Monopoly

When we first created our game room, we were on the lookout for great decor with a gaming theme. We wondered: what items will draw the attention and curiosity of our guests? What will inspire a spirit of fun and play?

I'll be honest: Monopoly hasn't hit my table in at least 10 years. Yet it remains in my game collection as one of my must-own games. I, along with millions of others have many memories of playing the game as a child, which mostly was instrumental in teaching me what it felt like to lose miserably to my older and smarter siblings. Nowadays, I am much more interested in playing newer, fresher, more appealing titles — but I also respect the past and plan to teach Monopoly to my children so they can take part in the tradition when they are ready to learn it.

I grew up believing that Monopoly had been invented during the Great Depression by an unemployed man who played it around his kitchen table while dreaming of summer vacations in Atlantic City, New Jersey. So, imagine my surprise to discover a very different history while researching for my "Why I Love Monopoly" article in the Winter 2014 issue of Casual Game Insider. Here is some bonus historical material that I did not include in the magazine article.

The Winter 2014 issue of Casual Game Insider is now in stock and available for sale! Print and digital versions are available.