KEY POINTS:
Auckland central man Geoff Christopher, aka the Nimble Thimble, has played his way to a spot in the National Monopoly Championship.
Christopher took out the first of three nationwide competitive regional finals yesterday, at Whitcoulls in Botany Downs, with Weymouth man, Craig O'Hagan coming a close runner up.
"The competition was fierce at yesterday's final, but all in good fun," said Stephen Imm, brand manager for Monopoly.
"The best Monopoly players are great negotiators and know the probabilities of landing on any one square and use this to their advantage.
"The Nimble Thimble certainly did that, ruthlessly bankrupting several players during the competition and playing a very tight strategic game."
Further regional finals will take place in Wellington on February 21 and Christchurch on February 28 and the three national finalists will meet at MOTAT on April 18.
Whitcoulls customers who purchase any Monopoly game during February or March will also go in a draw to become the fourth contestant at the New Zealand final.
The New Zealand Monopoly Champion will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Monopoly World Championships in Las Vegas for them and a friend, a seat in the tournament and the chance to compete for prizes including the overall World Champion title, a trophy and a full Monopoly bank worth over US$20,000 (NZ$38,555).
For more information see monopolychamps.co.nz.
- NZ HERALD STAFF