The air is getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and the lines at the McDonald’s drive-thru are getting longer. That’s right, it’s that time of year: McDonald’s Monopoly time. We’re pushing it to the limit, just like old times.
McDonald’s Monopoly 2008 Overview
Just like the last few years, we’re providing full analysis and coverage of the game as it’s played. Unfortunately, at first glance, McDonalds Monopoly 2008 looks incredibly unremarkable. Unlike some previous years where players stood to take home nearly unlimited store credit at Best Buy (I bought a computer, monitor, 88-key electronic synthesizer, a black-light, and more using Monopoly money), this year players are going to be taking home a lot of useless percent-off coupons to Foot Locker.
The official rules for McDonalds Monopoly 2008 are posted now, and one thing I can tell you already, is that McDonald’s is cheating. Check out the section on the “Pre-Promotion Sweepstakes” – it says you could register any time since September 23rd. That is complete bullshit. The site only has been up as recently as yesterday – we’ve been repeatedly checking (the official site, btw, is PlayAtMcD.com). There was no way to register for the pre-promotion since the site wasn’t up, so like usual, the odds of winning anything are slanted against you.
General Rules
McDonald’s Monopoly 2008 will run at participating stores in the U.S. and Canada (and their respective territories) between October 7, 2008, and November 17, 2008. The game is open to just about anyone besides foreigners and employees or family members of employees of McDonalds or other companies participating in the prize pool.
How to Play, How to Win
Players can win one of five ways:
- Pre-promotion sweepstakes (see controversy below)
- Collect & win by forming a winning combination of Monopoly properties
- Instant win
- Guaranteed bonus, included with select menu items, gives customers percent-off coupons from Foot Locker
- Online game, using 10-digit codes found on the Monopoly game stamps, for an additional chance to win instantly
Game pieces can be obtained without purchase as outlined in the official rules (the usual handwritten-in-blue-ink S.A.S.E. method), although most people will obtain their game pieces with the purchase of any of these menu items:
- Medium and Large Fountain Drinks
- Medium and Large Premium Roast Coffee (except iced or specialty coffee, or in Puerto Rico)
- Hash browns
- Big Mac Sandwich
- Angus Burger Sandwiches
Additionally, “Guaranteed Bonus” game pieces are available with the purchase of any of these menu items:
- Large French Fries
- Premium Chicken Sandwiches
- Southern Style Chicken Sandwich [lol]
- McSkillet Burrito
Note that the rules specifically forbid the “sale, trading, or barter” of game pieces or codes, so forget trying to buy game pieces on eBay or SellStuff!.
Game Prizes and Odds
It’s a little bit tight to fit into this page, but you can also view this spreadsheet on Google Docs.
Free play, free codes, etc.
The good news is, like any sweepstakes in compliance with the law, it’s still “no purchase necessary” to play. Unfortunately, like I mentioned earlier, it looks like if you buckle down and write out a bunch of self-addressed stamped envelopes, you’re going to get mailed back a bunch of worthless Foot Locker coupons and losing McDonald’s Monopoly pieces. Unlike previous years, there is no ‘free code’ – the previous free code, “I6L6V4N4T2”, is now the code used to register for the pre-promotion. What pre-promotion, you wonder? That’s right, you wonder, because no one would have been able to use the free code since, as pointed out earlier, the official site wasn’t working as recently as yesterday.
McDonald’s text-message spam
And for the love of god, don’t use their text-message (SMS) based sweepstakes, as it automatically adds you to a mailing list to receive McDonald’s spam on your phone, at your expense. If you jumped the gun, did this, and now wish you hadn’t, you can opt-out of McDonald’s text message spam at any time by texting the word STOP to 96363.
Conclusion
In summary, 2008 McDonald’s Monopoly is the least thrilling yet. I would stop short of saying it sucks already, since I haven’t fully analyzed the rules (although I will).
Feel free to post comments about how you’ve lost despite repeatedly playing, about how you’re ‘so close’ to winning, how you just need ‘one more piece to win’ (you’re the only one, LOL). And remember folks, anyone claiming to have the rare pieces is a liar – once a rare piece is collected, the common pieces are easy to get.
48 responses so far ↓
1 McDonald’s Monopoly 2007 | INeedAttention.com // Oct 7, 2008 at 7:52 am
[…] Yes, we have updates for McDonald’s Monopoly 2008 […]
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[…] Yes, we have updates for McDonald’s Monopoly 2008 […]
3 McDonalds Monopoly: Ba da ba ba ba, I’m Lovin’ It | INeedAttention.com // Oct 7, 2008 at 7:54 am
[…] Yes, we have updates for McDonald’s Monopoly 2008 […]
4 nikki // Oct 7, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Just to let you know if you belong to mickey d’s email list you were able to get a free code and enter it over a week ago. That is how it happened for me. plus I got a free code today, and I have not bought any food yet. just an fyi
5 JenanWood // Oct 8, 2008 at 7:47 am
I’ve been posting up-to-date info on McDonald’s Monopoly 2008, and some people are putting up the properties/game pieces they’ve gotten and are looking for whoever has the pieces that complement theirs to split bigger winnings.
Also, as fas as I know there are only 2 free codes out as of now.
6 Angela // Oct 8, 2008 at 3:53 pm
The only free codes I know are I6L6V4N4T2 and also … WN100KADAY. Does anyone know any other free codes ?
7 bob // Oct 16, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I have a black arches avenue. any info on this?
8 Angela // Oct 16, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I’ve seen people selling them on eBay, even though it’s not allowed. They’re usually selling a plain white piece of paper with a bonus free mcdonalds game piece. Any thoughts? Will eBay pull these if they catch them?
9 Jay // Oct 17, 2008 at 6:06 am
Here’s a free code that McD’s emailed to me today: PLSCOM3BAK I think I got it because I hadn’t been to the site very often.
10 Joe // Oct 17, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Arches Ave is the common piece in the black monopoly. If you get your hands on one of the sixteen golden avenue pieces, you will get $100,000.
BTW here is a list of the rare pieces:
http://www.amazing-bargains.com/mcdonalds2008.html
11 steven // Oct 23, 2008 at 9:11 am
I just went through the drive thru and I got this medium cup stuffed FULL of peices. the chick gave it to me cuz she said she cant participate and if they drop a cup they have to throw it away but they are not allowed to throw the game peices off, thus, they just put them in a cup.
i recieved over 73 game peices… all common peices.
this basically told me that it isn’t worth it. i dunno about u guys, but f’ this.
12 lynette // Oct 23, 2008 at 10:23 am
Did some win the million dollar priza at Walmart in mays landing new jersy
13 lynette // Oct 23, 2008 at 10:23 am
did someone winnthe million dollars in mays landing nj?
14 josh // Oct 23, 2008 at 4:21 pm
hey i have arches ave and was wondering if anyone has golden and wants to split…e-mail me joshmortensen13@hotmail.com
15 Marva // Oct 23, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I think alot of people have arches ave. Why would anyone split when they only need one golden arches ave.
16 Max // Oct 24, 2008 at 10:42 am
i have the arches have number 272 anyone who has 271 i’m more then willin to split the $100,000 prize right down the middle i bought one large fry and that shit was on there so anyone looking to win a life changing amount of money contact me asap you can find me on myspace at myspace.com/i_have_add thanks guys good luck
17 MADRED // Oct 24, 2008 at 3:52 pm
i just spent about 40 minutes waiting in line for a shake & fries because some jac%%& ss McDonalds delivery truck driver had the other order line blocked @ 5pm in the afternoon. good timing superman. i finally get to the window, check with the guy to make sure the game pieces come on the shake cups(he told me on ly large)place my order, drive up to 2nd window and no game pieces. the girl said oh we’re out right now….i said so there’s none on the fries, no, she said. some other girl says, you can go on line and get one free……i said one free is not the same as 4 tickets…..Give me a Break People. Then of course they say, have a nice day. I was so mad i almost tossed the food back at them and said now its a nice day.
18 rrpostal // Oct 25, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Wow, you really wanted those worthless little waxy pieces of paper, eh? Statistically speaking you have almost the same chance of someone just deciding to give you lots of money as you do of winning anything other than a free sandwich in this game. Not to mention if you go into any McDonalds in the country and complain about “something”, they’ll give you free food anyways.
19 ANTOINETTE // Oct 26, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I NEED TENNESSE, WHO EVER HAVE IT WE CAN SPLIT UP THE MIDDLE. I’M NOT GREEDY.
20 david breitfeller // Oct 26, 2008 at 5:44 pm
i have # 273/#269/#268/#267/#265/#263#264/#259/#261/#256/#257/#255/#253/#280/#252/ #275 /#277/#276 if u need email me at dbreitfeller@yahoo.com or if u have 1 i need this is 4 the 2008 mcdonald’s monopoly
21 Keith // Oct 26, 2008 at 8:05 pm
There are actually 3 free codes:
I6L6V4N4T2
WN100KADAY
PLSCOM3BAK
22 Challen // Oct 27, 2008 at 10:55 am
Let’s get together and split whatever winnings we can come up with.
I have
272, 273, 268, 269, 265, 264, 261, 256, 257, 253, 255, 275, 277, 280
I need
274, 271, 270, 266, 267, 262, 263, 259, 260, 258, 254, 276, 278, 251, 252, 279
If you need any of the pieces that I have or have any of the pieces I need, get back to me so we can work something out.
23 Veronica // Oct 28, 2008 at 7:32 am
I HAVE 272, 273,268,269,265,263,264,259,261,256,257,253,275,276,277,280, AND DUPLICATES OF THESE. ANYONE NEED ANY OF THESE?
24 Veronica // Oct 28, 2008 at 7:33 am
my email is lamazkarinoza@netzero.com
VERONICA
25 bukhumnoy // Oct 28, 2008 at 8:28 am
i need 271,274,270,266,267,262,260,258,254,255,278,251
email me ill pay
26 bukhumnoy // Oct 28, 2008 at 8:29 am
baojboi919@hotmail.com
27 Aisha // Oct 29, 2008 at 4:15 am
if anyone had any duplicate codes that they havent used yet only please email me at doctorblackstock@yahoo.com thank you.
28 matt // Oct 29, 2008 at 1:58 pm
i have
252,256,280,281,264,272,265,257,261,269,289,252,259,263,277,273,253,255,267,276,268,
256,275
any buyers or traders
29 matt // Oct 29, 2008 at 2:05 pm
any codes u dont want that arnt used then email me at mattn79@Gmail.com
30 scott // Oct 29, 2008 at 3:06 pm
willing to split 60/40 i only need 251,254,258,260,262,266,270,271,274,278,279
31 scott // Oct 29, 2008 at 3:49 pm
willing to split 60/40 i only need 251,254,258,260,262,266,270,271,274,278,279
scott.miller@med.navy.mil
32 Eve // Oct 29, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Um…yeah…I get addicted every year and every year it is a waste of money. I’ve played both the paper game and the online game and have nothing to show for the 100 pieces I’ve collected and codes I’ve entered. I’ve been around the board more than 25 times and always land on nothing that matters or something I already have. I somehow thought that rolling the dice online would give me a better chance but it is all an algorithm to make sure you don’t land on the ones you need. I hate myself for even caring enough to research this f-ing SCAM! It’s great marketing but poor public relations. It’s only changed slightly since 2001 to meet the bare minimum of sweepstakes game play and beat the FBI. I hate them and we should TRY to boycott it next year altogether!! I need one of everything on paper and online and have for three weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Frickin McDonald’s! You should see the odds of getting the rare pieces – it’s triple the odds of winning the F-ING POWERBALL!!! Don’t believe anyone that has one! Save your money and your arteries! It’s not worth the time or trouble. DONE!
33 Chris // Oct 29, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Here are the pieces I have.
-(2) #257- Sates Avenue
-(1) #273- Park Place
-(1) #253- Oriental Avenue
-(1) #268- Pacific Avenue
-(1) #269- North Carolina Avenue
-(1) #275- Reading Railroad
-(1) #276- Pennsylvania Rail Road –
-(1) #277- B&O Rail Road
-(1) #267- Marvin’s Garden
-(1) #272 Archers Avenue
-(1) #263 Indiana Avenue
-(1) #261 New York Avenue
-(1) #255 Connecticut Avenue
-(1) #252 Baltic Avenue
-(1) #280) Electric Company
christopher.johnson05@saintleo.edu
34 Chris // Oct 29, 2008 at 11:38 pm
CHITEN- i have four of the ones you need (276,252,267,263)
BUKHUMNOY- i have two of the pieces you need (255,267)
WILL SELL FOR CHEAP!!!
35 JULIA // Oct 30, 2008 at 6:22 am
Here are the pieces I have:
#273 Park Place
#272 Arches Avenue
#268 Pacific Avenue
#269 North Carolina Avenue
#267 Marvin Gardins Avenue
#265 Atlantic Avenue
#264 Illinois Avenue
#263 Indiania Avenue
$251 New York Avenue
#259 St. James Place
#257 States Avenue
#256 St. Charles Place
$255 Connecticut Avenue
#253 Oriental Avenue
#277 B&O RR
#276 Pennsylvannia RR
#275 Reading RR
#252 Baltic Avenue
#280 Electric Company
If you want please email jgido@aol.com
36 Bronzo // Oct 30, 2008 at 2:47 pm
WTH is wrong with you people, I dont know why you idiots waste your time posting what you have. Did you read any of these mcdonalds reviews at all? If someone somehow gets thier hands on one of the rare pieces (they won) why the hell would they split it with you morons?
They wouldnt, diaf.
37 animelord1 // Nov 1, 2008 at 1:20 pm
i have:
(1) #273 – Park Place
(1) #265 – Atlantic Avenue
(1) #264 – Illinois Avenue
(2) #261 – New York Avenue
(1) #256 – St. Charles Place
(1) #257 – States Avenue
(2) #275 – Reading Railroad
(1) #276 – Pennsylvania Railroad
(2) #252 – Baltic Avenue
(1) #280 – Electric Company
Will sell for $5 for all of them ’cause im starting to not give a crap anymore, email me at
animeoverlord1@mchsi.com
put monopoly game pieces as the subject
my name is Jeremy
38 Anthony Giorgi // Nov 3, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I just got an Arches Avenue. Are they any good on their own?
39 Derek // Nov 4, 2008 at 8:38 pm
i have 268,269,252,273,277,258,255,254,263….dont play this dumb game…dont know whats common and rare…e-mail me if these any use to u.
40 Derek // Nov 4, 2008 at 8:39 pm
dirty4missusa@hotmail.com
41 Carol // Nov 5, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I need 278, 274, 262, 263, 269, 270, 256, 258, 266, and 267. E-mail me at nah8903@yahoo.com
42 lexy // Nov 9, 2008 at 1:16 pm
i have #267
if anyone wants it they can have the code?
43 lexy // Nov 9, 2008 at 1:17 pm
i also have #273 park place
&& #253 oriental avenue
44 lexy // Nov 9, 2008 at 1:18 pm
lexyxfxbabi@aol.com
45 andrew // Nov 11, 2008 at 7:30 pm
im interested in it
46 andrew // Nov 11, 2008 at 7:35 pm
i have tons if you need any let me know
47 Barbara // Nov 20, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I won 2K collecting States, Virginia, and St. Charles. I didn’t even know I had the “rare” piece until I got States and completed the set. I didn’t realize how they configured the rare ones. I’ve already sent my redemption packet off. I just wonder how long it takes to get your dough. It’d be nice if they had some sort of status monitoring thing. I’d like to have it for Christmas!
48 Victoria // Dec 3, 2009 at 4:51 pm
The UK version was almost at disgusting, i can eat about a quarter of a bigmac, which usally included disecting the burger the cheese and the pickles and calling it a day. I watched Morgan Spurlock enough times in a month to relise winning a Mini Cooper, car, so isn’t worth corinary heart disease, yum! Oh my days, my qwerty keyboard on my phone done my intellegance no justice there, excuse my Shrekesque finger tips.
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