Well, it’s here once again. And at a weird time, too! McDonald’s big money maker. That’s right. The Monopoly Game at McDonald’s is back.
And yeah. I know that this is a little late. The contest has been out for a week now and I am now finally talking about it? Considering how busy I have been, I have reasons for the delay. But now, it’s finally here. So enjoy.
For years, Rich “Uncle” Pennybags has teamed up with the Golden Arches to create a contest that has been unmatched by any other. The greasy and fat laden food of McDonald’s mixed with one of Parker Brothers most popular board games of all time. This is Monopoly: 2016 McDonald’s Edition. And like all other contests before, you’re playing for keeps, with REAL money to win.
As much as I love this contest, I find it strange that the contest is so early this year. Typically, the Monopoly Game at McDonald’s begins around late September and ends in late October. This time, the contest started March 29th, ending in late April. Considering that they have done this in the past in the summertime when I was younger, I guess I don’t find it odd now that they are having the contest early again.
In the more recent years, I have made a spreadsheet to tabulate all the game pieces that I have collected throughout the duration of the game. In the past, I have collected every single game piece except the winning game pieces: Short Line Railroad, Mediterranean Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Virginia Avenue, Tennessee Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, Ventnor Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, and of course, Boardwalk.
And it’s clearly understandable why I haven’t collected Boardwalk yet when you look at the odds. This year, McDonald’s has 513,591,720 game pieces in circulation. Of those game pieces, 131,879,647 of them are food prizes. I have already won six of them since the contest started: a McGriddle, three medium fries, and two Frappes. With a 1 in 4 chance of winning food, you have a good chance of winning something when you’re playing this game. However, the food prizes are not what I’m after. I’m after the rare game pieces with impossible odds. The odds for the rare game pieces are as follows:
Mediterranean Avenue: 1 in 578,543
Vermont Avenue: 1 in 51,359,172
Virginia Avenue: 1 in 51,359,172
Tennessee Avenue: 1 in 102,718,344
Kentucky Avenue: 1 in 102,718,344
Ventnor Avenue: 1 in 102,718,344
Pennsylvania Avenue: 1 in 102,718,344
Short Line Railroad: 1 in 2,567,959
For Boardwalk, it’s the rarest of all. For Boardwalk alone, I have a 1 in 513,591,720 chance to get it.
And just to let you know, I already have Park Place. With a 1 in 11 chance, Park Place is easy to get. All I need is Boardwalk…
Muse: You’re never going to get it. If you do, you can get some new clothes. The fashion that you’re wearing is totally outdated.
I may not, but I still love playing the game. And…Wait a second! Your clothes are totally different from yesterday.
Muse: Well, duh! Those threads were downright embarrassing. My whole wardrobe was outdated so I had to throw everything away!
You sound totally different from yesterday.
Muse: Well yeah. Here. Put this on, quick! A white Henley shirt and a light red Chino. I can’t look at you until your fashion’s up to date.
*sigh* Fine. I’ll put on these “trendy” expensive clothes for your sake. There. They’re on. Okay?
Muse: Phew! I thought I was going to pass out from your outdated fashion. We’ll clean out your closet later. It’s a fashion nightmare.
You’re not cleaning out my closet.
Muse: And those socks are out. I’ll get you some new ones later. Low-cut cashmere is totally in right now.
I HATE low-cut socks! The other clothes that was wearing was perfectly fine!
Muse: Yeah. Fine for a fashion loser! Get with the latest fashions already!
No. I’m not. It’s way too expensive and I don’t care about the brands.
Muse: You are going to wear those clothes if you are going to be in my presence. If I see you without them, I will put them back on with my Intangible abilities.
So you’re really not giving me a choice, huh?
Muse: No. I’m not. The people that I’m with are up to date. I don’t hang out with fashion disasters.
*sigh* Fine. Dress me up like a Barbie doll.
Muse: You mean Ken? Gladly. You don’t know a thing about fashion, so you’ll need my help.
Let’s get back to the contest. I still love playing the game.
Muse: At least you win food, right? Well, cheap food. We’ll talk about that later…
That’s true, but it’s really like getting some of your money back. The most worthwhile food prizes are McFlurries, in my opinion..
Muse: Well, let you know if you win.
You’re not playing?
Muse: I’m not interested that junk. But if you find Boardwalk, let me know.
I will. Don’t you worry.
Muse: Time to prepare dinner! Oh, and I got to read today’s fashion magazine! Later!
So now my Muse is obsessed about fashion? Yesterday, she was the Muse from day one. I’m guessing that she’ll be something different tomorrow. It will probably be something different each day for this 100-day cycle.
About my pursuit for Boardwalk. With this being just day eight of the contest, my hunt for Boardwalk has just begun. The high for today is going to be 36 degrees and the silver lining is the Monopoly at McDonalds contest beginning recently. Tonight at dinner, I’ll have another chance to find Boardwalk.
To those of you who love the Monopoly contest like I do, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.
Muse: Advancing to Boardwalk – 2016 Edition? I guess it’s a little different from last time. I wish that his clothes was as up to date as that contest. If he finds it, I’m definitely going to buy him all new clothes…