One way to win at Monopoly is to put hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place, and maybe own a railroad or two.

But if you’re an executive, stockholder or employee at Hasbro, there’s an even better way: Announce plans to replace one of the trusty game pieces, and give Monopoly players worldwide a chance to vote on which piece to drop, and which to add.

The results of the vote were announced last week. The lowly iron, which wasn’t even electric, was out, and a cat was in.

Speaking of master Monopoly players, we certainly hope that Hasbro at least gives the person, or persons, who came up with idea for the vote Reading Railroad and maybe a utility as a bonus.

The publicity it generated is nothing short of spectacular.

No doubt, many players will lament the loss of the iron, but the cat is certainly a sensible choice for the 80-year-old board game.

— The Republican of Springfield (Mass.)