Stock Market Game

Playing a stock market game is a great way to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the stock market without the risk of losing real money.  We did some research and found several stock market games that are very good; so we'll point you in their direction.  We also took a look at alternatives to an online stock market game that might be of interest.

Stock Market Board Games

While some individuals might prefer to play a stock market simulation game online, there are alternatives.  This is because life did exist before the Internet, and people have been intrigued by the workings of the stock market since its inception.

In fact, there is something to be said for board games.  After all, many of us spend quite a bit of time staring at a computer screen.  Wouldn't it be nice to interact with real people for a change, while playing a friendly stock market game?  We'll assume there is such a thing as playing a friendly game.

We understand that your seven year old daughter might not share your enthusiasm for the stock market.  But kids like to fantasize and play interactive games, and most adults do too.  Below is a list of stock market board games for your consideration:

• Pit (2 to 8 players) - first published by Gavitt in 1903, in this game players are charged with the task of cornering the market in one type of commodity.  The game is a loud, real-time commodity and stock trading game that takes about 90 minutes to play.
• Monopoly Stock Exchange (2 to 6 players) - this is a variation of the famous Monopoly game that involves bidding for stock, speculation, and auctions.  The game includes an electronic console that keeps track of all the trades, and the playing time is roughly two hours.
• Stock Market Tycoon (2 to 8 players) - played like Monopoly, this stock market board game takes about 2 hours to play.  The objective of the game is to make $1 million, and the game involves commodities, stocks, and even a shot at day trading.  Wildcard problems emerge in the form of gambling sprees and unexpected taxes.

Free Stock Market Games

We are a big proponent of the Open Source software movement.  The development of Linux and OpenOffice are great examples of people working together to make high-quality software products that are available to everyone with a personal computer.  We were not able to find a production-ready free stock market game that was available at SourceForge.net, but we did find a couple of applications that provide the user with some tools to analyze stocks.

• Stock Market - Promises to be a simulation game based on an adaptation of the Stock Market board game made by the now defunct Western Publishing Company in 1968.
• Market Analysis System - not a stock market game, but a software application that provides for both the technical analysis and fundamental analysis of stocks and the stock market.

Online Stock Market Game

There are many websites that offer online stock market games that you can join.  Some of these are "free," and others actually want you to pay a fee for participating.  There is certainly enough competition in this area, which means you should not be paying for the right to play a fantasy game.  Also be wary of stock market games that merely offer you free trials.

We're going to recommend three stock market games that offer a great experience, regardless of your level of expertise in trading stocks.  The first site is sponsored by MarketWatch, and they host an excellent virtual stock trading game.

When you create an account, they want you to subscribe to newsletters and limited time offers.  You do not have to subscribe in order to play the stock game.  These companies are sponsors of the game, and in exchange for sponsoring the game, they have the opportunity to offer you additional information.  Even if you refuse all these offers, you still get a chance to play the game.

The remaining two online stock market games come from smaller companies, both of which use the Stock Trak stock trading simulation software.  This application is used by 60,000 students through 1,000 professors in 30 countries.

• Virtual Stock Exchange - You can conduct stock market trades based on real stock prices and other stock trading information from the NYSE and NASDAQ.  You can play the game as an individual or in a group.  Each fantasy / competition has different rules such as the ability to trade on margin accounts, and the dollars are placed in the account at the beginning of the game.
• Wall Street Survivor - this site partners with Microsoft, Yale University, and the University of Chicago to bring you a stock market fantasy game.  Play is free, and the site even awards money to winning teams.
• How the Market Works - a virtual stock exchange that allows players to practice techniques involving penny stocks, day trading, as well as value investing.  Players start with as little as $100 or as much as $500,000 in virtual money.

There you have it, at least three different ways to play a stock market game.  Have fun with these games; and please do remember that they're only games.  While you're having fun, keep in mind that one of the reasons for playing the stock market game is to learn about the workings of a stock exchange.  This will increase your comfort level when it comes to trading stocks using real money.

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