MONOPOLY chiefs have set up a Christmas hotline to prevent board game bust-ups, after research found that over half of games end in acrimony.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that 51 per cent of Monopoly matches have ended in a feud, with quarrels most likely caused by mavericks "making up the rules as they go along".

2 A survey by Monopoly makers Hasbro has found that over half of all games end on a sour note Credit: Alamy

Second on the list were overly smug players who gloat when things are going their way.

And someone deliberately buying property you want, even if they don’t need it, also gets blood boiling.

Craig Wilkins, Marketing Director of Hasbro UK & Ireland who commissioned the research, said: "Monopoly is one of the best-loved board games of all time, because it’s a way for families to spend some quality time together.

"However, our research found that Monopoly games can regularly end in chaos, with some friends and family members stopping at nothing to win.

"Our hotline will be open from 24th – 26th December, when families will be able to call 0800 689 4903 and get mediation on any game-based arguments.

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"We’ll have experts on hand with the official rulebooks to instantly settle any disputes, and advise on how to resolve common complaints, with each person also having the opportunity to make a donation to Childline when they call."

We recently revealed FIVE ways you've been playing the game wrong your whole life.

Some Monopoly-based bust-ups have had far-reaching consequences.

One parent recalled leading a game against their 14-year-old son, who became so enraged he threw the board across the room, scattering the pieces everywhere, before slamming the door and going to bed – at 7pm.

Another respondent remembered a childhood game ending in a fight with his brother. His testimony drily ended: "My family still doesn’t speak about Monopoly."

Cheating is rife in Monopoly, with players regularly trying illegal tactics to get the upper hand.

THE TOP 20 MONOPOLY ARGUMENTS People making up rules People being too cocky when winning Someone buying a property you want, even when they don’t need it People taking too long to take their turn Someone stealing from the bank Someone deliberately mis-counting their move Who gets to be the banker The property auction process Choice over tokens What the rules of Free Parking are If a dice roll counts when it falls off the table Alliances or team-making Someone stealing from you when you go to the toilet Someone stealing properties from the bank Who gets to go first Whether rolling doubles means the person gets another turn Whether someone can withhold from using a Get Out Of Jail Free card so they can stay in jail Who has to sit in the awkward place where the board looks upside down to them People not handing the dice to the next person Whether someone is allowed to deliberately get sent to jail

The most common way to cheat is to stay silent when you’ve landed on an opponent’s property, and hope the next person makes their move before you’re discovered.

And 13 per cent admit to regularly lifting money from the bank when the rest of the family’s backs are turned.

This Christmas, families will play an average of four board games, and are most likely to pull out a game of Monopoly between 4-6pm on Christmas Day.

And the Monopoly Hotline expect to receive a flood of calls from 6pm on Christmas day as it’s the most common time for families to have an argument.

2 Dedicated staff will be manning the Monopoly hotline to settle any disputes from December 24 to December 26 Credit: Alamy

Craig continued: "We’ve found that many family bust-ups happen over a lack of knowledge of the rules, and many families have, over years, evolved their own very fragile systems of play.

"Arguments can even break out before the game has started, with token-choice being hotly contested by a fifth of the nation - with 26 per cent of people saying their favourite is the dog.

"Our advice is to watch out for sneaky dads – the survey showed that they’re the most likely to volunteer for duty as banker, which means they’re in charge of the money.

"If you suspect your dad’s been lifting notes from the bank, or need any Monopoly help at all, get in touch with our experts on 0800 689 4903 between 24th – 26th December."

The helpline is free to call from a landline or mobile, but it’s best to check with your service provider for more details.

THE TOP 10 WAYS WE CHEAT Trying to keep quiet when landing on an opponent’s property Stealing money from the bank Moving your token more or less than shown on the dice, to your advantage Making up the rules that suit you, to someone who doesn’t know Sneakily adding more houses/hotels than you’ve paid for Moving the dice to land on the numbers you want Pretending your Chance/Community Chest card is a good one, when really it’s a bad one Fiddling the order of Chance/Community Chest cards so you get good ones Bribing other players with real-life rewards for help in the game Stealing properties from the bank

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