the official rules. If you have endured such hardship, you could recommend this guide to such beginning players.

This book basically gives a lot of tips to the game that most novice players don't know. One of these tips is knowing which monopolies are the most powerful on the board (and it's not Park Place and Boardwalk most of the time!). It is entertaining and can be easily read in one afternoon. There is quite a bit of filler, though, if you just want to get to the nitty-gritty of how to improve your play. His "interview format" with Uncle Moneybags is humorous, but can drag on if you're just in the market for how to become a Monopoly master.

In the end, it's an enjoyable book for most beginners and intermediate players, but can irritate a player who is quite familiar with the game and just looking to get to the highest levels of gameplay.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The best book on Monopoly available, unfortunately..., July 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Monopoly Companion (Paperback)

...it's the only book that's still being published. It covers the basics, but there is so much more to Monopoly than the book does not address. I got a copy of "The Monopoly Book" by Maxine Brady when I was a kid about 20 years ago, but unfortunately, it's "publisher out of stock". The latter book has better coverage of strategy and tactics, IMHO.

If you're interested in a book I'm planning to write covering Monopoly strategy and tactics book and the game's interesting social and group dynamics, please drop me an email message.

Also, I just discovered an interesting Web site and book about "antimonopoly"