This one really gets me, because no on ever believes its in the rules until I get them out and point it out.
> Whenever you land on an unowned property you may buy that property from the Bank at its printed price. You receive the Title Deed card showing ownership. Place the title deed card face up in front of you. If you do not wish to buy the property, the Bank sells it at through an auction to the highest bidder. The high bidder pays the Bank the amount of the bid in cash and receives the Title Deed card for that property.
> Any player, including the one who declined the option to buy it at the printed price, may bid. Bidding may start at any price.
That rule alone completely changes the dynamic of Monopoly, transforming it from a dirge like plod around the board desperately hoping you'll roll the right number for the property you want, into a game in which people will near bankrupt themselves to buy a property they don't want an opponent to pick up.
To be clear, I certainly didn't doubt you were right -- I can barely remember the last time I played. We had an old busted up version at our cabin. I certainly can't remember the last time I read through the rules booklet.
> Whenever you land on an unowned property you may buy that property from the Bank at its printed price. You receive the Title Deed card showing ownership. Place the title deed card face up in front of you. If you do not wish to buy the property, the Bank sells it at through an auction to the highest bidder. The high bidder pays the Bank the amount of the bid in cash and receives the Title Deed card for that property. > Any player, including the one who declined the option to buy it at the printed price, may bid. Bidding may start at any price.
From http://richard_wilding.tripod.com/monorules.htm#buyingproper...
That rule alone completely changes the dynamic of Monopoly, transforming it from a dirge like plod around the board desperately hoping you'll roll the right number for the property you want, into a game in which people will near bankrupt themselves to buy a property they don't want an opponent to pick up.