How to Play Mafia: A Beginner’s Guide to the Classic Party Game

If you’re looking for a party game that combines strategy, deception, and laughter, Mafia is a timeless choice. Played in groups of 6 or more, it challenges players to figure out who among them is secretly the Mafia. This guide will walk you through the rules, roles, and gameplay so you can start playing Mafia right away.

What is Mafia?

Mafia is a social deduction game where players are divided into two groups:

• Mafia (the bad guys) who secretly eliminate others.
• Villagers (the good guys) who try to figure out who the Mafia is.

The goal:

• Mafia wins if they outnumber villagers.
• Villagers win if they eliminate all Mafia members.

Setup

1. Gather 6–20 players.
2. Use a deck of cards or slips of paper to assign roles.
   • Ace = Mafia
   • King/Queen = Villager
   • Jack = Doctor (optional)
   • Joker = Detective (optional)
3. Choose a Moderator (non-playing role) to guide the game.

Roles Explained

• Mafia: Works secretly at night to eliminate one player.
• Villagers: Discuss and vote during the day to catch the Mafia.
• Doctor (optional): Chooses one person to protect each night.
• Detective (optional): Can investigate one player per night to learn if they are Mafia.
• Moderator: Narrates the game and manages night/day cycles.

How to Play

Step 1: Night Phase

• All players close their eyes.
• Moderator calls, “Mafia, open your eyes.”
• Mafia chooses a target to eliminate.
• Doctor chooses someone to protect.
• Detective investigates a player.
• Everyone closes their eyes again.

Step 2: Day Phase

• Moderator announces who (if anyone) was eliminated.
• Remaining players discuss, argue, and accuse others.
• A group vote is taken to eliminate a suspected Mafia.
• The eliminated player reveals their role.

Step 3: Repeat

• Alternate between Night and Day until one side wins.

Example Round

1. Night: Mafia secretly votes to eliminate Alex.
2. Day: Moderator announces Alex was eliminated.
3. Discussion: Players argue—was it Chris? Sarah?
4. Vote: Group eliminates Sarah. She reveals she was innocent!
5. Game continues until Mafia or villagers win.

Tips for Playing Mafia

• Mafia players: Blend in, don’t act suspicious, and spread doubt.
• Villagers: Watch body language and voting patterns.
• Moderator: Keep the game moving and be clear in narration.
• Group size: Add more Mafia if playing with 12+ players.

FAQs

Q: Can kids play Mafia?
A: Yes, though it’s best for ages 12+. You can simplify rules for younger players.

Q: How long does one game take?
A: A typical game lasts 15–30 minutes, depending on group size.

Q: Is Mafia the same as Werewolf?
A: Yes—Werewolf is a popular variant of Mafia with slightly different roles and a spooky theme.

Conclusion

Mafia is a party game full of suspense, laughter, and strategy. Whether you’re playing with friends at a sleepover, in a classroom, or at a family gathering, the simple rules make it easy to learn and endlessly replayable.

Grab some friends, deal out the roles, and see who survives the night—will the Mafia succeed, or will the villagers rise up?