People divided by unknown Monopoly rule for buying property that will cause ‘chaos’

Brits have been left divided after someone shared a ‘chaotic’ Monopoly rule that appears to have gone unnoticed by most folks.

If you want to start a huge fight with your family, there are few better ways than whipping out the Monopoly board - before you know it you’ve called your nana a liar, squared up to your brother, and lashed tiny houses and hotels all over the place.

And now one player has spotted a seemingly little-known rule that will almost certainly cause some kick-offs next time you play.

Posting a screenshot of the rulebook on the r/CasualUK subreddit, the person wrote: “Next time you are playing Monopoly, cause chaos by invoking this completely standard rule.”

So what is the rule? Well, if - like me and most others - you and your family have played a bit fast and loose with the rules you may be completely unaware about what happens when you land on an empty property and don’t buy it.

Pexels/Suzy Hazelwood

The rule states: “If you decide not to buy, the Banker must immediately auction the Property for sale to the highest bidder, starting at any price that another player is willing to pay.

"Even though you declined the option of buying at the original price, you may join in the bidding, too.”

There's also no official starting price for Monopoly auctions, with anyone able to kick off the bidding from £1 - so things can get petty and longwinded very easily.

Despite the game being around for decades most people were unfamiliar with the rule, with one person writing: “Look. Christmas is already fraught enough without this tomfoolery. Chaos. Pure chaos.” Fair point.

Another said: “Never knew this rule until playing on an iPad the other day, even then I thought it was made up just to make the game quicker.”

Reddit

While a third, somewhat dramatically, stated: “I’ve never heard that rule before! I’ve never read the rule book because I was taught to play by my parents and foolishly assumed they were teaching me how to play properly. I’ve been lied to my entire life!”

Someone else joked: “Breaking up families one Reddit post at a time.”

However, others said that they already used the rule and insisted it makes the game quicker and better.

“Yeah we do that. You don’t already? There’s always a possible bargain to be had with this method,” said a fellow Monopoly fan.

And another commented: “This rule is amazing for when there’s only one other player with not much money. You can auction the property and buy it for a tiny amount.”