30 Second MysteriesTM Instructions

To assemble stand-

a) insert one piece of red film into the rectangular opening on each side of the stand marked "30 Second Mysteries." The film slides into the track, behind the small tabs;

b) slide the pin at either end of one flap that says "Solution" into the hole on the left of the area with the red film, then bend the piece slightly and slide the pin into the hole on the right - the Solution flap will cover the red film;

c) repeat steps a) and b) for the other side of the stand;

d) slide the completed stand all the way to the base.

Set up

1. Players split into teams. The teams sit on opposite sides of the table, facing each other with the stand in between them. The team with the youngest player is Team 1; the other team is Team 2.

2. Place the assembled stand on the table between the two teams.

3. Each team chooses a scoring peg and places it in the single hole on the bottom right side of the base.

4. Slide a "30 Second Mysteries" card into o the opening in the center of the stand. The card will slide all the way to the bottom of the stand so that only The Case and The Mystery are visible.

Getting Clues and Asking Questions

To start play, slide the card up until a thick black line appears. This reveals one clue to each team. Flip over the timer. Team 1 has 30 seconds to read its clue and ask Team 2 a question. Team 2 must answer the question to the best of its ability.

After Team 2 answers, Team 2 flips over the timer and asks Team 1 a question. Team 1 must answer to the best of its ability.

Teams continue to reveal one clue, then take turns asking questions. Once a clue is revealed, it stays revealed as additional clues appear. Teams answer to the best of their abilities, based upon all the information available to them.

Solving the Mystery

Instead of asking a question, a team may try to solve the mystery. After one team announces its solution, it slides the card up until the fifth black line appears. Both teams lift up the flap marked "Solution" to reveal the solution.


If the guessing team is correct, it earns one point and places its scoring peg in the bottom hole of the five holes on its right.

If the guessing team is incorrect, the other team earns one point and places its scoring peg in the bottom of the five holes on its right.

Each time a team solves a mystery, it moves its peg up one hole. Each time a team tries to solve a mystery but gives the wrong solution, the other team moves its peg up one hole.

Neither Team Announces a Solution

If neither team guesses and all five of the clues are showing, flip over the timer. Both teams write a solution on the writing slates. When time is up, they reveal their solutions. Each team that answers correctly scores a point (both teams can earn a point.)

The Next Mystery

After scoring, remove the 30 Second Mysteries card from the stand and slide in another card. The team with the fewest points goes first. If teams are tied, the team that went last on the previous mystery goes first.

Winning the Game

The first team to score five points (move its peg to the top hole) wins the game.


Copyright ©1997 University Games