OK...

Winsumloosesum's post on McDonald's & Monopoly got me thinking... "What ARE my chances?"

Well, I got a horrifyingly frightening bounceback to reality when I checked out the official rules for this year's version...

Here's a snapshot:

7. VERIFICATION. 

 A potential winner may be requested to provide the Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the winning entry. If a dispute cannot be resolved to Sponsor's satisfaction, the entry will be deemed ineligible. If Sponsor so elects, a potential prize winner may be required to submit to, and cooperate in, a confidential background check to confirm eligibility and to help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity for the Game will not bring Sponsor into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the Game or the Sponsor as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

I understand this one. Basically, this lets you know McDonald's might ask you to go through a background check (which then you are required to "cooperate" with) to see if you know, have any connection to, or have ever walked by someone who had anything to do with any facet of the game. If you did, wave buh-bye to your "prize.

8h. General Restrictions.

Prizes pictured in point-of-sale, online, television and print advertising, promotional packaging, and other Game materials are for illustrative purposes only. All details and other restrictions of prizes not set forth in these Official Rules will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion and will be provided to the applicable prize winner upon award of the prize. No interest will be paid on any cash prizes.

All taxes (including, without limitation, federal, state, and local taxes) on or connected with any prize, and the reporting consequences thereof, are the sole and exclusive responsibility of respective winners. If required by law, Sponsor reserves the right to withhold and remit to the appropriate taxing authorities the amount of any tax or taxes due. With respect to non-cash prizes, it may be legally necessary under the United States Internal Revenue Code (as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) for the prize winner to pay the amount of any tax before receiving the prize.

Another one I understand... Win a 20Gb iPod, you might get a mini, because the prize "is for illustrative purposes only."

If you win the viper, though, be prepared to cough up about $40,000 in taxes, UP FRONT, because "it may be legally necessary."

Check winsumloosesum's post for these, too.... this is where I was absolutely FLOORED- the odds of winning.

1. MONOPOLY INSTANT-WIN
   

1. The average odds of winning a McDonald's Food Prize over the course of the Game are approximately 1 in 9. Odds may be higher or lower for specific Food Prizes and change as the Game Progresses and prizes are awarded.

1. MONOPOLY COLLECT & WIN
   

Umm... "Best Chance Game 3.0"??

I can just see the ad tagline...

You Could win a Viper in the New Monopoly @ McDonald's Best Chance Game! You'd only have to buy over $50 billion worth of food and drinks to do it! Or, for no purchase necessary entries, all you need to do is send in about 10 billion SASE's (you'd bring the price of stamps CONSIDERABLY down if you did that)!! See you in the Winner's Circle!!

Oy. They need to call it "McDonald's Best Game of NO chance."