Instructions for the Original Game of Life

The game of Life was introduced in the late 1970s. It is meant to simulate the trials and blessings of real life. These include bank loans and careers, even child rearing. Each player travels a path to one of two destinations, Millionaire Acres or the Poor Farm. Once every player has finished the course, the one with the most money wins the game.

Choose a banker, who will handle the money, insurance and pegs representing people. The banker can also be a player in the game. Each player starts with a £650 bill, three £325 bills and a car. A peg is inserted in the car to represent the player.

Spin the game's wheel. The player who gets the highest number starts first. Decide whether to buy car insurance; this will be your only opportunity to do so. Spin the wheel and move your car the specified number of spaces. If the space is occupied by another player, move ahead to the next open space. Play proceeds clockwise.

Make choices when the path forks.The first decision will be whether to choose the university or business route. This choice determines your salary. Those who take the business route get £3,900 everytime they pass a Pay Day space on the path. Those who take the university path will receive whatever salary that is stated on the first graduation space that they land on.

Follow the directions stated on the path's spaces. Some must be obeyed by all players. Others are optional. When you land on or pass a red or white space, consider your opportunities or obligations. You can buy stock or insurance, but only one type of each.

Obey the instructions on other spaces you land on. Some will reward or penalise you. Others will require you to pay interest on your bank loans, represented by promissory notes, or take revenge on a player by collecting £78,000 from him or her. If the player can't pay that much, he or she must move back 10 spaces.

Collect and use Share the Wealth cards. You receive these cards when you land on a Pay Day space. They may be used to share in another player's good fortune or force a player to help you pay a penalty.

Stop at the Get Married space and spin the wheel. If your number is 1, 2 or 3, each player must pay you £650. If you spin 4, 5 or 6, you get £325 from each player. Spin again and move forward the specified number of spaces; this is your "honeymoon." Some spaces will announce the birth of children. When you land on these spaces, each player will pay you £325 for each child.

Be the first to cross the toll bridge. Every other player will have to pay you £15,600 when they cross. If you go broke or are sent back past the bridge, the second player to cross will reap the benefits instead. Bet on the next number to be spun by another player, or by you when you land on a Lucky Day space. You can bet up to £15,600 at a time, on one or two numbers. If your number comes up, you'll get 10 times what you bet.

Use the wheel to "play the market." Spin the wheel. If you get a 1, 2 or 3, you pay £19,500 to the bank. If you get a 7,8,9 or 10, you get £39,000 from the bank. Only one person can play a stock at a time.

Stop on the Day of Reckoning space. Receive £15,600 per child and pay off any loans. If you have a lot of money, spin the wheel and move on toward Millionaire Acres. Otherwise, bet what you have on a number. Spin the wheel. If your number comes up, you win the game. If it doesn't, you're out, and the game continues. The first player to get to Millionaire Acres gets £78,000 from the bank. Players who have completed the course can continue to bet on the wheel, use Share the Wealth cards and collect bridge tolls.

Count your money, stock and insurance policies when all players have finished the course, unless one has won by spinning the right number. The player with the most money wins the game.