Monopoly House Divided Board Game: Instruction Manual

Introduction

The Monopoly House Divided board game offers a unique twist on the classic property trading game, centered around a U.S. election theme. Players engage in a strategic battle to buy states, earn votes, and ultimately claim the White House. This manual provides detailed instructions for game setup, gameplay, and component overview to ensure an enjoyable experience for 2 to 6 players aged 8 and up.

What's Included

Before starting, verify that all components are present:

• 1 Gameboard
• 6 Candidate Tokens
• 6 Candidate Cards
• 22 State Cards
• 16 Executive Power Cards
• 16 I Voted Cards
• 36 Cardboard Voting Chips
• 40 Plastic Campaign Headquarters (20 red, 20 blue)
• 1 Plastic White House Token
• 2 Dice
• 1 Money Pack
• 1 Game Guide (this manual)

Image: All game components including the board, cards, tokens, and money, displayed outside the game box.

Setup

1. Prepare the Board: Unfold the gameboard and place it on a flat playing surface.
2. Separate Cards: Separate the State Cards, Executive Power Cards, and I Voted Cards into their respective decks. Shuffle each deck and place them face down on their designated spaces on the gameboard.
3. Money Distribution: One player is chosen as the Banker. The Banker is responsible for all money not in play, as well as Campaign Headquarters and the White House. Each player receives an initial amount of money as follows:
   • $500 (x2)
   • $100 (x4)
   • $50 (x1)
   • $20 (x1)
   • $10 (x2)
   • $5 (x1)
   • $1 (x5)
4. Choose Candidate and Party: Each player selects one of the 6 Candidate Tokens and its corresponding Candidate Card. Players are then assigned to either the Red Party or Blue Party. The Candidate Card indicates which party the player belongs to.
5. Place Tokens: All players place their chosen Candidate Token on the "GO" space.
6. Campaign Headquarters: The Red and Blue Campaign Headquarters are kept near the Banker.
7. White House Token: The plastic White House token is placed near the Banker.

Image: The game board fully set up with all components in their starting positions, ready for play.

Operating (How to Play)

Game Objective

The goal of Monopoly House Divided is to acquire states, build Campaign Headquarters, and earn votes. The game ends when all State properties have been purchased. The player with the most votes at the end of the game wins the presidency.

Player Turn

1. Roll the Dice: The player rolls both dice and moves their Candidate Token clockwise around the board the corresponding number of spaces.
2. Action on Space: The action taken depends on the space landed on:
   • State Spaces: If a player lands on an unowned State space, they may buy it for the price indicated. If they choose not to buy it, the Banker immediately auctions it to the highest bidder. Once a State is owned, other players landing on it must pay rent to the owner.
   • Executive Power / I Voted: Draw the top card from the respective deck and follow its instructions. These cards can grant advantages or impose penalties.
   • Go to Jail: Move your token directly to the "Jail" space. You do not collect $200 for passing GO.
   • Fundraiser: Collect money from the bank.
   • Go: Collect $200 when passing or landing on the "GO" space.
3. Building Campaign Headquarters: Once a player owns all States in a color group, they can begin building Campaign Headquarters on those States. Headquarters are built evenly across the States in a group. Each Headquarters increases the rent collected and adds votes.
4. The White House: The White House token can be acquired through certain card actions or by fulfilling specific conditions. The player holding the White House token doubles the rent they charge and gains additional votes at the end of the game.
5. Voting Chips: Players use voting chips to represent their party's influence. Certain actions or cards may require players to vote, which can impact other players or game outcomes.

Image: Close-up of three Candidate Tokens: an eagle, a peace symbol, and a donkey, representing different political affiliations.

Image: Close-up of three additional Candidate Tokens: an elephant, a flag, and a teacup, also representing political themes.

Image: A detailed front view of the White House game token, featuring columns and architectural details.

Image: Six round cardboard voting chips, each featuring a distinct political symbol in red and blue colors.

End of Game

The game concludes once all 22 State properties on the board have been purchased. Players then count their total votes. Votes are accumulated from:

• State Cards owned
• Campaign Headquarters built
• Holding the White House token
• Any votes gained from Executive Power or I Voted cards

The player with the highest total number of votes is declared the winner and becomes the President.

Maintenance

To ensure the longevity of your Monopoly House Divided board game, follow these simple maintenance guidelines:

• Storage: Store all game components in the original box in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe down the gameboard and plastic components if they become dusty. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
• Handling: Handle cards and money with care to prevent bending, tearing, or creasing.
• Small Parts: Keep small components, such as tokens and Campaign Headquarters, organized to prevent loss.

Troubleshooting

Missing Components

If any components are missing upon opening the box, please refer to the manufacturer's contact information for assistance.

Rule Clarifications

For specific rule interpretations not covered in this manual, it is recommended to consult the official Hasbro website or community forums dedicated to Monopoly games. Many common questions are addressed in online FAQs.

Game Duration

While the estimated playing time is 60 minutes, actual game duration can vary based on the number of players and their strategic decisions. To shorten the game, players can agree on a time limit or a lower vote count to win.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

This product is manufactured by Hasbro. For information regarding product warranty, replacement parts, or customer support, please visit the official Hasbro website or contact their customer service department directly. Keep your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.

Hasbro Customer Service: Refer to the contact information provided on the game box or the official Hasbro website for the most up-to-date support options.