Operation Rules
Steady hands and nerves of steel! Try your skill at removing funny ailments without setting off the buzzer in the classic game of Operation.
What's in the Box?
- Operation game board (with Cavity Sam)
- 12 funny plastic ailments (Wishbone, Bread Basket, Butterflies, and more)
- Pair of tweezers (attached to the board)
- Play money
- Cards (Doctor and Specialist)
- Instructions
- Batteries (not always included!)
How to Set Up
- Insert batteries and place all the ailments in their matching spaces on the board.
- Shuffle the Doctor and Specialist cards and deal them as per instructions.
- Give everyone some play money.
- Youngest player goes first (or whoever can say 'Cavity Sam'? with a straight face).
How to Play
- On your turn, draw a Doctor card and attempt to remove the matching ailment with the tweezers.
- If you successfully lift it out without touching the metal sides, keep the part and collect the fee shown.
- If you touch the sides, the buzzer sounds and Sam’s nose lights up! The Specialist card holder gets a chance to try (for a higher fee).
- If both fail, the card is set aside and play moves on.
- Continue until all ailments have been removed.
Tip: Take your time and use both hands if needed – but no elbows on the table!
Winning the Game
The player with the most money after all ailments are out is the top surgeon – and wins the game!
Classic House Rules (Optional, for Maximum Laughter)
- Wobbly Table: Give the table a gentle nudge before tricky operations (just for fun).
- Timed Surgery: Use a stopwatch for each turn – more pressure, more laughs!
- Left-Handed Round: Everyone must use their non-dominant hand for one round.
Did you know? Operation was invented in 1964 and has been making hands shake and noses buzz for over 60 years!
Quick Reference
- Players: 1 or more
- Age: 6 and up
- Average play time: 15–25 minutes
Pro tip: Keep a steady hand and try not to laugh when your friends are watching!
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