Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Norwegian passes go to win world Monopoly crown
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Norwegian passes go to win world Monopoly crown
AFP - Friday, October 23
Send
IM Story
Print
Unaffected by the credit crunch and with cash to burn, speculators from around the world have been locked in battle for some of the most desirable addresses the Monopoly boardgame has to offer. In the end, 19-year-old Norwegian student Bjorn Halvard Knappskog was crowned the beloved game's 2009 world champion on Thursday and walked away with a check for $20,580 - in real money.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - – The once-booming United States property sector may have been ravaged by recession, but in Las Vegas this week real estate wheeler-dealers have been doing a roaring trade.
Unaffected by the credit crunch and with cash to burn, speculators from around the world have been locked in battle for some of the most desirable addresses the Monopoly boardgame has to offer.
In the end, 19-year-old Norwegian student Bjorn Halvard Knappskog was crowned the beloved game's 2009 world champion on Thursday, outlasting his rivals to walk away with a check for 20,580 dollars -- in real money.
That sum is, as most aficionados know, the total amount in the "bank" of the American edition of the game.
Knappskog bankrupted the American, Russian and New Zealand champions in the finale after two days of horse-trading to become the youngest-ever title holder.
The student from Oslo was among 41 national champions competing for the world title, the first global championship in five years.
All of the competitors had won Monopoly tournaments in their home countries to qualify and earned an expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas for this week's event. Knappskog was attending his first world final.
"It was fun just to be here," the Norwegian said. "I was really happy to be here whether I won or lost, but I'm also very happy to have won."
Knappskog emerged the swaggering tycoon when, after the American and Russian players went bankrupt, his Kiwi rival landed on Knappskog's North Carolina Avenue, which had two houses on the property.
The New Zealander, Geoff Christopher, did not have enough cash or assets to pay the 1,600 dollars in rent, and the game was up.
Monopoly's maker, Hasbro, holds world championships sporadically, with the last times in 2004 in Tokyo and 2000 in Toronto.
"Sure, this is exciting," said Germany's Hans-Georg Schellinger, 45, a refrigerator technician from Stuttgart, ousted in Thursday's semi-finals. "I get to go to Las Vegas and play for money. It's a thrill."
It's also about the furthest thing from the homey kitchen-table play that most conjure up when they think of the 75-year-old game.
For one thing, this year's competition took place in a mammoth ballroom at Caesars Palace with hundreds of spectators, official judges and bankers, plus language translators to facilitate deals between the far-flung opponents.
A man dressed in a tuxedo and top hat with a huge handlebar moustache stalked the scene as the game's "Mr. Monopoly" mascot, the New Zealand champion brought 15 of his college friends for a cheering section and a crew of film-makers was on hand to film every dice roll for a documentary about the game, "Under The Boardwalk," expected out next year.
"This is truly spectacular and impressive," said defending world champion Antonio Zafra Fernandez, 41, a Madrid laboratory technician who was playing for Spain and was also ousted during the semi-final round.
"I just want to take a picture of everything, it's so amazing."
The event also offered an opportunity for players to compare "home rules" that have developed in various countries.
In the tournament, however, the official rules are strictly followed and the language barriers made it more challenging to negotiate deals or even to develop a rapport with other players, said American champion Richard Marcinaccio, 26, of Buffalo, New York, who finished third.
"You think of Monopoly, you think about sitting around the board with friends and family and lots of small talk," said Marcinaccio. "Deals may come from that small talk but here it's harder to make deals."
There have been 12 Monopoly kings crowned since the first world championship tournament took place in New York, in 1973.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Producers Ferdinand, Cole attend film premiere AFP - Friday, October 23
Three vie for European Film Awards' animation prize Reuters - Friday, October 23
MySpace Music videos stream to rival social networks AFP - Friday, October 23
'Thriller' zombie tribute to Michael Jackson AFP - Friday, October 23
Jay Sean recaptures top slot on singles chart Reuters - Friday, October 23
News Search
Top Stories
Russian giant Gazprom eyes US market
US to give threatened polar bears vast 'critical habitat'
Russian rights trio win top EU assembly prize
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
Eyes to the skies for the 'Galilean Nights'
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
'Sahrawi Gandhi' awarded New York peace prize
British airport operator sells London airport
Galleon funds to close amid insider trading scandal
Credit Suisse joins surge in bank profits
More Most Viewed »
Boyzone singer Gately dies in Spain
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 23 October 2009 Rocket fire and air strikes keep Gaza border jumpy
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over iPhone
Protests storm BBC over far-right leader's TV slot
Fed unveils rules to curb 'risk taking' incentive pay
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
Senior Iranian MP casts doubt on atom fuel deal
Jade Goody's Family Wins Damages From Tabloid Over Burial Photos
Europe vows to liberate online shopping
Eyes to the skies for the 'Galilean Nights'
Lil Wayne Pleads Guilty To Gun Charge In Exchange For Lower Jail Sentence
Military aircraft crashes in Afghanistan: official
Cash-strapped Latvia mulls switching from Microsoft
Hunter Tylo Suing Social Worker For Wrongful Death Of Son
Bad breath fights monsters at Japan whacky fair
Mideast atom forum sees brief Israel-Iran dialogue
U.S. details possible Sri Lanka civil war abuses
| International
|
Chris O'Donnell To Receive Humanitarian Award For Charity Work
US new jobless claims up again
French fund invests in YouTube rival Dailymotion
Honduran election body touts vote to solve crisis
| International
|
Jay Sean Reclaims Top Spot From Britney On The Billboard Hot 100
Ethiopia demands food aid for 6.2 million people
Like Windows 7, Vista got good reviews too
Michael Buble's "Crazy Love" Is #1 For A Second Week On The Billboard Albums Chart
French ICRC aid worker kidnapped in Darfur
| International
|
Afghan contender mulls run-off boycott
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over iPhone
Iran lawyer seeks cash to spare young on death row
10 tonnes cocaine found in submarine off Guatemala
| International
|
Ex-"Smallville" Actor Sam Jones Busted Over Drug Charges
Michael Jackson's Kids Unhurt In Paparazzo Minor Car Accident
John Travolta's Extortion Case Ended In Mistrial
Microsoft opens retail store as Windows 7 launches
| Technology
|
Amazon rolls out program to sync Kindle with PCs
| Technology
|
Wal-Mart offers tech support for shoppers
| Technology
|
Pakistan soldiers killed in capital ambush
Two Koreas hold talks on possible summit: report
SKorean president visits Cambodia to boost ties
Lawsuit Alleges Madoff's Office Was A Cocaine Laden, Sex Filled Environment
Newsday To Charge For Online Content
Indonesia's Yudhoyono gets down to business
Update: Obama Hails Committtee's Approval Of New Consumer Watchdog Agency
Sheriff: Clothes, birthmark ID Fla. girl's body
Controversy Erupts Over Police Policy Over Taser Maker's Warning
Asian summit to tackle economic crisis, rights
Hotel-Casino Worker Exposed To Secondhand Smoke Sues Employer For $5 Million
US urging China, Japan to buy less oil from Iran
Hundred U.K. Navy Men Returning To Iraq To Resume Training Of Iraqis
Typhoon set to hit Philippines: forecasters
N.Korea has 20 nuclear-related sites: lawmaker
Doctors, Seniors Disappointed With Senate Vote On Medicare Payment Formula
Dalai Lama to visit disputed Indian state on November8
China ignoring tiger trade: campaign group
Lil Wayne pleads to attempted gun possession
Prosecutor In Charge Of Botched Ted Stevens Corruption Case Resigns
2 Ohio children caged by adoptive parents sue
Investigators ID Somer Thompson's Body In Georgia Landfill
Afghan official says aircraft crashes
Deal on Medicare payments boosts House health bill
House Panel To Vote On Controversial New Consumer Protection Agency
Romer: Impact of stimulus will level off next year
KC man accused of drugging girls, filming them
Navy's newest warships top out at more than 50 mph
Lil Wayne guilty on N.Y. gun charge, headed to prison
| Entertainment
|
Cougars go from crass to cool on TV
| Entertainment
|
New Moon vampires take bite out of Rome film fest
| Entertainment
|
Madonna to lay school's foundation stone in Malawi
| Entertainment
|
Asian summit to tackle economic crisis, rights
Swank soars in old-fashioned Earhart biopic
| Entertainment
|
China's 3Q growth accelerates to 8.9 percent pace
S.Korea to boost investment in Cambodia
A Minute With: Tobin Bell of the Saw horror films
| Entertainment
|
It's always sunny on West Bank's Sesame Street
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan's Evergreen to order up to 100 ships in 2010
HSBC ups stake in Vietnamese group Bao Viet
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee weakens
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $14.48 bln
Taiwan jobless rate falls slightly in September
New Indonesia government sworn in, faces criticism
Indonesian soldier wounded in attack at Freeport
A Minute With: Tobin Bell of the "Saw" horror films
Madonna to lay school's foundation stone in Malawi
Protests storm BBC over far-right leader's TV slot
Kids in Spain get real 'Night at the Museum'
Sweden's Lutheran church to celebrate gay weddings
Climate change map unveiled at London museum
'Julia' was homage to my mother: Meryl Streep
Preview of MJ movie shows him in fine voice
Istanbul exhibit seeks to reveal city's soul
'Twilight' saga's vampires on red carpet in Rome
6.2-magnitude quake hits Afghanistan, Pakistan border: USGS
Google co-founder Brin prefers without Bing
Suicide bomber kills six in Pakistan
| International
|
US to give threatened polar bears vast 'critical habitat'
Red Cross says French employee kidnapped in Darfur
News non-profit links with NY Times for Chicago edition
Long lines as Microsoft opens retail store
Arrests made at event for jailed Iran activist-website
Russian rights trio win top EU assembly prize
Two Koreas held secret talks for summit: report
| International
|
Afghan contender mulls run-off boycott
Newsday.com to begin charging readers
Somalia's Shabaab rebels threaten Uganda, Burundi
| International
|
ASEAN focuses on rights, trade amid tight security
| International
|
Iran, Israel eyeball at Mideast nuke conference
UK troops in Afghanistan could be cut by 2014: General
| International
|
Honduras talks break off again over Zelaya's return
| International
|
US regulators move to protect 'net neutrality'
Wal-Mart offers tech support for shoppers
Amazon rolls out program to sync Kindle with PCs
U.S. sees Israel drill helping Europe missile shield
| International
|
U.S. says concerned by Nicaragua election ruling
| International
|
Iranian lawmaker rejects nuke deal to ship uranium
Judge rejects sheriff's prostitution suit against Craigslist
Police: 14 al-Qaida suspects arrested in Iraq
Israeli court rejects separate West Bank road
Dutch court orders Pirate Bay to remove links
Women Marines want a chance outside the Afghan wire
| International
|
FCC commissioners support open Internet rule
Nokia sues Apple for patent infringement
Microsoft launches Windows 7, eyes PC sales rebound
| Technology
|
Nokia sues Apple for patent infringement
| Technology
|
Wal-Mart offers tech support for shoppers
| Technology
|
Suicide bomber kills six in Pakistan
Six killed in Pakistan suicide attack: police
Report: China building cyberwarfare capabilities
US 'very concerned' over Nicaragua court decision
Minn. court: Bong water can count as illegal drug
Former NYC top cop discussed filing rights suit
UN slams Myanmar, N.Korea, Palestinian rights ills
Scorecard: Obama and high-priced weapons systems
Media rights group criticizes jailing of editor
Massive security at Asian summit in Thailand
Airline crew overshot Minn. airport by 150 miles
Senate roll vote on defense policy bill
Scientist worked on early warning defense systems
Google, Record Labels To Launch Enhanced Music Search Service
Congress extends hate crime protections to gays
Coconuts Mailed To Postmaster To Prevent Closure Of Florida Town Post Office
Accused triggerman guilty of slaying 7 in Indiana
Rock Bands Sue To Know If Songs Were Used In Guantanamo Interrogations
AMEX Reports 21 Percent Earnings Drop, But Still Upbeat
Raids In 19 States Net 300 Members Of Mexican Drug Cartel
GM buys all new shares in S.Korea unit
Obama administration slashes executive salaries
Microsoft launches Windows 7
Seoul shares up 0.5 pct; carmakers, N.Korea plays rally
Korea Hot Stocks
S.Korea T-bonds fall on U.S. lead; GDP eyed
Taiwan to hold meeting on shaping economic policy -paper
Producers Ferdinand, Cole attend film premiere
Bon Jovi unveils world tour
| Entertainment
|
SKorea's Hynix finally swings to profit
Michael Jackson fans say film covers up grim truth
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares open higher; Hynix, Kia Motors rise
China's communists say no to escort girls: state media
MySpace Music videos stream to rival social networks
China BAK sells shares, warrants for $21 mln
'Thriller' zombie tribute to Michael Jackson
Gore, chills in duel at weekend box office
| Entertainment
|
Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris join Rio
| Entertainment
|
Norwegian passes go to win world Monopoly crown
Jay Sean recaptures top slot on singles chart
Three vie for European Film Awards' animation prize
| Entertainment
|
Lawmaker in Travolta mistrial mess blames "rumor"
Bon Jovi unveils world tour
Michael Jackson fans say film covers up grim truth
Robbie Williams to receive career award at BRITs
Jay Sean recaptures top slot on singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Israel investigates pro-settler demo during army parade
Britain still in recession: official data
US-TECH Summary
Developing countries must boost broadband: U.N.
Iran fails to accept U.N.-drafted nuclear deal
| International
|
Amazon's Bezos says Kindle is number one
Russian giant Gazprom eyes US market
Karzai says wants better Afghan election run-off
| International
|
Karadzic boycott threat sets up trial stand-off
| International
|
World trade talks should focus on poor: Gaddafi
| International
|
Thai king makes first appearance in more than month
| International
|
Call for new Moscow poll after votes disappear
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Storm weakens but hundreds flee in Philippines' north
| International
|
Polanski extradition formally requested: Switzerland
Twitter entries satirize works of literature
| Technology
|
Pie-splattered comedian Soupy Sales dies at 83
Nokia says N900 sales delayed to November
| Technology
|
Developing countries must boost broadband: U.N.
| Technology
|
Poll: US belief in global warming is cooling
Garbage trucks lead to discovery of dead Fla. girl
Suicide bomber kills eight in Pakistan
NY officials rescind mandatory H1N1 flu shot order
Education reformer Theodore Sizer dies at 77
Friend: Balloon mom will 'go down with the ship'
Thai king's 1st appearance since hospital spell
Ex-Mariner Johjima ready to 'go wild' at home
Southeast Asian leaders launch new rights body
Thai king's first appearance since hospitalisation
Huge blast rocks Pakistan city Peshawar: witnesses
Fourteen arrested over China mine dispute: govt
UN official slams "abysmal" NKorea rights record
Indonesia's new govt targets 7% growth
Japan orders BNP Paribas to suspend some operations
Sanyo reveals $400 mln loss in first half
Seoul shares end 0.6 pct higher on auto issues
GM's subsidiary raises 412 mln dlrs
Oil spill 'massive' risk to Australian animals
Kia posts record quarterly profit
PREVIEW-S.Korea KB Fin Q3 may fall; other banks to shine
U.S. formally asks Swiss to extradite Polanski
| Entertainment
|
Slapstick TV comedy pioneer Soupy Sales dead at 83
| Entertainment
|
U.S. formally asks Swiss to extradite Polanski
Slapstick TV comedy pioneer Soupy Sales dead at 83
Mozambique's Grande Hotel: from luxury to slum
Japanese university plans huge 'manga' library
Gore, chills in duel at weekend box office
Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris join "Rio"
Three vie for European Film Awards' animation prize
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights