Monopoly Money in Hand: A Classic for the Modern Player
The Monopoly Money in Hand slot by Barcrest is a fascinating fusion of one of the world’s most iconic board games with the thrill of a modern online slot. Released in 2018, this game has steadily gained a following, particularly among those who enjoy a blend of nostalgia and high-paced casino action. Similar to other popular titles like Monopoly Bring the House Down and Monopoly Grand Hotel, Monopoly Money in Hand continues the tradition of transforming the beloved board game into engaging slot experiences that appeal to both new and seasoned players. This review will delve into the various aspects of the game, offering an authoritative and insightful look at why it has become a favorite among slot enthusiasts.
Overview and Theme
Monopoly Money in Hand brings the beloved board game to life with a fresh, colorful take on its familiar elements. The game is set on a 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 fixed paylines, which is fairly standard for online slots. However, what sets this game apart is its rich theme and engaging features that evoke the classic Monopoly experience. The symbols include traditional Monopoly icons like the top hat, the dog, the cat, and of course, the Monopoly Money, which serves as the game’s wild symbol.
Visually, Monopoly Money in Hand is a treat. The graphics are sharp, vibrant, and highly reminiscent of the board game, complete with the same charm that has kept Monopoly popular for decades. The sound design complements the visual elements with retro-style music that enhances the nostalgic feel, making you feel as though you are back at the table with family and friends, rolling the dice and buying properties.
Key Features and Gameplay
One of the standout aspects of Monopoly Money in Hand is its versatility in betting options. The game is designed to cater to both casual players and high rollers. The minimum bet starts at just $0.50, making it accessible, while the maximum bet can go up to $500, which is perfect for those looking to take bigger risks.
RTP and Volatility The game offers a variable Return to Player (RTP) rate depending on the size of your wager:
- Bets under $2 have an RTP of 94.1%
- Bets of $2 and above have an RTP of 96.1%
- The Big Bet mode offers a highly competitive RTP of 98.1%
This range makes the game appealing to different types of players, whether you prefer smaller, frequent wins or you’re chasing bigger payouts with higher stakes. The slot is classified as having medium to high volatility, which means while the big wins may not come around as frequently, they can be quite substantial when they do.
Special Features Monopoly Money in Hand boasts several features that keep the gameplay exciting:
- Wild Symbols: The Monopoly Money symbol acts as the wild and can substitute for other symbols to form winning combinations. This symbol plays a crucial role in the Big Bet and free spins rounds.
- Free Spins: Landing three or more scatter symbols triggers the free spins feature, where you can win between 8 to 50 free spins. What makes this feature even more exciting is the Gamble Feature, allowing you to risk your free spins for a chance to win even more, with a potential maximum of 25 spins per gamble.
- Big Bet Mode: This is where the game truly shines for high rollers. The Big Bet Mode offers four different betting options ($20, $30, $40, and $50), each adding more value and enhancing the gaming experience. For instance, the $20 Big Bet gives you five linked spins with sticky wilds, while the $50 Big Bet introduces hotel reel extensions that significantly boost your winning chances by expanding the reels.
- House and Hotel Extensions: In higher Big Bet modes, you can unlock these reel extensions, which add extra rows to the reels, thereby increasing your potential winnings. The House extension adds one row, while the Hotel extension adds two rows, turning a 5×3 reel into a 5×5, offering many more ways to win.
Payouts and Winning Potential
Monopoly Money in Hand is generous when it comes to potential payouts. The maximum win is capped at $250,000, which, while not the highest in the slot world, is still a very attractive figure. The game’s symbols are also well-balanced in terms of payout:
- Monopoly Money Symbol: Pays up to 500x your stake in Big Bet mode.
- Top Hat, Dog, and Cat: These mid-tier symbols can pay up to 200x, 100x, and 100x your stake, respectively.
- Face Cards (10, J, Q, K, A): These are the lower-paying symbols, with payouts ranging from 10x to 40x your bet.
What Else to Know?
Monopoly Money in Hand operates with a straightforward set of rules designed to make gameplay both accessible and engaging. The slot features 5 reels and 3 rows with 10 fixed paylines, and wins are formed by aligning matching symbols from left to right on these paylines. Players can bet anywhere between $0.50 and $500 per spin, offering a wide range of options to suit different budgets and play styles. The game’s wild symbol is the Monopoly Money icon, which substitutes for other symbols to help create winning combinations, and becomes especially valuable during certain features like Big Bet mode and free spins.
Special features in Monopoly Money in Hand significantly enhance the gameplay. The Big Bet mode is a highlight, offering four levels of enhanced play, each corresponding to different bet sizes ($20, $30, $40, and $50). These levels add features such as sticky wilds, respins, and reel extensions, which increase the chances of winning by expanding the game’s grid.
Additionally, the game offers a free spins feature triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols (the ‘Go’ icons), with the potential to win up to 50 spins. Players can also opt to gamble their free spins for a chance to increase the number of spins, adding an element of strategy and risk to the gameplay.