Overview

Ghettopoly is a Monopoly-variant board game created by David Chang and released in 2003. It follows standard Monopoly mechanics – players roll dice, move around a square board, buy properties, collect rent, and try to bankrupt opponents. The game replaces Monopoly’s thematic elements with an urban street theme: houses become crack houses, hotels become projects, railroads become liquor stores, and Community Chest / Chance become Ghetto Stash and Hustle cards. The game was controversial upon release.

Components

• 1 game board
• Loan Shark tray (functions as the bank)
• 40 crack houses (equivalent to Monopoly houses)
• 17 projects (equivalent to Monopoly hotels)
• Pink Slip cards (equivalent to property deeds)
• Ghetto Stash cards (equivalent to Community Chest)
• Hustle cards (equivalent to Chance)
• 7 game pieces (Pimp, Hoe, 40 oz, Machine Gun, Marijuana Leaf, Basketball, Crack)
• Counterfeit money (game currency)
• 2 dice

Setup

1. Place the game board in the center of the table.
2. Place all crack houses, projects, and money in the Loan Shark tray.
3. Shuffle Ghetto Stash and Hustle card decks separately. Place face-down on designated board spaces.
4. Each player selects a game piece and places it on the “Go” corner.
5. Each player receives starting money from the Loan Shark.
6. Pink Slip cards are placed next to the board.
7. Determine first player by rolling dice (highest goes first).

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Roll Dice

Roll both dice and move your piece clockwise around the board that many spaces.

2. Resolve Space

Depending on where you land:

• Unowned property: You may buy it by paying the listed price to the Loan Shark and taking the Pink Slip card. If you choose not to buy, it may be auctioned.
• Owned property (by another player): Pay rent to the property owner (amount listed on Pink Slip card).
• Ghetto Stash space: Draw a Ghetto Stash card and follow its instructions.
• Hustle space: Draw a Hustle card and follow its instructions.
• Tax/shakedown space: Pay the specified amount to the Loan Shark.
• Liquor stores (railroads): Standard railroad rules – rent increases with more owned.
• Utilities: Standard utility rules.
• Go to Jail corner: Go directly to jail.
• Free Parking: No action (house rules may vary).

3. Build (optional)

If you own all properties in a color group, you may build crack houses and projects on those properties (following standard Monopoly building rules – even distribution required).

4. Trade (any time)

Players may trade properties, money, and get-out-of-jail cards at any time.

5. End Turn

Pass dice to the next player.

Actions

Buying Property

Pay the listed price on the board space to the Loan Shark. Receive the corresponding Pink Slip card.

Collecting Rent

When an opponent lands on your property, collect rent as specified on the Pink Slip card. Rent increases with crack houses and projects built.

Building

• Must own all properties in a color group (monopoly).
• Build crack houses evenly across the group.
• After 4 crack houses on each property, upgrade to a project (return crack houses to supply).

Jail

• Go to jail by landing on the “Go to Jail” space, drawing certain cards, or rolling doubles three times.
• Get out by: paying a fine, using a get-out-of-jail card, or rolling doubles.

Bankruptcy

If you owe more than you can pay, you must sell crack houses/projects, mortgage properties, or trade. If still unable to pay, you are bankrupt and eliminated.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Win: Be the last player remaining (all others bankrupt).

Alternate end: Players may agree to end at a set time; the player with the most total assets (cash + property values + buildings) wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Doubles

Rolling doubles grants an extra turn. Three consecutive doubles sends the player to jail.

Mortgage

Properties can be mortgaged to the Loan Shark for cash (half of purchase price). Mortgaged properties do not collect rent. Unmortgage by paying the mortgage amount plus 10% interest.

Liquor Stores

Four liquor stores function like Monopoly railroads. Rent increases with each additional liquor store owned: 1 = base rent, 2 = double, 3 = quadruple, 4 = eight times base.

Passing Go

Collect a set amount of money each time you pass or land on Go.

Ghetto Stash and Hustle Cards

These cards provide random bonuses or penalties – collect money, pay fines, move to specific spaces, or go to jail.

Player Reference

Turn: Roll dice -> Move -> Resolve space -> Build (optional) -> Trade (any time)

Building Progression: Crack Houses (up to 4 per property) -> Project (replaces 4 crack houses)

Key Equivalencies to Monopoly: | Ghettopoly | Monopoly | |————|———-| | Crack houses | Houses | | Projects | Hotels | | Liquor stores | Railroads | | Ghetto Stash | Community Chest | | Hustle | Chance | | Loan Shark | Bank | | Pink Slips | Title Deeds | | Counterfeit money | Monopoly money |