80 years ago, the first Monopoly board game hit the market. Though the company celebrates the official anniversary in March, the game wasn't on store shelves until November 5. And that's just one of the little-known-facts about one of America's best-loved games.

• The roots of Monopoly date back to a game called the Landlord's Game invented by Elizabeth Magie in 1903.
• Over 3 trillion dollars in Monopoly money has been printed since 1935.
• Even though most people play it like this, there's no rule that says to put "Community Chest" and "Chance" money in the middle of the board and then pay it out to the player who lands on "Free Parking."
• It's easier to win with low-rent properties because players land on them more often and they're cheaper to develop.
• It's not just an American game: Monopoly is played in 114 countries and has been translated into 47 languages.

When it was invented, Monopoly played very much like a "landlord's game". But now there are so many themes you can barely count them, so you can play any kind of Monopoly you like, including versions created just for your favorite movies, TV shows, places and sports. But the play is still the same. And so is the winning strategy.

Your "Let's Pass Go & Collect $200" Gift Guru,
Linda