Updated Monopoly game

I got a chance to play the updated version of Monopoly the other evening.  This is the one that has no paper money in play.  Instead, each player has a credit card-looking card which is used to buy properties and pay penalties.  It is also  used to accept payments from other players or from passing Go.  It looks very hi-tech and gives the game an up-to-date feel without destroying its ancient charm.  But right away we noticed several things:

1. It is much easier for little kids to play because you don't have to count money or make change;
2. There's  either total transparency (if the banker announces the new balance(s)) or total secrecy (if the banker does not).  No more hiding your money and  pleading near poverty.
3. It is easier for the banker to make a mistake by punching a wrong button than by handing back or accepting the wrong bill.
4. There is no audit trail.  Under the paper money system there wasn't either but the actual bills changing hands worked much better than a calculator display.
5. The connection between money and what it represents is stretched even further leaving almost no connection for the players.

Carolyn and I have devised the following spreadsheet to use with the game.  By logging each transaction, the participants get a better feel for the money impact of each transaction.  Thus, we hope to eliminate problems 3 and 4.  We'll have to see if anything can be done about the others.

Player[AVL1]  1 name		Player 2 name		Player 3 name
+/-Amt	Balance	+/-Amt	Balance	+/-Amt	Balance
Player 4 name		Player 5 name		Player 6 name
+/-Amt	Balance	+/-Amt	Balance	+/-Amt	Balance