A Monopoly World Champion has generously shared his top strategies for winning your next family game night—and his first piece of advice is to prioritize purchasing the orange properties!
This year, as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the iconic board game, Jason Bunn, a former world champion, opened up to the SWNS news agency about his tried-and-true tactics for success.
Jason emphasizes the importance of investing in the orange properties—namely St. James Place, Tennessee Avenue, and New York Avenue in the American version, or Bow Street, Marlborough Street, and Vine Street in the UK edition. These properties are known for providing the best returns, making them a smart choice for aspiring Monopoly magnates.
The enthusiastic grandfather advises players to seize every opportunity to buy properties they land on, even if they seem undesirable at first. Accumulating properties can significantly enhance your negotiating power during the game.
At 65 years old, Jason is eager to share eight additional expert tips that can help players outmaneuver their opponents and lead them to bankruptcy!
This milestone anniversary also commemorates the moment on March 19, 1935, when Parker Brothers acquired the rights to Monopoly. It’s fascinating to note that the game’s foundational concepts were originally created and patented by Lizzie Magie, a Quaker who aimed to illustrate the pitfalls of land monopolization through her invention, The Landlord’s Game.
Reflecting on his journey, Jason reminisces, “I won the World Championships in the 50th anniversary year—and that seems like a long time ago now.” He achieved this remarkable feat in 1985.
His path to championship glory began when he spotted an advertisement in a local newspaper inviting contestants to a regional competition. Out of 50 competitors, he emerged victorious and earned the chance to compete in London for the British Championships, ultimately winning and earning a ticket to New York where he claimed the title of World Champion.
What started as a childhood hobby quickly blossomed into a lifelong passion. Over the past four decades, Jason has assembled one of England’s most impressive Monopoly collections, now comprising around 500 unique boards. Among his prized possessions is a handcrafted Welsh edition featuring exquisite wooden inlays and solid silver pieces valued at $800.
“Whenever I went on holiday, I’d buy the local Monopoly edition like others buy postcards,” he shares. His delightful collection includes themed boards inspired by popular franchises like Star Wars, Game of Thrones, X-Men, Coca-Cola, and even Elvis!
The excitement of new releases is irresistible for him: “When I see something new, I just have to have it. I must be the easiest person in the world to buy gifts for.”
Even now, Jason enjoys playing Monopoly during family gatherings and believes that the game doesn’t have to drag on for hours. Remarkably, he once completed two games within a one-hour lunch break! He suggests that the ideal game length is around 30 minutes, and that family disagreements often arise when players overlook the official rulebook.
In Jason’s eyes, the enduring popularity of Monopoly is truly remarkable. “What other trademark has lasted this long?” he questions, celebrating a game that has brought joy to countless families for generations.
Here are a couple of Jason’s valuable tips to enhance your Monopoly game:
- Snap up the orange set: The orange properties yield the best returns, especially since players often land on them after leaving jail.
- Build three houses quickly: Getting to three houses on a property can significantly increase rent and put pressure on opponents.
