Christmas is a time when people overindulge in panettone, drink copious amounts of mulled wine, and fall out with their families over brutally competitive rounds of board games. But what if you had a secret advantage?. Britain's best-known money saving expert Martin Lewis has shared a slew of genius tactics and brilliant Monopoly strategies to employ during your next festive family games' night.
![[Although the most expensive properties start out being the best investment in Monopoly, this changes once houses and hotels are added]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93252731-14202625-image-a-11_1734473880404.jpg)
On his new ITV show, Martin Lewis: How to Win at Board Games, which aired on Tuesday evening, he described himself as 'ridiculously competitive'. The 52-year-old added: 'It's fun winning and it's fun being better at games. Board games bring everyone together.'.
![[Another tactic is to aim to build three houses on each property before you splash out on upgrading them to hotels]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93252095-14202625-image-a-1_1734476063442.jpg)
Although winning at Monopoly may seem like the luck of the draw, Martin explained that there are several things you can do to beat other players and improve your odds. His first tip is to buy as many properties as possible during the early stages of the game.
![[Although he won a round of Monopoly against his colleague Claire during the episode, Martin was gobsmacked when he sat down for a game of backgammon.]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93252735-14202625-image-a-10_1734473876327.jpg)
The first tactic with Monopoly is to buy as many properties as possible in the early stages of the game, Martin said. Martin said that it was also important to calculate the return on investment on each property, meaning how much you purchased it for versus how much you can earn back from rent.
However, not all properties are created equal. Although the most expensive ones start out being the best investment, this changes once houses and hotels are added. Those wanting to win should aim to purchase the three light blue cards which are The Angel, Islington, Euston Road and Pentonville Road, as these can generate the most money once hotels are added to them.
