How to Play Mafia – Rules, Roles & Strategies

Mafia is the original social deduction party game where an informed minority (the Mafia) competes against an uninformed majority (the Villagers). Players secretly receive roles, then try to eliminate each other through logic, bluffing, and persuasion.

It was invented in 1986 by Dimitry Davidoff and has since inspired dozens of variations — including the popular Werewolf.

Objective

• Mafia: Eliminate the villagers until they’re equal in number.
• Villagers: Identify and eliminate all mafia members before it’s too late.

Age Range

Ages 10 and up. Younger kids can play with simplified rules and fewer roles.

Game Length

15–45 minutes depending on group size and pace:

• 7–10 players → about 15 minutes
• 10–15 players → about 30 minutes
• 15–20 players → about 45 minutes

A good moderator keeps things moving quickly, and experienced players make discussions faster and funnier. With a slow or new group, expect the game to take a bit longer.

Why We Like It for Kids and Families

• No equipment needed — just players and imagination.
• Great for large groups (classrooms, camps, family gatherings).
• Builds persuasion, critical thinking, and listening skills.
• Replayable — every round plays out differently.

Skills Learned

• Social deduction
• Critical thinking
• Bluffing and persuasion
• Group discussion and collaboration

What You Need

• 7+ players (10–12 is ideal)
• A moderator (does not play, only runs the game)
• Role cards (can be slips of paper: “Mafia,” “Villager,” etc.)

How to Play Mafia in 9 Steps

Step 1: Gather players
You’ll need at least 7 players plus a moderator. More players = more fun.

Step 2: Choose a moderator
The moderator organizes the game, narrates day/night phases, and manages eliminations. The moderator should ideally be someone familiar with the rules and comfortable leading a group, since a confident moderator makes the game more fun and keeps it moving. If no one has played before, pick someone who’s quick on their feet and enjoys narrating.

Step 3: Deal role cards

• About 1 Mafia member for every 3–4 Villagers.
• Everyone secretly looks at their role and keeps it hidden.

Step 4: Begin the night phase
The moderator says, “Mafia, wake up.”

• Mafia members open their eyes and silently agree on one player to eliminate.
• The moderator notes the victim.
• Mafia close their eyes.

Step 5: Transition to the day phase
The moderator announces, “Everyone wake up. Last night, [X] was eliminated.”

Step 6: Group discussion
All surviving players (villagers + mafia pretending to be villagers) discuss who they suspect. Players can make arguments, ask questions, and accuse others.

Step 7: Vote to eliminate
The group votes. The player with the most votes is eliminated and reveals their role.

Step 8: Repeat phases
The game alternates between night (Mafia secretly eliminates one person) and day (group debates and votes).

Step 9: Declare a winner

• If Mafia = Villagers in number → Mafia wins.
• If all Mafia are eliminated → Villagers win.

Rules Summary

• Mafia eliminates 1 villager each night.
• Villagers debate and vote during the day.
• Moderator manages the game but does not play.
• Last side standing wins.

Variations

• Add Roles:
  • Doctor → chooses 1 player to save each night.
  • Detective → checks 1 player each night to see if they’re Mafia.
• Secret Ballot Voting: Instead of open voting, players vote silently to increase suspense.
• Quickfire Mafia: Shorter rounds with fewer Mafia for fast games.
• Open Mafia: In small groups, allow Mafia to be revealed immediately when eliminated.

Strategies

For Villagers:

• Pay attention to voting patterns — who’s protecting who?
• Look for nervous or inconsistent players.
• Talk openly — silence helps the Mafia.

For Mafia:

• Blend in — vote against each other occasionally to avoid suspicion.
• Deflect suspicion by accusing active villagers.
• Keep calm under pressure — overreacting draws attention.

For Moderator:

• Keep the pace moving.
• Stay neutral — don’t give away roles through tone or body language.

FAQs

Q: What is Mafia?
A: Mafia is a social deduction party game where Mafia members try to secretly eliminate villagers, while villagers work together to expose the Mafia.

Q: How many people can play Mafia?
A: 7+ is best. The game scales well up to 20+ players with a good moderator.

Q: What’s the difference between Mafia and Werewolf?
A: The core rules are the same. Werewolf is a themed variation with added roles like Seer and Hunter.

Q: Can kids play Mafia?
A: Yes, though you may want to simplify roles and avoid the “murder” theme — frame it as “tagged out” instead.

Q: If I like Mafia, what other games should I try?
A: Try Werewolf (fantasy version with more roles), Among Us (video game adaptation), or other social deduction games like Spyfall and The Resistance.