Finance and Fortune

The Finance Game Company, Knapp Electric, Inc., L. S. Ayres & Co. · Board game · 1932

— Ludopedia 4.9 BGG 2–6 120 min Weight 1.1/5

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— rating Ludopedia

4.9 rating BGG

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Our Verdict

FOR GENRE FANS

If you're a game history buff and love the classic Monopoly vibe, you'll adore this one! It's the grandfather of the game everyone knows.

Highlights

Historical game piece
Simple and straightforward
Monopoly's precursor
Easy to learn

Keep in mind

Luck-dependent
Pacing can be slow
Little strategic depth

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About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey board game enthusiasts! Ready for a trip back to 1932? Let me introduce you to Finance and Fortune, the grandfather of Monopoly! Yes, this is the game that inspired everything we know today about buying properties, collecting rent, and watching our friends go bankrupt (with all due respect!). Originally released as The Landlord's Game back in 1903 by Lizzie Magie, the game was adapted and renamed Finance to avoid trademark issues, and then became a marketing phenomenon. Knapp Electric brought out this version in 1932, and it competed strongly with the Parker Brothers version until the 1960s.

The goal? Get richer than everyone else, of course! Each player starts with some initial cash and earns more with each full lap around the board. The gameplay is straightforward: roll the dice and move. Landed on a property? You can buy it and build! If someone lands on yours, it's time to collect rent. Watch out for Chance (red cards) and Community Chest (green cards) spaces, which can either help you out or cost you money. Taxes and luxury fees are also there to test your luck. If you run out of money and can't pay rent, it's time to say goodbye to the game. This 1932 version still features Community Chest cards, which were removed in later editions. If you enjoy the classic vibe, game history, and a good dose of luck and economic strategy, Finance and Fortune is a playable museum piece worth checking out!

Gallery

Box and component photos

11 photos · from the community

01 / 11

Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players

2 OK

3 OK

4 OK

5 OK

6 OK

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher The Finance Game Company, Knapp Electric, Inc., L. S. Ayres & Co., Parker Brothers

Designer Dan Layman

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

395owners

17wishlist

3want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions

What is the average playtime?

The game is designed to last around 120 minutes, but this can vary greatly depending on the number of players and how quickly they go bankrupt!

How many players can participate?

You can play with 2 to 6 people. It's great for gathering family or friends for a nostalgic match.

Is it a complex game to learn?

Not at all! The rules are very simple, based on the classic "roll and move." Anyone can get the hang of it quickly.

Do I need to be able to read to play?

The text on the cards is minimal and easy to understand, so language dependency is very low. You can play comfortably in English.

Who is this game recommended for?

It's perfect for those who love board game history, enjoy the classic Monopoly mechanics, and don't mind a bit of luck influencing the outcome.

Is it very similar to modern Monopoly?

It's the ancestor! It shares the foundation of buying properties and collecting rent, but some rules and the presence of Community Chest cards differentiate it from more recent versions.