How to Set up a Monopoly Game

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Playing Monopoly is lots of fun, but there are several game components that can make setting up the game a bit confusing. If you have never played Monopoly before or if it has been a while since you played, having a guide to setting up the game may be a good idea. Just remember that the sooner you get the game set up, the sooner you can play and have fun!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Setting Up the Game

1
Check the components. Before you start setting up the game, you may want to take a moment to make sure that you have all of the pieces. Some missing pieces can be substituted, such as the dice or game pieces, but other items, like the game board and money, are essential. Make sure that you have all of the following game components before you get started:^{[1]
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- game board
- Monopoly money
- banker’s tray
- Community Chest cards
- Chance cards
- Title Deed cards
- 32 houses
- 12 hotels
- game pieces
- three dice
2
Set up the board. Choose a flat playing surface to play your game, such as a table or the floor. Then, unfold the game board and place it on your chosen surface. Make sure that you place the board so that all of the players can easily access the game board.^{[2]
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3
Shuffle and stack the cards. The Community Chest cards and the Chance cards each have a designated spot on the board. Shuffle each stack separately and then place the stacks on their spots on the board. Make sure that the card stacks are facing down.^{[3]
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4
Make sure the money is organized. The game goes faster if the money is well-organized in the banker’s tray before you get started. If the money looks a bit messy, take a few minutes to sort it by bill type ($500s, $100s, $50s, $20s, $10s, $5s, and $1s).^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Preparing to Play

1
Gather some people to play with you. If you haven’t already decided who is going to play with you, gather your players now. Monopoly is a great game to play with large and small groups alike because you can have between 2-8 players. It is ideal for players ages 8 and up, but you can always team up younger kids with older kids or adults to make sure that everyone is included.^{[5]
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2
Have everyone choose a piece. There are eight pieces to choose from in Monopoly: top hat, thimble, shoe, battleship, racecar, Scottie dog, wheelbarrow, and cat.^{[6]
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3
Choose someone to be the banker. The banker should be willing to do more than the other players during the game, since he/she will be responsible for handing out money to other players for passing Go and handling property purchases. Make sure that you chose someone who is trustworthy as well because the person who is the banker can cheat more easily than other players.^{[7]
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- Before starting the game, place all of the properties, houses, hotels, and money near the banker.
4
Distribute starting money. Before you start playing, the banker will need to give each player his or her starting money. Each player gets $1,500 to start the game. The $1,500 should be provided in the following denominations:^{[8]
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- 2 $500s
- 4 $100s
- 1 $50
- 1 $20
- 2 $10s
- 1 $5
- 5 $1s
5
Start the game! After you have everything all set up, you will be ready to start playing Monopoly. Just make sure that you read through the rules if you have never played before and make sure that your fellow players know the rules as well.

Community Q&A

Question

Why are there three dice?

Community Answer

If there are three, you roll them all at the same time, add that up and you move up that much, but I think there's meant to be only two.
Question

How much money do I get if I land on GO?

Community Answer

From the official rules: "Each time a player's token lands on or passes over GO, whether by throwing the dice or drawing a card, the Banker pays that player a $200 salary. The $200 is paid only once each time around the board." So you will get the $200 if you land on it (and you will not get it again for passing GO on your next turn).
Question

What is written on the Chance and Community Chest cards?

Community Answer

The Chance cards cause a player to earn or lose money, and the Community Chest is birthday money, prize winnings, etc.