diff --git a/game/sticks.go b/game/sticks.go
index 0b2d51a..4d1d816 100644
--- a/game/sticks.go
+++ b/game/sticks.go
@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@ const (
 
 // doZap performs a zap with a wand (sticks.c do_zap).
 func (g *RogueGame) doZap() {
-	p := &g.Player
-
 	obj, ok := g.promptPackItem("zap with", KindWand)
 	if !ok {
 		return
@@ -32,182 +30,248 @@ func (g *RogueGame) doZap() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	switch obj.WandKind() {
-	case WandLight:
-		// Reddy Kilowatt wand.  Light up the room
-		g.Items.Sticks[WandLight].Know = true
-		if p.Room.Flags.Has(Gone) {
-			g.msg("the corridor glows and then fades")
-		} else {
-			p.Room.Flags.Clear(Dark)
-			// Light the room and put the player back up
-			g.enterRoom(p.Pos)
-			g.addmsgf("the room is lit")
-
-			if !g.Options.Terse {
-				g.addmsgf(" by a shimmering %s light", g.pickColor("blue"))
-			}
-
-			g.endmsg()
+	if h := g.data.zapHandlers[obj.WandKind()]; h != nil {
+		if !h(g, obj) {
+			return // the zap aborted; no charge is used
 		}
-	case WandDrainLife:
-		// take away 1/2 of hero's hit points, then take it away evenly
-		// from the monsters in the room (or next to hero if he is in a
-		// passage)
-		if p.Stats.HP < 2 {
-			g.msg("you are too weak to use it")
-
-			return
-		}
-
-		g.drain()
-	case WandInvisibility, WandPolymorph, WandTeleportAway, WandTeleportTo, WandCancellation:
-		y := p.Pos.Y
-
-		x := p.Pos.X
-		for stepOk(g.Level.VisibleChar(y, x)) {
-			y += g.Delta.Y
-			x += g.Delta.X
-		}
-
-		if tp := g.Level.MonsterAt(y, x); tp != nil {
-			monster := tp.Type
-			if monster == 'F' {
-				p.Flags.Clear(Held)
-			}
-
-			switch obj.WandKind() {
-			case WandInvisibility:
-				tp.Flags.Set(Invisible)
-
-				if g.canSee(y, x) {
-					g.mvaddch(y, x, tp.OldCh)
-				}
-			case WandPolymorph:
-				pp := tp.Pack
-				g.Level.RemoveMonster(tp)
-
-				if g.seeMonst(tp) {
-					g.mvaddch(y, x, g.Level.Char(y, x))
-				}
-
-				oldch := tp.OldCh
-				g.Delta.Y = y
-				g.Delta.X = x
-				monster = g.randomMonsterLetter()
-				g.newMonster(tp, monster, g.Delta)
-
-				if g.seeMonst(tp) {
-					g.mvaddch(y, x, monster)
-				}
-
-				tp.OldCh = oldch
-
-				tp.Pack = pp
-				if g.seeMonst(tp) {
-					g.Items.Sticks[WandPolymorph].Know = true
-				}
-			case WandCancellation:
-				tp.Flags.Set(Cancelled)
-				tp.Flags.Clear(Invisible | CanConfuse)
-
-				tp.Disguise = tp.Type
-				if g.seeMonst(tp) {
-					g.mvaddch(y, x, tp.Disguise)
-				}
-			case WandTeleportAway, WandTeleportTo:
-				var newPos Coord
-
-				if obj.WandKind() == WandTeleportAway {
-					for {
-						newPos, _ = g.findFloor(true)
-						if newPos != p.Pos {
-							break
-						}
-					}
-				} else {
-					newPos.Y = p.Pos.Y + g.Delta.Y
-					newPos.X = p.Pos.X + g.Delta.X
-				}
-
-				tp.Dest = &p.Pos
-				tp.Flags.Set(Awake)
-				g.relocate(tp, newPos)
-			}
-		}
-	case WandMagicMissile:
-		g.Items.Sticks[WandMagicMissile].Know = true
-		bolt := newObject()
-		bolt.Kind = KindGold // C set o_type='*': draws a '*' and is not a weapon
-		bolt.HurlDmg = dice("1x4")
-		bolt.HPlus = 100
-		bolt.DPlus = 1
-
-		bolt.Flags = Missile
-		if p.CurWeapon != nil {
-			bolt.Launch = WeaponKind(p.CurWeapon.Which)
-		}
-
-		g.doMotion(bolt, g.Delta.Y, g.Delta.X)
-
-		if tp := g.Level.MonsterAt(bolt.Pos.Y, bolt.Pos.X); tp != nil &&
-			!g.saveThrow(VsMagic, &tp.Stats) {
-			g.hitMonster(bolt.Pos, bolt)
-		} else if g.Options.Terse {
-			g.msg("missle vanishes") //nolint:misspell // C's spelling, kept faithfully
-		} else {
-			g.msg("the missle vanishes with a puff of smoke") //nolint:misspell // C's spelling
-		}
-	case WandHasteMonster, WandSlowMonster:
-		y := p.Pos.Y
-
-		x := p.Pos.X
-		for stepOk(g.Level.VisibleChar(y, x)) {
-			y += g.Delta.Y
-			x += g.Delta.X
-		}
-
-		if tp := g.Level.MonsterAt(y, x); tp != nil {
-			if obj.WandKind() == WandHasteMonster {
-				if tp.On(Slowed) {
-					tp.Flags.Clear(Slowed)
-				} else {
-					tp.Flags.Set(Hasted)
-				}
-			} else {
-				if tp.On(Hasted) {
-					tp.Flags.Clear(Hasted)
-				} else {
-					tp.Flags.Set(Slowed)
-				}
-
-				tp.Turn = true
-			}
-
-			g.Delta.Y = y
-			g.Delta.X = x
-			g.runTo(g.Delta)
-		}
-	case WandLightning, WandFire, WandCold:
-		var name string
-
-		switch obj.WandKind() {
-		case WandLightning:
-			name = "bolt"
-		case WandFire:
-			name = "flame"
-		default:
-			name = "ice"
-		}
-
-		g.fireBolt(p.Pos, &g.Delta, name)
-		g.Items.Sticks[obj.Which].Know = true
-	case WandNothing:
 	}
 
 	obj.Charges--
 }
 
+// zapRayMonster walks the zap ray from the hero to the first blocking
+// spot and returns the monster standing there, if any (the shared
+// preamble of the C monster-affecting zap cases).
+func (g *RogueGame) zapRayMonster() *Monster {
+	p := &g.Player
+
+	y := p.Pos.Y
+
+	x := p.Pos.X
+	for stepOk(g.Level.VisibleChar(y, x)) {
+		y += g.Delta.Y
+		x += g.Delta.X
+	}
+
+	return g.Level.MonsterAt(y, x)
+}
+
+// zapVictim is zapRayMonster plus the flytrap release the C code does
+// before the invisibility-family effects.
+func (g *RogueGame) zapVictim() *Monster {
+	tp := g.zapRayMonster()
+	if tp != nil && tp.Type == 'F' {
+		g.Player.Flags.Clear(Held)
+	}
+
+	return tp
+}
+
+// The per-wand effect handlers, dispatched through gameData.zapHandlers.
+// Each is one case of the C do_zap switch; returning false aborts the
+// zap without using a charge.
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapLight(*Object) bool {
+	// Reddy Kilowatt wand.  Light up the room
+	p := &g.Player
+
+	g.Items.Sticks[WandLight].Know = true
+	if p.Room.Flags.Has(Gone) {
+		g.msg("the corridor glows and then fades")
+	} else {
+		p.Room.Flags.Clear(Dark)
+		// Light the room and put the player back up
+		g.enterRoom(p.Pos)
+		g.addmsgf("the room is lit")
+
+		if !g.Options.Terse {
+			g.addmsgf(" by a shimmering %s light", g.pickColor("blue"))
+		}
+
+		g.endmsg()
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapDrainLife(*Object) bool {
+	// take away 1/2 of hero's hit points, then take it away evenly
+	// from the monsters in the room (or next to hero if he is in a
+	// passage)
+	if g.Player.Stats.HP < 2 {
+		g.msg("you are too weak to use it")
+
+		return false
+	}
+
+	g.drain()
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapInvisibility(*Object) bool {
+	if tp := g.zapVictim(); tp != nil {
+		tp.Flags.Set(Invisible)
+
+		if g.canSee(tp.Pos.Y, tp.Pos.X) {
+			g.mvaddch(tp.Pos.Y, tp.Pos.X, tp.OldCh)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapPolymorph(*Object) bool {
+	tp := g.zapVictim()
+	if tp == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	y, x := tp.Pos.Y, tp.Pos.X
+
+	pp := tp.Pack
+	g.Level.RemoveMonster(tp)
+
+	if g.seeMonst(tp) {
+		g.mvaddch(y, x, g.Level.Char(y, x))
+	}
+
+	oldch := tp.OldCh
+	g.Delta.Y = y
+	g.Delta.X = x
+	monster := g.randomMonsterLetter()
+	g.newMonster(tp, monster, g.Delta)
+
+	if g.seeMonst(tp) {
+		g.mvaddch(y, x, monster)
+	}
+
+	tp.OldCh = oldch
+
+	tp.Pack = pp
+	if g.seeMonst(tp) {
+		g.Items.Sticks[WandPolymorph].Know = true
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapCancellation(*Object) bool {
+	if tp := g.zapVictim(); tp != nil {
+		tp.Flags.Set(Cancelled)
+		tp.Flags.Clear(Invisible | CanConfuse)
+
+		tp.Disguise = tp.Type
+		if g.seeMonst(tp) {
+			g.mvaddch(tp.Pos.Y, tp.Pos.X, tp.Disguise)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapTeleport(obj *Object) bool {
+	p := &g.Player
+
+	tp := g.zapVictim()
+	if tp == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	var newPos Coord
+
+	if obj.WandKind() == WandTeleportAway {
+		for {
+			newPos, _ = g.findFloor(true)
+			if newPos != p.Pos {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		newPos.Y = p.Pos.Y + g.Delta.Y
+		newPos.X = p.Pos.X + g.Delta.X
+	}
+
+	tp.Dest = &p.Pos
+	tp.Flags.Set(Awake)
+	g.relocate(tp, newPos)
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapMagicMissile(*Object) bool {
+	p := &g.Player
+
+	g.Items.Sticks[WandMagicMissile].Know = true
+	bolt := newObject()
+	bolt.Kind = KindGold // C set o_type='*': draws a '*' and is not a weapon
+	bolt.HurlDmg = dice("1x4")
+	bolt.HPlus = 100
+	bolt.DPlus = 1
+
+	bolt.Flags = Missile
+	if p.CurWeapon != nil {
+		bolt.Launch = WeaponKind(p.CurWeapon.Which)
+	}
+
+	g.doMotion(bolt, g.Delta.Y, g.Delta.X)
+
+	if tp := g.Level.MonsterAt(bolt.Pos.Y, bolt.Pos.X); tp != nil &&
+		!g.saveThrow(VsMagic, &tp.Stats) {
+		g.hitMonster(bolt.Pos, bolt)
+	} else if g.Options.Terse {
+		g.msg("missle vanishes") //nolint:misspell // C's spelling, kept faithfully
+	} else {
+		g.msg("the missle vanishes with a puff of smoke") //nolint:misspell // C's spelling
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapSpeed(obj *Object) bool {
+	if tp := g.zapRayMonster(); tp != nil {
+		if obj.WandKind() == WandHasteMonster {
+			if tp.On(Slowed) {
+				tp.Flags.Clear(Slowed)
+			} else {
+				tp.Flags.Set(Hasted)
+			}
+		} else {
+			if tp.On(Hasted) {
+				tp.Flags.Clear(Hasted)
+			} else {
+				tp.Flags.Set(Slowed)
+			}
+
+			tp.Turn = true
+		}
+
+		g.Delta.Y = tp.Pos.Y
+		g.Delta.X = tp.Pos.X
+		g.runTo(g.Delta)
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (g *RogueGame) zapBolt(obj *Object) bool {
+	var name string
+
+	switch obj.WandKind() {
+	case WandLightning:
+		name = "bolt"
+	case WandFire:
+		name = "flame"
+	default:
+		name = "ice"
+	}
+
+	g.fireBolt(g.Player.Pos, &g.Delta, name)
+	g.Items.Sticks[obj.Which].Know = true
+
+	return true
+}
+
 // drain does the drain-hit-points-from-player schtick (sticks.c drain).
 func (g *RogueGame) drain() {
 	p := &g.Player
diff --git a/game/tables.go b/game/tables.go
index 665aaed..2f9b2ac 100644
--- a/game/tables.go
+++ b/game/tables.go
@@ -132,6 +132,11 @@ type gameData struct {
 	// the cases of the scrolls.c read_scroll switch. The handler gets
 	// the scroll being read (the identify family needs its subtype).
 	readHandlers [NumScrollTypes]func(g *RogueGame, obj *Object)
+
+	// zapHandlers dispatches each wand kind to its effect method: the
+	// cases of the sticks.c do_zap switch. A false return aborts the
+	// zap without using a charge (drain life on a too-weak hero).
+	zapHandlers [NumWandTypes]func(g *RogueGame, obj *Object) bool
 }
 
 // ripWall is the repeated blank wall line of the tombstone art.
@@ -635,6 +640,22 @@ func newGameData() *gameData {
 			ScrollAggravateMonsters:   (*RogueGame).readAggravateMonsters,
 			ScrollProtectArmor:        (*RogueGame).readProtectArmor,
 		},
+
+		zapHandlers: [NumWandTypes]func(*RogueGame, *Object) bool{
+			WandLight:        (*RogueGame).zapLight,
+			WandInvisibility: (*RogueGame).zapInvisibility,
+			WandLightning:    (*RogueGame).zapBolt,
+			WandFire:         (*RogueGame).zapBolt,
+			WandCold:         (*RogueGame).zapBolt,
+			WandPolymorph:    (*RogueGame).zapPolymorph,
+			WandMagicMissile: (*RogueGame).zapMagicMissile,
+			WandHasteMonster: (*RogueGame).zapSpeed,
+			WandSlowMonster:  (*RogueGame).zapSpeed,
+			WandDrainLife:    (*RogueGame).zapDrainLife,
+			WandTeleportAway: (*RogueGame).zapTeleport,
+			WandTeleportTo:   (*RogueGame).zapTeleport,
+			WandCancellation: (*RogueGame).zapCancellation,
+		},
 	}
 }