It is a game often accused of bringing out the worst in people.
But not so for Brisbane's Tony Shaw.
The 26-year-old university student, who took on the nickname YOLO Kardashian on game day, lived up to his moniker with a streak of luck and ambition to capture the Australian Monopoly championship on Friday.
The first-time competitive player pulled off a risky trade at the half-way mark of a four-strong final at the Police and Justice Museum in Sydney.
Three players, Shaw among them, were trailing financial planner Daniel Bryant, whose slick capitalisation on lucky die throws had him out in front with an enviable portfolio.
Something daring was needed to dislodge the cashed-up frontrunner and a restless crowd vented their displeasure at the players' defensive tactics.
"No one ever won on Old Kent!" muttered antsy onlookers milling around the table.
As one threatened to start a chant of "Flip the board! Flip the board!", a Hail Mary trade was made, splitting the spoils.
Mr Shaw, fingers tipped to his temples, banked on the red set of properties: The Strand, Fleet Street and Trafalgar Square.
"The last three rolls, they all landed on my houses and I got a thousand from all of them," cackled Shaw gleefully in victory.
He lifted his car-shaped trophy to chants of "Tony! Tony!".
Mr Shaw will travel to Macau next month to represent Australia at the 14th Monopoly world championships and a shot at $A26,000 in prize money - real prize money.
He will also hold the title of national monopoly champion for the next five years.
"I'm just a dude. The fact that I managed to get here is just ridiculous," he said.
"Mum is going to freak out."
Beaten finalist Michael Hicks lamented the result.
"At the end of the day it's just a game," he said.
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