The various types of cards
The cards are categorized into several types that have different roles. One type of card is the simple rule card. There are four of these. There are also 39 property cards which include 9 bi-colored property wild cards, 28 normal property cards and 2 multi-coloured property cards. There are 20 money cards which are divided into 1 10M card, 2 5M cards, 3 4M cards, 3 3M cards, 5 2M cards and 6 1M cards.
Finally, there are 47 action cards that can be used as money cards. They are divided into 3 ‘It’s My birthday cards’, 3 ‘Debt collectors cards’, 3 houses, 10 pass Go cards, 2 hotels, 3 ‘Just say No cards’, 2 deal breakers, 3 Forced Deal cards, 3 any rent cards, 3 Sly deal cards, 2 double the rent cards and 10 color rent cards.
Function of the cards
Property wild cards
The color of these cards change at will of the owner. The owner can change during his or her turn. However, no changes are allowed during other player’s turns.
Multi-colored property wild cards
These cards can substitute whichever color of properties. They are not valued in the game and do not represent any property color on their own. They represent the color of another property card in play under one owner. Even though the cards don’t act as payment, Deal breaker, Forced deal action and sly deal cards can still take these cards.
Bi colored property wild cards
These kinds of cards have two colors, and they can substitute one of the colors displayed on the card. For example, a brown and light blue card can substitute either brown or light blue properties.
Normal property cards
These are the critical to game play. The winner of the game is the one who acquires 3 full sets of different colored properties.
Multi colored rent cards
With this card, you can collect rent from one of the colors of the properties you own, from one opponent. The bank value of this card is 3M.
Rent cards
With this card, you have the power to collect rent from one of the properties you have from all opponents. For example, if you play a red and yellow card on your turn, you have the power to collect rent from opponents in either red or yellow properties. Rent can only be collected from only one set. Payment can be settled by taking properties from a full set. The bank value of this card is 1M. Rent wildcards allow you to charge one opponent of your choice rent on a set of properties / property that you own.
Double the rent
With this card, you have the power to double the amount of rent you receive. These cards should be played alongside/ immediately after the rent cards. When you play it along with the rent card, it still counts as 2 of your 3 possible moves in your turn. This is as per Hasbro rules. The bank value of this card is 1M.
Forced deal
You are able to swap a property card with an opponent but cannot swap a property card in a full set of properties. The bank value of this card is 3M.
Sly deal
You are allowed to steal a property card from one opponent, but it is prohibited to steal a property card from a full set of properties with this card. This stolen property can be then added to your collection. This card can also be deposited in the bank, and it has a value of 3M.
Just say No
This card can be played any time in the course of the game to negate the actions of an opponent like ‘It’s my birthday’ or 2 color rent card. A just say no card can cancel out both rent card and double rent card in one go (Hasbro rules). Interestingly, another Just say No card can be used to cancel out another just say no card played previously. The cards have no impact if played during your turn. Therefore, it can be played even if you have already played three cards in your turn. The bank value of this card is 4M.
Deal breaker
This card is remarkably powerful as it allows you to steal a full set of property cards from one opponent including buildings. The set has to be complete or the opponent has to have similar colors, but the properties have to be separate for them to be stolen. It can also be deposited in the bank, and it has a value of 5M.
It’s my Birthday
With this card, you are allowed to collect 2M from all the opponents. The bank value of this card is 2M.
Debt collector
You are able to collect 5M from one opponent with this card. This card can also be deposited in the bank, and it has a value of 3M.
Pass go
You are required to draw 2 additional cards form the draw pile. It is allowed to play more than one pass go card in a single turn. The bank value of this card is 1M.
House
This card can be placed on any full set of properties but not on utilities and railroads. Its purpose is only to add the rent value. Only a single house can be added to a full set of properties. This card adds 3M to the rent total. However, its bank value amounts to 3M. When a property set with a house/ hotel in it is split, the hotel/house is transferred to the bank. The house/ hotel cannot be moved from one complete set to another.
Hotel
After adding a house action card, and only then, can this card can be played on any full set of properties. Only a single hotel can be added to a full set. This adds 4M to the rent total. However, the bank value of this card is 4M.
Money cards
These are deposited in the bank for paying fees to opponents. Fees include; debts, gifts and rent. These money cards have different values and colors. 1M cards are yellow, 2M cards are reddish-orange, 3M cards are green, 4M cards are blue, 5M cards are purple, and the 10M card is golden orange.
There are other rules which are formulated by fans of the game to make the game more fair; commonly referred to as house rules. They are meant to make the game fairer by lessening the powers of some of the cards; like the deal breaker.