What happens when you go bankrupt in Monopoly?
First you must try to raise money by selling buildings and mortgaging property. If you still can't pay, you're bankrupt and out. If you owe a player, they get your mortgaged properties and Get Out of Jail Free cards; if you owe the Bank, your properties are auctioned.
The rule:
In Monopoly, if selling buildings and mortgaging can’t cover your debt, you’re bankrupt and out: a player you owe gets your mortgaged properties and Get Out of Jail Free cards, and if you owe the Bank, your properties go back to it and are auctioned.
Step 1, raise money: sell houses and hotels back to the Bank for half price, and mortgage properties.
Step 2, if you still can’t pay: you’re bankrupt.
| You owe… | What happens to your property |
|---|---|
| Another player | They get all your mortgaged properties and any Get Out of Jail Free cards |
| The Bank | Your properties go back to the Bank, mortgages are cancelled, and each is put up for auction straight away |
If a player takes your property: the new owner must straight away either pay off the mortgage, or keep it and pay the Bank 10% of the mortgage value now.
If you owe the Bank: any Get Out of Jail Free cards you hold go to the bottom of their decks.
The end: everyone else keeps playing until only one player is left. That player wins.
Example:
Leo owes Sam $600 in rent and has sold every house and mortgaged everything, but still comes up short. He's bankrupt: Sam takes Leo's mortgaged properties and his Get Out of Jail Free card, and Leo leaves the game.
Why players argue about it:
Players argue over who gets a bankrupt player's property and whether the mortgages carry over.