A Monopoly world champion has revealed the tricks you should learn if you wish to become a serial winner of the popular board game.
Nicolò Falcone, a lawyer from Venice, Italy, is the reigning world champion, having picked up the prize of $20,580 - the face value of all the money in the bank in the game - when he won the title in Macau, China. He says that while professional players know all the game's tips and tricks, those who only get the game out at Christmas or on other special occasions might benefit for his knowledge of its secrets and tactics.
Nicolò won the first world championships seven years ago, and with the 2021 world championships cancelled because of the Covid pandemic, he is waiting to learn when he can defend his title in an event staged every four to six years. Speaking to the Guardian, he said: “People ask for tips and I tell them to buy three houses on each property when you own a complete set. Also, jail is your enemy at the beginning of the game, but your best friend towards the end.
“By then, if you go to jail, stay there for as long as possible because you can collect money off your properties but you don’t go around the board paying other players. There are also Monopoly 'heat maps' which show the places that are landed on the most.”
He stresses that players must read the rules properly. He said: "Knowing them properly will help you win. For example, you can buy and build houses any time between other people’s turns, not only when it’s your turn.”
Nicolò won his world title in a game that took just 47 minutes. He said: “That is not because I am the Maradona of Monopoly but because I know the rules. It shouldn’t be a five-hour game.”
Since becoming world champion, Nicolò has developed a stand-up comedy routine based on his experience of competitive Monopoly and has started working with Comedy Central.
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