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How To Win McDonald’s Monopoly Game

by Jim Wang
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McDonalds Monopoly Game PieceAre you ready? The McDonald’s Monopoly game will be kicking off its 2011 edition early this year, starting on September 20th (last year the game started in October). This year they adjusted the prizes, keeping many of the dollar prizes but adding a few more contests and upping the number of giveaway cars. As there has been since the dawn of time, the million dollar prize remains the belle of the ball but she’ll some competition from several inclusive vacations to Beaches Resorts, the McDonald’s High School All-American game, and even a trip to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The game itself has remained the same. The goal of the game is to collect game pieces you can find on specially marked food products. Those game pieces will come in pairs where you’ll win either instantly or get a property that you need to match with others. Collect all the property from a colored monopoly and win that prize. In each set of properties, there will be a rare piece that basically wins you the prize. Get that rare piece and the prize is basically yours.

The online $10,000 CASHstakes will start on September 20th but the full game won’t begin until September 27th, 2011. Below, we’ll take a look at what you will need to learn in order to win the McDonald’s Monopoly game for 2011.

2011 Rare Game Pieces & Prizes

For 2011, there were some changes to the rarity, the number of prizes, and what the prizes were:

  • Mediterranean Avenue ($50 prize, 10,000 prizes) – 1 in approx. 61,811
  • Vermont Avenue ($100 prize, 3000 prizes)- 1 in approx. 206,036
  • Virginia Avenue ($200 SpaWish® Gift Certificate, 250 prizes) – 1 in approx. 2,472,425
  • Tennessee Avenue (Beaches Resort Vacation, 300 prizes)- 1 in approx. 2,060,354
  • Kentucky Avenue ($50,000, 8 prizes) – 1 in approx. 77,263,275
  • Short Line Railroad (EA Sports Fan Trip, 8 prizes) – 1 in approx. 77,263,275
  • Ventnor Avenue ($100,000, 6 prizes) – 1 in approx. 103,017,700
  • Pennsylvania Avenue (SL MY 12 Nissan Leaf, 2 prizes) – 1 in approx. 309,053,100
  • Boardwalk ($1,000,000, 1 prize) – 1 in approx. 618,106,200

To give you a better of idea of relative rarity within a monopoly set, let’s take a look at the light blue pieces. Vermont is the rare piece with an approximate 1 in 206,036 chance of finding that tile. The other tiles, Oriental Avenue and Connecticut Avenue, are both 1 in 11. Winning that set will net you a hundred dollars.

In-Store Instant Win Prizes

What can you win by peeling off a label?

  • Food prizes: Medium French Fries, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Small Frappé or Smoothie, Regular McFlurry or Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait, any Breakfast sandwich (excluding McMuffin®)
  • Redbox 1 Night DVD Rental
  • My Coke Rewards 30-Point Bundles
  • 20 Snapfish 4″x6″ Digital Photo Prints
  • $5 Walmart Gift Card
  • $10 Gift Card for Gas
  • $50 Cash
  • $50 Gift Card for Gas
  • Kinect for Xbox 360
  • $500 Cash
  • 2012 McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Games Trip for Four
  • EA SPORTS Ultimate Game Room
  • $5,000 Walmart Gift Card
  • Trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games for Four
  • $10,000 Cash
  • $25,000 Cash
  • EA SPORTS Lifetime of Games
  • MY 12 Nissan Z Coupe Touring Model

Online Instant Win Prizes

I really enjoy the online game, probably because it’s online and it’s a game. :) That said, there are plenty of prizes you can win just be putting your codes in at the right time. Whether you win a prize online depends on when you enter a valid code, not what the code says. According to the rules, these “winning times” are set ahead of time and the first user to throw the dice will win that prize. Here are the prizes:

  • 30 My Coke Rewards Points – 3,500,000 prizes
  • Redbox One Night DVD Rental – 500,000
  • 20 Snapfish 4″x6″ Digital Photo Prints – 900,000
  • Snapfish 11″x14″ Poster – 100,000
  • Snapfish 5″x7″ Photo Book – 500
  • $10 EA SPORTS Prize – 100,000
  • $20 SpaWish Gift Certificate – 9,000
  • 1,000 My Coke Rewards Points – 42
  • $50 Cash – 2,880
  • $50 Gift Card for Gas – 200
  • EA SPORTS™ Video Game – 13,500
  • $1,000 Walmart Gift Card 40
  • Beaches Resorts Vacation – 36
  • $5,000 Cash – 7
  • $10,000 Cash – 1

How to Get McDonald’s Monopoly Game Pieces

To get pieces, you have two options – buy McDonald’s food or get them for free by sending in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Here are the food items that give you a game piece:

  • Medium Fountain Drinks
  • Medium and Large Iced and Blended McCafé® beverages incl. Smoothies and Frappés (excludes large Iced Coffee and excludes McCafé® Shakes)
  • Hash Browns
  • Big Mac®
  • 10-piece Chicken McNuggets
  • Egg McMuffin (excludes Sausage McMuffin)
  • Oatmeal
  • Filet-O-Fish
  • 20-piece Chicken McNuggets – two game pieces
  • Large Fries – two game pieces

Cheapest game pieces: The Hash Browns remain the cheapest way to get game pieces if you’re going to buy them. In past years, people have been able to just buy the pieces without the food (so you aren’t compelled to eat or throw out a lot of hash browns).

How to Get Almost Free Game Pieces

Alternatively, you can get game pieces without purchase by sending a handwritten, self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
2011 MONOPOLY Game at McDonald’s Game Piece Request
P.O. Box 49180
Strongsville, OH 44149-0180

Not entirely free, it’ll cost you two envelopes and 88 cents worth of stamps… unless you live in Vermont. If you live in Vermont, you do not have to put return postage on the self-addressed envelope but it still needs to be handwritten (so 44 cents instead of 88).

If you don’t want to buy the food and don’t want to address a million envelopes, you can always “dumpster dive.” If you don’t want to hop into a dumpster, ask other people in the store if they want their game pieces. With so many people going to McDonald’s on a regular basis, it’s no surprise that plenty of pieces go unopened. Some people just don’t care and you can benefit from it.

Trading Game Pieces

Trading game pieces is expressly forbidden in the game rules with a few exceptions (usually for younger participants to transfer them to their parents) but vibrant property trading and selling communities, such as Fatwallet Forums, do exist. Every year the comments on this site and a post on Fatwallet become big deal making threads. Trade at your peril with the understanding that it’s against the rules.

Who Won Last Year?

The winner of the 2010 prize was Jonathan Kehoe from West Allis, Wisconsin, just west of Milwaukee. It’s a nice story of a man who’d been on unemployment and pulled the winning pieces off a medium soda. According to the story, he pulled Boardwalk and Park Place at the same time. The 2009 winner also pulled the game pieces off a drink (sweet tea). I wonder what food item this year’s winner will come from? (another drink?)

If you have a hankering for some legal mumbo jumbo, here are the full official rules. Good luck!

(Photo: sundazed)

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2,671 Responses to “How To Win McDonald’s Monopoly Game”

- Newer Comments »
  1. Wilma says:
    09/19/2011 at 8:21 am

    Guess I’ll be getting out my ladder, gloves and boots. It’s time for McDonalds Dumpster Diving Monopoly. Does this fall under illegal? Where are those rules. =D

    Reply
    • Na says:
      10/01/2011 at 12:41 pm

      Yes it is only illegal if you dont get caught, it is illegal to dumpster dive.

      Reply
      • jason says:
        10/04/2011 at 10:18 am

        Wow, conditional law. :-) By that logic, it’s legal if you DO get caught! But it’s not really getting “caught” if it’s legal. The world is going to explode!

        Reply
  2. Dave says:
    09/19/2011 at 8:26 am

    (I’ll let my inner child of the 80s out this Monday morning) To quote Joshua from War Games:

    “Strange Game. The only winning move is not to play.”

    Your heart will thank you.

    Reply
    • peterau1 says:
      09/27/2011 at 8:39 pm

      I emailed McDonald’s one year and asked why they never put game pieces on the salad items that they sell. They replied that no food purchase was required. Just send a SASE and they would send ‘free’ pieces to me. So I tend to do that. But it is interesting that this year they have put game pieces on their oatmeal in the morning. So add a medium coke zero, diet coke or just fill your medium cup with water and you’ve got a relatively healthy meal and a few game pieces to boot.

      Reply
  3. Matt says:
    09/19/2011 at 9:33 am

    This article should be titled “How to play McDonald’s Monopoly Game” as there are no tricks, tips, or hints on how to win.

    Reply
  4. Bob says:
    09/19/2011 at 9:42 am

    Change the heading of the piece to “How to get Monopoly pieces” because you do not really explain how to win.

    Reply
  5. Steve says:
    09/19/2011 at 1:00 pm

    It’s interesting that drinks are probably the highest margin item. Are the pieces (including rare pieces) randomly distributed amongst all items? Or does McD’s get to decide which items get which set of pieces?

    Reply
  6. skylog says:
    09/19/2011 at 10:32 pm

    is it only medium drinks? not large as well? i do not go to mac do often, but i do love me some orange drink!

    Reply
    • Meggs says:
      10/02/2011 at 3:52 am

      Yes, its only the medium drinks (unless its a smoothie or frappe then its medium and large) however its only the large fries, not the medium ones.

      Reply
  7. amcgrane says:
    09/22/2011 at 2:02 pm

    I was just curious as to how to find out if I have any monies owed to me from over the years. I was directed to this site but I am not finding anything as of yet.

    Reply
  8. Jack says:
    09/25/2011 at 3:35 pm

    The article does in fact say how to win, even though I thought it was obvious how to win….either pull an instant win or collect a matching set. What other kind of tips and tricks are there? Tip: Buy an item with a tag and pull it off to see what it is. Trick: if it an instant winner, then you win. If it is not, set save it to try and match with your next pieces. Hint:you will probably not win much, so dont waste much time or money trying.

    Reply
  9. Michael says:
    09/28/2011 at 12:40 am

    Already got St James n NY ave

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says:
    09/28/2011 at 2:50 am

    I have park place call

    Reply
  11. Gen-I-iz says:
    09/28/2011 at 4:32 am

    Genius. Combine the addiction of gambling (Lottery) with the addiction of food. & Viola, instant jump in food sales during the months of the year most people are not on vacation & more likely to eat out. Capatalism at its finest.

    The NYC average cost of each play at McDonalds food price: $1.89-2.75 for 1 play (Medium drink or Fries) your actually better off just going to play lotto if your in it to win big. This game will get you fat & leave you broke at the same time.

    Reply
    • jason says:
      10/04/2011 at 10:22 am

      Actually I think by default you’re more likely to eat out when you’re on vacation…you know with your kitchen being at home and all… ;-)

      Reply
  12. Mina says:
    09/28/2011 at 10:10 am

    So, I’m kind of confused, Jim. I have a ticket that says “Atlantic Avenue $100,000$” And it list three numbers that I need? I have one of the numbers on the ticket. I guess my question is: Do I now have to find the other two to win? And if I do. How do I go about that? (Buying more drinks?) I also have a Beach Resort Vacation ticket. But, that one does not concern me as much as the Atlantic Avenue ticket.

    Thank you for your time,
    Mina

    Reply
  13. Mr.Monopoly says:
    09/28/2011 at 10:46 pm

    So I am new to this game and today I found boardwalk on my medium drink is that good?

    Reply
  14. Alicia says:
    09/29/2011 at 3:48 am

    Everyone is looking for boardwalk!

    Reply
  15. mcdlex says:
    09/29/2011 at 4:22 am

    I am willing to buy rare tickets. This isn’t spam and I’m in Florida. :D

    Reply
  16. Dex says:
    09/29/2011 at 11:49 am

    I looking for to buy a Park Place ,everyone have it please call me at 647. 8385445

    Reply
  17. Dex says:
    09/29/2011 at 11:54 am

    Hi jay can we put them together and split the prize you can call me at 647 8385445

    Reply
    • Anthony L. Brown says:
      09/30/2011 at 1:45 am

      OK, I have Park Place and I had other offers for the game piece. Just wondering since the game just started, you do not have Boardwalk. I am willing to listen to a legitimate offer. We are all adults here, so please no games, pranks or BS.

      Thank you

      Reply
  18. lalo says:
    09/29/2011 at 2:26 pm

    looks like somone else gots it.

    Reply
  19. monopoly says:
    09/29/2011 at 4:09 pm

    dose anyone have ventnor ave. if you do e-mail me at allisonedelman@aol.com i live in florida

    Reply
  20. jj says:
    09/29/2011 at 5:17 pm

    i have park place

    Reply
  21. Free Money says:
    09/29/2011 at 8:58 pm

    Heres a tip. Order a water. They are free and you get a cup with the peel on it. hope it helped

    Reply
    • jr says:
      09/30/2011 at 12:28 pm

      Water comes in 16 ounce WATER cups ONLY med 21 ounce cups only come with pieces ask for a medium water and you will have to pay a dollar for it

      Reply
  22. Heidy says:
    09/29/2011 at 9:36 pm

    I just got 2 10 piece chicken nuggets and neither had any game pieces, if I were to email mcdonalds do you think they would give me the 4 pieces I am owed?

    Reply
  23. Fredrick says:
    09/29/2011 at 10:35 pm

    Hey if anybody near Kansas City has a boardwalk or Kentucky avenue please email me Fred2006_jrc@yahoo.com. I would be more than willing to share the winnings.

    Reply
  24. kenny says:
    09/29/2011 at 11:07 pm

    I bought a lot of empty medium drinks. I have a little over 100 pieces. Im only missing one piece from each set. Im not looking to sell really unless it theirs benefits. I won some money last year. Feel lucky? Email me. south is d o w n AT hot m a il dot c o m

    Reply
  25. Mr.Monopoly says:
    09/29/2011 at 11:20 pm

    Wait I am confused what should I do with the Boardwalk?

    Reply
  26. sandy says:
    09/30/2011 at 4:19 am

    i have all the pieces except the rare ones. anyone wantin to split??

    Reply
  27. gorf says:
    09/30/2011 at 9:09 am

    I have 6 boardwalks

    Reply
  28. calvin says:
    09/30/2011 at 11:21 am

    You guys aren’t fooling me, all of you claiming that you have Park Place, yeah right. I got Boardwalk last week. Everyone gets Boardwalk. If only I had Park Place

    Reply
  29. melbourne,fl says:
    09/30/2011 at 11:44 am

    I have park place ,North carolina ave, pacific ave, marvin gardens, illinois ave,indiana ave

    email
    mo_zyeen AT ayhoo.com

    melbourne,fl

    Reply
  30. jr says:
    09/30/2011 at 12:21 pm

    I also have every piece and no rare ones

    Reply
  31. ss says:
    09/30/2011 at 1:00 pm

    You are wrong about it excluding sausage mcmuffins and iced coffees. I get an iced caramel mocha when I have early classes, and when I got one the other day, also with a sausage mcmuffin, they both had stamps.

    Reply
  32. Burger King says:
    09/30/2011 at 1:56 pm

    I’m willing to sell Park Place for $23.85. Any takers?

    Reply
  33. jriggins says:
    09/30/2011 at 2:46 pm

    What is the cheapest way to find the other tickets. I am looking for parkplace and ventur.

    Reply
  34. monopoly says:
    09/30/2011 at 3:33 pm

    dose anyone have boardwalk or tennessee ave. or ventnor if you do e-mail me at allisonedelman@aol.com i am willing to trade or maybe pay

    Reply
  35. yy says:
    09/30/2011 at 4:26 pm

    can you use any game pieces from any Mcdonalds? Like different towns or states if you are traveling?

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says:
    09/30/2011 at 8:20 pm

    For real. boardwalk. is over produced. it’s bullshit. anyone wanna drive t alaska ill sell it for 50$.

    Reply
  37. youre kidding says:
    09/30/2011 at 8:56 pm

    It’s like some of you people dont know how to read. it clearly states above that finding boardwalk is like, a 1 in approx. 618,106,200. the chances of you having boardwalk and NOT park place is slim to none.

    Reply
  38. jamie says:
    09/30/2011 at 11:06 pm

    Hi,
    I got Ventner, anyone got the other yellow ones?
    Thanks

    Reply
  39. darlene says:
    10/01/2011 at 12:40 am

    I WON $5.00 WALMART GAME PIECE,CANT FIND ANY WAY TO CLAIM IT.NOTHING ON WALMART.OR MCD SITE WITH ACURATE INFO

    Reply
  40. Sar says:
    10/01/2011 at 1:18 am

    Anonymous, I will buy it and I live in Alaska email me at krane.kick@gmail.com

    Reply
  41. precious says:
    10/01/2011 at 4:22 am

    Anyone have ventor .send me an email we .can split 50/50. Precious.Robinson@Yahoo.com

    Reply
  42. lol says:
    10/01/2011 at 8:05 am

    You guys are idiots! No one had Boardwalk on this site and no one is really going to pay for Park Place! Park Place is always one of the most common pieces.

    Reply
  43. Chad says:
    10/01/2011 at 9:06 am

    I’ve got 8 Boardwalks and 6 Park Places. Let me know.

    Reply
  44. Mary says:
    10/01/2011 at 11:22 am

    Do you all really think that someone who has a rare tile is going to sell it to you so you can split the winnings with the? Knuckleheads.

    Reply
  45. ashley says:
    10/01/2011 at 11:57 am

    I have. 334 343 345
    323, 325
    329 331
    338 339
    337
    341
    333
    327
    322

    ashley@gmx.com

    Reply
  46. SurfNTurf says:
    10/01/2011 at 1:25 pm

    I have 2 of just about every piece besides Kentucky, Boardwalk, Pennsylvania Ave, and Short Right. I’ll sell them for $4 a piece. Email me at st2136@yahoo.com

    Reply
  47. skylog says:
    10/01/2011 at 2:40 pm

    this post has turned ugly. quick.

    Reply
  48. Fredrick says:
    10/01/2011 at 4:26 pm

    If someone has Ventner avenue I have the other two. If you do not mind splitting half of the winnings and live near Kansas City I am game.

    Reply
  49. hadin says:
    10/01/2011 at 5:15 pm

    Does have boardwalk or Pennsylvania Ave?

    Reply
  50. dumb says:
    10/01/2011 at 5:27 pm

    These guys are geniuses, mass producing park place so idiots think they actually have a chance at the million so they buy more.

    Reply
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