There is no rule allowing money to be stockpiled in the middle of the board. Also, when someone lands on an unowned property, either they buy it, or the property is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Finally, you can't build a hotel on a property unless you first build houses there. If there are no houses available, then you have to wait until there are houses available. Following the rules as written actually makes the game enjoyable (and it doesn't take 4 hours to play.) "We've always played it that way" is all well and good, but the Buffalo Bills have always played sportsball *that* way, which kinda suggests doing it the same way over and over doesn't make it the *right* way. Go on... dig out the game from its shelf in the basement and try playing by the actual rules once. It makes a huge difference!