- Werewolf
Game Intro
Mafia (also called Werewolf) is a tense game of deception, persuasion, and survival. Mafia secretly eliminate players at night, while villagers debate and vote during the day. With each round, suspicion grows and alliances shift, until only one side remains.
The Background
Created in 1986 by Dmitry Davidoff, Mafia began as a classroom psychology experiment in Moscow. Over time, it spread to universities, youth groups, and camps around the world, with Werewolf emerging as its most popular variation.
Quick Facts
How to Play Mafia / Werewolf
-
How to Set Up Mafia/Werewolf
-
Choose a Moderator – Select a neutral player who won’t join the action. The moderator will run the night and day phases.
-
Prepare Role Slips – Write roles on folded pieces of paper. For example, in a 10-player game you might use: 3 Mafia, 1 Detective, 1 Doctor, and 5 Villagers. As a rule of thumb, assign 1 Mafia for every 3–4 players.
-
Distribute Roles Secretly – Shuffle the slips, then let each player draw one. Each player must keep their role secret.
-
Seat Players in a Circle – Sitting in a circle makes night actions smoother and day debates fairer.
-
Moderator Explains Rules – Remind the group that villagers win when all Mafia are eliminated, while Mafia win when they equal or outnumber the villagers.
-
-
Begin the Night Phase
Moderator instructs everyone to close their eyes.
-
Mafia Choose a Victim
Next, Moderator calls, “Mafia, open your eyes.” The Mafia silently open their eyes, point at their chosen victim, and then close their eyes when told.
-
Special Roles Act (Optional)
-
After that, the moderator calls for special roles:
-
Detective: Opens eyes and points at one player. Moderator silently nods yes or no if that player is Mafia.
-
Doctor: Opens eyes and points at one player to save. If that person is the Mafia’s target, the elimination is blocked.
-
-
-
Reveal the Day Phase
Moderator announces, “Everyone, wake up.” They then reveal who, if anyone, was eliminated overnight. If the Doctor saved the victim, the moderator declares, “No one was killed last night.”
-
Debate and Accuse
All players begin open discussion. Villagers speculate, while Mafia players try to deceive everyone. Transition words like however and for example often pepper the debates as players argue their innocence or suspicion.
-
Vote on a Suspect (Mafia)
Next, the moderator calls for a vote. Everyone points at or raises a hand for one player. Players eliminate the person who receives the majority vote. Eliminated players reveal their roles before leaving the game.
-
Continue the Cycle - Alternate Night and Day
After that, the moderator begins another night phase. Mafia select a new victim, special roles act again, and villagers debate once more the following day.
-
Endgame and Win Conditions
Finally, the game continues until villagers eliminate all Mafia or the Mafia outnumber villagers.
House Rules
-
Double Kill Vote: In case of a tie vote, eliminate both suspects to keep debates spicy.
Community Rules
No community-submitted rules for this game yet.
Tips & Strategies
Mafia should stay balanced: don’t act too quiet or overly defensive.
Villagers should watch voting patterns and arguments carefully.
In addition, playing multiple rounds lets strategies evolve and keeps everyone engaged.
Safety Note
Players sometimes argue fiercely — keep it fun, not personal.
FAQs
How many mafia should there be?
The best ratio is 1 Mafia for every 3–4 players. For example, a 12-player game might include 3–4 Mafia.
Can you play Mafia without a moderator?
You can, but it’s not recommended. A moderator ensures Mafia game rules run smoothly and avoids accidental reveals.
What are the best special roles in Werewolf?
Detective, Doctor, and Cupid are fan favorites that keep Mafia vs. Werewolf fresh.