[driftless2]

The last time I played Monopoly, I was about 11 or 12 years old. I always lost because I usually played with my older brother (the ultimate competitor) who never told me what the best strategy should be. He always urged me to buy Baltic Avenue or some of the other cheapies. I had no idea what I was doing and couldn’t figure out why I was always losing. However, he never challenged in Scrabble, because I was always pretty good at that game. However, there’s one person I could never beat...my mother...and she beat me pretty good too.

[Dr. Sivana]

He always urged me to buy Baltic Avenue or some of the other cheapies.

Actually, Baltic and Mediterranean have their place. I have won many a game playing slumlord. I like to put four houses on all of the cheapies (add Oriental, Vermont and CT Ave.) (20 houses for only $1,000) which can often create a serious housing shortage if anybody else is building. You won't bankrupt anybody with it, but you can improve your standing, and keep other players from building.