You'd think this was from The Onion...

Monopoly swaps cash for plastic

Monopoly money will be phased out in a new version of the game in a bid to keep up with the times.
Instead players will use mock Visa debit cards to keep track of how much money they are winning or losing.

An electronic machine is provided, which allows the banker to transfer money from players and record their earnings and payments.

The new updated edition of the game is being sold along with the traditional cash version.

The revamped model will also include several changes, such as an increase in property prices and new fines like paying the congestion charge, to bring it upto date.

Chris Weatherhead, brand manager at Parker games, which makes Monopoly, said: "We wanted to design a more relevant version of Monopoly to reflect modern society.

"As the popularity of plastic cards increases when paying for goods instead of using cash, we wanted to reflect that in the new Monopoly."

DB, when was the last time you started a thread that didn't involve sports? :p

2003 :p

Isn't half the fun messing about with the change?

No. No it isn't.

Sounds like a good idea. But they've already made versions to reflect the times with Ghettopoly and Chavopoly. I don't think I'll be updating my Steelers Monopoly anytime soon.

As long as they keep the little metal shoe, I ll still play the damn game.

Another game I can offer to play people at for real money .

Half the fun is slipping a few $500 bills under the board before the game begins!

How they gonna change with the times? Condos instead of Hotels?

What about that little Iron?

Instead of a "get out of jail free card" do you now get the phone listings of the local bail bondsmen?

How long before Master Card sues?

No more free parking... You have to pay $20 to valet. :p

For me, it was the hat.

:p

I still prefer Ghettopoly , though.

The iron, the shoe, the hat?? C'mon, everyone knows that the racecar is the ONLY way to go!!

"Keeping up with the times" or product placement?

No way man, the little Scotty dog was the way to go.

The best part about this whole deal is that its continuing the deterioration of basic math skills - I love when people cash me out someplace and can't do the tax...God forbid if the power is out and the registers were down! :p

!