Monopoly turns 90 — and a world champion says the secret is simple: buy orange
Monopoly turns 90 — and a world champion says the secret is simple: buy orange
Monopoly turns 90 — and a world champion says the secret is simple: buy orange
Gary Oberholzer
Monopoly turns 90 — and a world champion says the secret is simple: buy orange
Few games have caused as many family arguments, dramatic table flips, and competitive rivalries as Monopoly — and this year the legendary board game celebrates its 90th birthday.
Originally released commercially in 1935, Monopoly has become one of the most successful board games ever made, spawning countless editions around the world — including South African versions featuring streets like Eloff Street, Adderley Street and Musgrave Road.
On HOT 1027 Breakfast, Parky, Simon and Bunny were chatting about the game this morning after discovering something surprising: there’s actually a Monopoly World Championship where players compete for the title of best Monopoly player on the planet.
And yes — there are real strategies.
The world champion’s advice
One former world champion, Jason Bunn, says one tactic stands above the rest: Buy the orange properties.
These tend to deliver some of the best returns once houses are built, largely because of how players move around the board after leaving jail. More traffic means more rent — and more rent means more bankrupt opponents.
His other advice?
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Buy almost every property you land on
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Build three houses quickly
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Use jail strategically
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And master the art of negotiation
The Breakfast team knows the struggle
If that all sounds a little too calculated, the HOT 1027 Breakfast team admitted their own Monopoly games weren’t exactly strategic masterpieces.
Parky recalled growing up with the South African board and the chaos that followed whenever the dice came out.
“Monopoly is also the cause of some of the best family fights that have ever existed.”
Producer Justin even revealed that he stubbornly stuck to one strategy throughout his childhood: buying only the most expensive properties.
His brother took the opposite approach — buying everything else and building houses.
The result?
“He’d just cripple you financially every time you landed on his properties.”
According to Monopoly experts, Justin’s brother may actually have been closer to the winning formula.
Hear what HOT 1027 Breakfast had to say below:
Monopoly doesn’t have to last all night
Another surprising tip from the world champion: Monopoly games shouldn’t take hours.
If players follow the official rules — including auctions and building houses early — games can be finished far quicker than most families expect.
So how do you actually win?
According to competitive players, the winning formula looks something like this:
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Buy as many properties as possible early
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Target high-traffic sets like the orange properties
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Build houses quickly
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Use trades to complete colour sets
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Think long-term, not short-term
Or as the world champion puts it:
If you want the best shot at winning your next Monopoly game…
Buy orange.
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