Quick check for used Monopoly at thrift stores

 I have found my fair share of Monopoly games at local thrift stores. Before you decide to purchase a used game, you should take a quick inventory of what is included in the box. Most used games are missing pieces, however some are less important.

The older Monopoly games came with 6 tokens and current games include 8. These tokens are easily replaced by a sewing thimble, coin, button, pieces from other games or even a small action figure. You should look for a minimum of 4 tokens. 

The game should include 2 dice, but these are also easily replaceable. You can borrow any standard 6 sided die from another game. Another alternative would be to check your local dollar/discount store toy section. 

I would not spend too much time counting the Monopoly money. If you own a home printer you can always print and cut more money. Walmart sells colored paper for around $3 a pack and you can customize the face/color to your choosing.

The instructions are also easily replaceable. Hasbro offers a downloadable version of all it's Monopoly games on it's website, which accounts for variations in game play for the specific edition.

There should be 32 houses and 12 hotels. The houses and hotels can be drawn on a pieces of paper or printed to substitute.

The most critical pieces are the 28 Title Dead Cards. There should also be 16 Chance and 16 Community Chest cards. If you are missing any of these cards it's probably best to pass on said game.

Taking these factors into consideration you should purchase what you feel most comfortable with. If you don't want to put any extra work into the game, the best choice would be purchase the game new.