The Shortest Possible Monopoly Game? [Video]

In the dark ages of America children and parents did not play games on electronic monitors. During these times of ignorance games were played on folded pieces of cardboard decorated with bright colors and simple printing. These "board games" also used dice and the players had to manually move the pieces by hand around the playing field.

It was during these "gaming sessions" that sometimes went on for hours at a time the players would engage in conversation. Life long  memories and friendships grew out of these primitive sessions and we had what was referred to as fun. Unless you were playing the game of Monopoly with my brother Al.

Al is the meanest, cruelest, most sinister Monopoly player I have ever known. He is very keen with money and very well versed in financial strategy. After I was 11 years old I refused to play Monopoly with him because our games would go something like this.

Truthfully our games would last a few minutes longer than this but not many. It would usually wind up with me just grabbing the board and throwing it across the room accompanied to the sound of laughter from my evil brother.

The game you see illustrated in this video is allegedly the shortest possible Monopoly game that can be played. In an article on the NPR website, a sociology professor at Notre Dame University explained the sequence of the game this way.

Player 1, Turn 1:

Roll: 6-6, Lands on: Electric Company
Action: None, Doubles therefore roll again

Roll: 6-6, Lands on: Illinois Avenue
Action: None, Doubles therefore roll again

Roll: 4-5, Lands on: Community Chest "Bank error in your favor, Collect $200"
Action: Collects $200 (now has $1700)

Player 2, Turn 1:

Roll: 2-2, Lands on: Income Tax
Action: Pay $200 (now has $1300), Doubles therefore rolls again

Roll: 5-6, Lands on: Pennsylvania Rail Road
Action: None

Player 1, Turn 2:

Roll: 2-2, Lands on: Park Place
Action: Purchase ($350, now has $1350), Doubles therefore rolls again

Roll: 1-1, Lands on: Boardwalk
Action: Purchase ($400, now has $950), Doubles therefore rolls again

Roll: 3-1, Lands on Baltic Avenue
Action: Collect $200 for passing GO (now has $1150), Purchase 3 houses for Boardwalk, 2 for Park Place ($1000, now has $150)

Player 2, Turn 2:

Roll: 3-4, Lands on: Chance, "Advance to Boardwalk"
Action: Advance to Boardwalk, Rent is $1400, only has $1300 = Bankrupt

GAME OVER

I personally would prefer Monopoly to be a shorter game. My attention span doesn't usually last that long. I was more of Chutes and Ladders kind of kid. No real thinking, no real math, no real fun, let's go outside and climb trees instead.