How to Play Operation

Operation is one of those classic board games that just never gets old. It is a game of physical skill in which players must complete an "operation" without damaging the rest of "Cavity Sam." Operation requires a steady hand and a cool nerve to play, as no one wants to make Cavity Sam's nose light up, indicating they have failed the operation. With practice and a level head, Operation is one of the more entertaining games on the market for kids.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Operation board game
• Two AA batteries

1. Install the batteries into Cavity Sam and touch the tweezers to the metal to ensure they are working.
2. Distribute the specialist cards evenly among all players. These cards give players a chance to earn extra money when operating on ailments they are "specialized" in.
3. Begin play by choosing who goes first and then by taking a doctor card.
4. Operate on the ailment indicated by the doctor card. To operate, you need to successfully remove the ailment without setting off the buzzer (Cavity Sam's red bulb nose). If you set off the buzzer, any player holding the "Specialist" card for that ailment is permitted to try, and can earn double the income if they succeed.
5. Keep the doctor card whenever you are able to remove the ailment of Cavity Sam.
6. Continue play until all of Sam's ailments have been removed. The game is now over and it's time to determine who has won.
7. Count the money you have earned and compare it with all other players. The winner is the player who has earned the most money.
8. Remember that you're not allowed to place your elbows on the table or use any other method of stabilizing your hands. You are allowed to use two hands, but cannot do anything that would keep your hands from shaking naturally.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove the batteries when not in use to save their power. If the metal tweezers touch the game board while in storage, the batteries will be quickly drained.
• The smaller parts that come with Operation are choking hazards, so be sure that smaller children are monitored at all times while they play.
• Avoid losing the parts that are required to play Operation, especially the white plastic ailments. Losing those parts renders the game essentially unplayable unless you pay to replace them or simply go buy a second game.