<p>That's not as bad as actually trading all of one of your resources away for other things, and then using "Monopoly" to get it all back. I've seen people play that way before.</p>

<p>Underhanded, yes. Illegal, no. The problem with playing this way is that it can really poison the friendly feel of the game. I had a player who used this tactic, as well as other aggressive ones like extorting good trades from people by threatening them with the robber. When someone plays like that regularly, the best way to deal with it is for others to gang up on them, which then leads to arguments about people being out to get them, and grudges held between games. It wound up being so bad that I stopped playing Settlers if this other player was going to be there.</p>

<p>As far as just using trade offers to find out what people have, that's not nearly so bad. Heck, you don't even need to do that; you can keep track of what resources everyone has. The only way someone might get resources that you don't know about are with the robber, but that leaves the same set of resources on the table, just in a different person's hand. So, you shouldn't even have to do this; just keep better track of what resources people earn and what they spend. If you can't remember, just try and think back for what the last few numbers rolled were, and what the last few things they built; you should be able to work out pretty well what they have a lot of.</p>

<p>If you offer trades to people, and then just grab the resources with "Monopoly" instead, they'll think that's cheap and feel burned; you've gotten their hopes up for a trade, and then dashed them by stealing resources. If you just keep track of what resources they have, and then seem to "magically" guess the right ones, they'll be disappointed that they lost the resources, but impressed that you managed to get so lucky with your "guess." How would you rather people feel about you?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-10T10:09:06.663Z
You think Catan has a friendly feel?  You obviously play in very different groups to me!  Blocking people on purpose, threatening the robber, trading before monopoly are all _expected_ tactics to use.  If you were playing it in a tournament, then you would find this happens all the time.
xorsyst
CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-22T14:08:35.243Z
2010-10-23T04:15:11.733Z
2010-10-23T04:15:11.733Z
Brian Campbell
<p>Yes, it's lame :P.</p>

<p>But at my table you wouldn't be reprimanded, but expect future trade to get a little more difficult. This is an awesome way to get the rest to gang up on you.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-22T09:46:30.583Z
2010-10-22T09:46:30.583Z
Powertieke
<p>Well, its not illegal.  It is... a bit underhanded.</p>

<p>I'd change the way I played with you, but I wouldn't house rule it away or anything.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-22T08:18:06.037Z
2010-10-22T08:18:06.037Z
Kevin Montrose
<p>The <a href="http://www.catan.com/faq-page/93" rel="noreferrer">Settlers of Catan FAQ</a> offers an <strong>official answer</strong>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Monopoly - In order to find out which
resources my opponents have, may I first offer them trades and then
play my Monopoly card?</p>
<p>Yes. However, players are not compelled to
provide correct information on the resources they have.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In short:</p>
<ol>
<li>Yes, you may ask probing questions about what resources others have</li>
<li>No, they need not <em>answer</em> honestly.</li>
<li>When Monopoly is played, all players <strong>must surrender</strong> the named resource regardless of what they answered previously. (per the <a href="http://www.catan.com/files/downloads/soc_rv_rules_091907.pdf" rel="noreferrer">official rules</a>)</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
<p>Monopoly: If you play this card, you must name 1 type of resource. All
the other players <strong>must</strong> give you all of the Resource Cards of this type
that they have in their hands.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-20T22:41:02.393Z
Wow, it's actually in the FAQ :D. They could've also just linked to this site ;).
Matthijs Wessels
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-20T19:03:49.697Z
2014-11-20T20:14:23.167Z
2020-06-17T09:01:24.697Z
hexparrot
<p>I think it's awesome.  If you milked some resources out of me with a trade, and then mono'ed them to the traded goods back, I would first scream in pain, and then offer you a hearty congratulations.</p>

<p>I am surprised so many people think it's poor form.  The first time I saw someone do it, I thought it was simply brilliant.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2010-11-18T22:58:48.487Z
2012-11-01T12:29:59.597Z
2012-11-01T12:29:59.597Z
rrenaud
<p>In the real world, monopolistic business practices are lame and objectionable.  I see no reason why playing the evil, evil Monopoly card in as evil a fashion as possible.  Preferably accompanied with the twirling of one's moustache, and/or the line "I didn't come to this island to make friends".</p>

<p>Seriously, it's a game!  In which the actions you take may make life harder for the other players.  Is it "objectionable" to move the robber onto another player's tile instead of the Desert?  Yes, the more "underhandedly" you behave the more likely it is that the other players will stop trading with you, or otherwise act to make your life more difficult.  But let's try to remember that being fairly despicable in a competitive in-game persona is NOT the same as being despicable in real life.  Anyone who holds a grudge after the game has been cleared away is taking things a little <i>too</i> seriously.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-11-18T22:11:56.703Z
2010-11-18T22:11:56.703Z
thesunneversets
<p>To counter the move, I make it clear at the begining of the game that if you ask if I have any brick, I may not tell you the truth. If you ask if I want to <em>trade</em>, that's a different question, and I can say no without implying I don't have any. I may also say, 'maybe,' when I don't have the requested resource, then turn down the ensuing trade offer. Doesn't work if you're playing with people with good memories, but how many of us pay scrupulous attention to every resource people pick up?</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2011-02-28T06:24:42.950Z
2011-02-28T06:24:42.950Z
shawnschirmer
<p>This is absolutely allowed.  From the <a href="https://www.catan.com/faq/basegame" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Catan FAQ</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Development Cards – Progress – Monopoly - In order to find out which resources my opponents have, may I first offer them trades and then play my Monopoly card?</p>
<p>Yes. However, players are not compelled to provide correct information on the resources they have.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But there is an even better method.  Just count the number of missing cards of each resource and subtract the number in your hand.  There are 19 cards of each resource.  This gets you a more accurate result and players feel less swindled.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2014-11-20T00:16:06.233Z
2022-07-21T17:24:05.967Z
2022-07-21T17:24:05.967Z
Zags
<p>If you are simply trying to determine which resource is the most abundant, can't you just count the remaining resource cards? Isn't that public knowledge?</p>

<p>If so, that would make this tactic unnecessary.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-03T20:01:42.747Z
2012-01-03T20:01:42.747Z
BradC
<p>I've seen people get upset over less underhanded Monopoly grabs, but I wouldn't expect the bad feeling to linger excessively.</p>

<p>As an example, I made a legitimate trade request for a resource I knew an opponent had (it had been recently rolled), but was rejected.  I responded with the Monopoly card, even though it netted only one of the resource, because I really needed it that turn.  The other players were much more wary of my trade requests for the rest of the game; one even asked what would happen if they refused.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-22T17:36:05.530Z
2010-10-22T17:36:05.530Z
eswald
<p>There's no rule about it, so I'd say it's fair play.</p>

<p>However, it's a social game so if you keep 'crying wolf' then you might find your game-mates less likely to trade with you!</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-24T15:42:02.700Z
2010-10-24T15:42:02.700Z
Joe Zack
<p>I wouldn't do it unless it was VERY likely to win me the game. Having done it once I can attest that some people won't take it well. On the otherhand if someone did it to me, they had better have just won because I wouldn't trade w/ them again that game, and I'd apply all of my diplomatic skills towards hindering their trading w/ other players. I might also be a little more circumspect about trading w/ them in the next game or two, and also a LOT more likely to try and do the same thing back to them the first chance I got.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-14T14:59:15.760Z
Why the downvote?
aslum
CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-11-18T23:38:35.727Z
2010-11-18T23:38:35.727Z
aslum
<p>It is legal according to the rules.  At my table, it has been ruled as illegal (house rule).  It just feels against the spirit of the game.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-27T11:21:48.363Z
2010-10-27T11:21:48.363Z
Jo Lang
<p>This is the most <strong>EVIL</strong> play in the game.</p>

<p>It is legal though.  Just very very <strong>EVIL</strong>.  So <strong>EVIL</strong> that many people get mad when you do it.  </p>

<p>It is very frowned on at my table.  If you do it most players will not even acknowledge your trade attempts in the future.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-25T16:21:29.627Z
2010-10-25T16:21:29.627Z
Vaccano
<p>It depends on the people you're playing with and the tone of the game you're in. I play with two groups: my family (wife and two teenage boys); and a group of long-time friends. I think this tactic has been used in both groups, and everybody acts shocked but takes it in the spirit of the game.</p>

<p>I think a good rule of thumb is 'will this change how they play the game with me in the future (this game and future games)?' or 'will this affect <em>whether</em> they play the game with me in the future?' If it makes them more wary of you, and more cut-throat themselves, then that's fair enough - you've made a tactical decision, upped the ante a bit, and maybe made it more difficult to get information and trades from them. If it makes them less likely to want to play with you in the future, then you've overstepped the mark - don't do it again.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-23T05:25:44.780Z
2010-10-23T05:25:44.780Z
gkrogers
<p>In Settlers of Catan, I sometimes try to ask people if they want to trade a certain resource, tricking them into revealing the approximate amount of that resource in everyone's hand. After this I play the monopoly card. This has on some occasions not been received very well.</p>

<p>Is this fair play?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-20T00:16:49.657Z
This answer got buried under the pile, so commenting here: it's not necessary to pull this ploy at all.  There are 19 of each resource in the game; just count the number in the bank.
Zags
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-02T10:19:56.887Z
One thing you could do (I also did last night) is make a trade that's really good for your opponent, then monopoly it back. I had a game yesterday where Ore was scarce. Me and an opponent had one ore each and i knew he wouldn't trade it away. So I traded him an ore for a sheep, then monopolied my ore and his original ore back to me (and bought two development cards).
Cameron
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-11T07:59:39.110Z
"Is this fair play?" Depends on the definition of fair, I guess.
NoDataDumpNoContribution
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-30T08:54:54.070Z
Do it, and expect to be robbed for the next few 7 rolls. Until someone else does something to take the heat off.
Jontia
<catan><trading>
Is pretending to want to trade before playing a monopoly card objectionable?
Matthijs Wessels
# Is pretending to want to trade before playing a monopoly card objectionable?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2010-10-22)

In Settlers of Catan, I sometimes try to ask people if they want to trade a certain resource, tricking them into revealing the approximate amount of that resource in everyone's hand. After this I play the monopoly card. This has on some occasions not been received very well.

Is this fair play?

**Tags:** catan, trading

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This answer got buried under the pile, so commenting here: it's not necessary to pull this ploy at all.  There are 19 of each resource in the game; just count the number in the bank.  
> **username_2**: One thing you could do (I also did last night) is make a trade that's really good for your opponent, then monopoly it back. I had a game yesterday where Ore was scarce. Me and an opponent had one ore each and i knew he wouldn't trade it away. So I traded him an ore for a sheep, then monopolied my ore and his original ore back to me (and bought two development cards).  
> **username_3**: "Is this fair play?" Depends on the definition of fair, I guess.  
> **username_4**: Do it, and expect to be robbed for the next few 7 rolls. Until someone else does something to take the heat off.  

---

## 15 answers

### Answer by username_19 on 2010-10-23. Score: 63 | Accepted answer

It depends on the people you're playing with and the tone of the game you're in. I play with two groups: my family (wife and two teenage boys); and a group of long-time friends. I think this tactic has been used in both groups, and everybody acts shocked but takes it in the spirit of the game.

I think a good rule of thumb is 'will this change how they play the game with me in the future (this game and future games)?' or 'will this affect *whether* they play the game with me in the future?' If it makes them more wary of you, and more cut-throat themselves, then that's fair enough - you've made a tactical decision, upped the ante a bit, and maybe made it more difficult to get information and trades from them. If it makes them less likely to want to play with you in the future, then you've overstepped the mark - don't do it again.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2010-10-22. Score: 74

That's not as bad as actually trading all of one of your resources away for other things, and then using "Monopoly" to get it all back. I've seen people play that way before.

Underhanded, yes. Illegal, no. The problem with playing this way is that it can really poison the friendly feel of the game. I had a player who used this tactic, as well as other aggressive ones like extorting good trades from people by threatening them with the robber. When someone plays like that regularly, the best way to deal with it is for others to gang up on them, which then leads to arguments about people being out to get them, and grudges held between games. It wound up being so bad that I stopped playing Settlers if this other player was going to be there.

As far as just using trade offers to find out what people have, that's not nearly so bad. Heck, you don't even need to do that; you can keep track of what resources everyone has. The only way someone might get resources that you don't know about are with the robber, but that leaves the same set of resources on the table, just in a different person's hand. So, you shouldn't even have to do this; just keep better track of what resources people earn and what they spend. If you can't remember, just try and think back for what the last few numbers rolled were, and what the last few things they built; you should be able to work out pretty well what they have a lot of.

If you offer trades to people, and then just grab the resources with "Monopoly" instead, they'll think that's cheap and feel burned; you've gotten their hopes up for a trade, and then dashed them by stealing resources. If you just keep track of what resources they have, and then seem to "magically" guess the right ones, they'll be disappointed that they lost the resources, but impressed that you managed to get so lucky with your "guess." How would you rather people feel about you?

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: You think Catan has a friendly feel?  You obviously play in very different groups to me!  Blocking people on purpose, threatening the robber, trading before monopoly are all _expected_ tactics to use.  If you were playing it in a tournament, then you would find this happens all the time.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2010-10-22. Score: 28

Yes, it's lame :P.

But at my table you wouldn't be reprimanded, but expect future trade to get a little more difficult. This is an awesome way to get the rest to gang up on you.


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2010-11-18. Score: 20

I think it's awesome. If you milked some resources out of me with a trade, and then mono'ed them to the traded goods back, I would first scream in pain, and then offer you a hearty congratulations.

I am surprised so many people think it's poor form. The first time I saw someone do it, I thought it was simply brilliant.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2010-10-22. Score: 14

Well, its not illegal. It is... a bit underhanded.

I'd change the way I played with you, but I wouldn't house rule it away or anything.


---

### Answer by username_9 on 2014-11-20. Score: 13

The [Settlers of Catan FAQ](http://www.catan.com/faq-page/93) offers an **official answer**:

> Monopoly - In order to find out which
> resources my opponents have, may I first offer them trades and then
> play my Monopoly card?
>
> Yes. However, players are not compelled to
> provide correct information on the resources they have.

In short:

1. Yes, you may ask probing questions about what resources others have
2. No, they need not *answer* honestly.
3. When Monopoly is played, all players **must surrender** the named resource regardless of what they answered previously. (per the [official rules](http://www.catan.com/files/downloads/soc_rv_rules_091907.pdf))

> Monopoly: If you play this card, you must name 1 type of resource. All
> the other players **must** give you all of the Resource Cards of this type
> that they have in their hands.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Wow, it's actually in the FAQ :D. They could've also just linked to this site ;).  

---

### Answer by username_11 on 2010-11-18. Score: 10

In the real world, monopolistic business practices are lame and objectionable. I see no reason why playing the evil, evil Monopoly card in as evil a fashion as possible. Preferably accompanied with the twirling of one's moustache, and/or the line "I didn't come to this island to make friends".

Seriously, it's a game! In which the actions you take may make life harder for the other players. Is it "objectionable" to move the robber onto another player's tile instead of the Desert? Yes, the more "underhandedly" you behave the more likely it is that the other players will stop trading with you, or otherwise act to make your life more difficult. But let's try to remember that being fairly despicable in a competitive in-game persona is NOT the same as being despicable in real life. Anyone who holds a grudge after the game has been cleared away is taking things a little *too* seriously.


---

### Answer by username_12 on 2011-02-28. Score: 7

To counter the move, I make it clear at the begining of the game that if you ask if I have any brick, I may not tell you the truth. If you ask if I want to *trade*, that's a different question, and I can say no without implying I don't have any. I may also say, 'maybe,' when I don't have the requested resource, then turn down the ensuing trade offer. Doesn't work if you're playing with people with good memories, but how many of us pay scrupulous attention to every resource people pick up?


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-11-20. Score: 6

This is absolutely allowed. From the [Catan FAQ](https://www.catan.com/faq/basegame):

> Development Cards – Progress – Monopoly - In order to find out which resources my opponents have, may I first offer them trades and then play my Monopoly card?
>
> Yes. However, players are not compelled to provide correct information on the resources they have.

But there is an even better method. Just count the number of missing cards of each resource and subtract the number in your hand. There are 19 cards of each resource. This gets you a more accurate result and players feel less swindled.


---

### Answer by username_13 on 2012-01-03. Score: 5

If you are simply trying to determine which resource is the most abundant, can't you just count the remaining resource cards? Isn't that public knowledge?

If so, that would make this tactic unnecessary.


---

### Answer by username_14 on 2010-10-22. Score: 4

I've seen people get upset over less underhanded Monopoly grabs, but I wouldn't expect the bad feeling to linger excessively.

As an example, I made a legitimate trade request for a resource I knew an opponent had (it had been recently rolled), but was rejected. I responded with the Monopoly card, even though it netted only one of the resource, because I really needed it that turn. The other players were much more wary of my trade requests for the rest of the game; one even asked what would happen if they refused.


---

### Answer by username_15 on 2010-10-24. Score: 2

There's no rule about it, so I'd say it's fair play.

However, it's a social game so if you keep 'crying wolf' then you might find your game-mates less likely to trade with you!


---

### Answer by username_16 on 2010-11-18. Score: 1

I wouldn't do it unless it was VERY likely to win me the game. Having done it once I can attest that some people won't take it well. On the otherhand if someone did it to me, they had better have just won because I wouldn't trade w/ them again that game, and I'd apply all of my diplomatic skills towards hindering their trading w/ other players. I might also be a little more circumspect about trading w/ them in the next game or two, and also a LOT more likely to try and do the same thing back to them the first chance I got.

> **Comments:**
> **username_16**: Why the downvote?  

---

### Answer by username_17 on 2010-10-27. Score: 1

It is legal according to the rules. At my table, it has been ruled as illegal (house rule). It just feels against the spirit of the game.


---

### Answer by username_18 on 2010-10-25. Score: -2

This is the most **EVIL** play in the game.

It is legal though. Just very very **EVIL**. So **EVIL** that many people get mad when you do it.

It is very frowned on at my table. If you do it most players will not even acknowledge your trade attempts in the future.


---

