That's awesome news about
Merchant of Venus, Shadowlander! Thanks! (I know several friends, among them Ryadian's father, will also be pleased).
Not to play.
I understand.
Your reply reminds me of the end of the movie
WarGames.
One possible answer to the Monopoly strategy question...
A statistically-minded friend has studied the Monopoly board and played a lot of games, and has concluded that the orange properties on the standard board (St James Place, Tennessee Avenue, and New York Avenue) are the best single monopoly on the board. This is due to the luck of the dice: they are all close to 7 squares past the Jail square, and 7 is the most likely roll on 2 dice. (And there are several ways players get sent to Jail, adding to the likelihood these properties will be landed on).
The monopolies on either side of these are also good.
Other notes: Boardwalk and Park Place are popular, but if other players have a monopoly you're less likely to win with them (they're only 2 spaces rather than 3). The smallest monopoly (Mediterranean and Baltic Avenues) usually is insufficient to win you the game alone. The railroads are a nice monopoly but offer no opportunity for growth.