The rules of the game pick the winner

In Monopoly, the rules often determine the outcome.

At Dome's house, any fees paid because of a Community Chest card are placed in the middle of the board. If you land on Free Parking, the pot of money's yours.

That slight variation on the rules has dragged out many a Monopoly game, allowing a comeback by a player who's burned through a lot of cash.

As Newsweek science blogger Sharon Begley writes, the rules of elections often determine the outcome as well.

A prime example is going on with the Democratic presidential primary. Under party rules, states must divide their delegates proportionally among candidates who get at least 15 percent of the vote.

Along with his campaign cash, that rule is keeping John Edwards in the race, since he can continue winning delegates even though he's in third place. In a winner-take-all system, Edwards would have little motivation to keep fighting.

Again, the rules are determining the outcome. Remember that the next time you skip a news item about an obscure fight over elections laws.