The quick version
Use one moderator plus six to ten players: two Mafia, everyone else Town. First night only identifies the Mafia. Then alternate a daytime vote and a Mafia night choice. Town wins when no Mafia remain; Mafia win when they equal or outnumber the remaining Town.
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Deal roles and know the result
The group count includes the moderator. Seat six to ten active players in a circle and give seats visible numbers. Make exactly two Mafia slips and one Town slip for every other player, identical on the outside. Shuffle and deal one face down to each player; look privately and keep it hidden. There are no detectives, doctors or other powers in this version.
With everyone's eyes closed, have players hold their slips toward the moderator. The moderator records each name, seat and role privately, then has the slips lowered. Explain that eliminated people stop discussing, voting and signaling until the game ends.
After every elimination, the moderator checks the active roster. No Mafia left means Town wins. Mafia equal to or greater than Town means Mafia win immediately, including at dawn before another vote. Otherwise continue. The role mix and voting procedure here are suggested house choices, not a tournament standard.
Run night, discussion and vote
Meet the hidden team
Say: 'Everyone close your eyes. Mafia open your eyes and recognize each other. Mafia close your eyes. Everyone open your eyes.' Nobody is eliminated on this first night. Begin the first day.
Discuss for three minutes
All active players, including Mafia, discuss whom they suspect. Bluffing and claims about your role are allowed; showing a role slip is not. Talk about game choices and statements. The moderator keeps time without giving hints, then ends discussion for the vote.
Vote once
Each active player privately writes the seat number of one other active player, or writes 'pass'. Reveal together. The unique highest vote total eliminates that player; a majority is not required. A tied highest total or all passes eliminates nobody. Reveal an eliminated player's role and check the result.
Choose at night
If the game continues, everyone closes their eyes. The moderator wakes only active Mafia. They silently point to agree on one active Town player within 30 seconds; if they disagree, there is no elimination. The moderator acknowledges the choice without naming it and tells Mafia to close their eyes. Wake everyone, announce and reveal the eliminated player's role, check the result, then start another three-minute day.
End and reset
Repeat until a team wins; eliminated teammates share their team's result. Reveal all roles at the finish. If two complete day/night cycles eliminate nobody, end this house game as a draw rather than repeat indefinitely. For another game, rotate moderator, collect and reshuffle every role slip, and clear the roster.
Protect the hidden information
Rehearse the eye-opening script before dealing. Ask questions before roles are assigned so the first-time players understand what a vote can do. Keep a similar voice and pause for each night instruction; an accidental glance or whispered name can reveal a role.
Explain the choices afterwards, including what fooled the town. Elimination can mean several rounds watching, so let observers keep silent private predictions. Their notes never affect votes or communicate information to active players.
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Ideas & Twists
Choose a variation together before you start.
Mafia · See main rules
Suggested house variationRunoff vote
When the highest vote is tied, give each tied candidate up to 20 seconds to speak, then let all active players vote once more among those tied candidates, or pass. A unique leader is eliminated; another tie or all passes eliminates nobody. Then run the normal night. Team victory and the two-cycle no-progress draw stay unchanged.
About this guide
A two-role house introduction to Mafia. Mafia: Vendetta supports the moderator, hidden teams, first-night recognition and team victory conditions; Cornell's club rules illustrate that vote procedures differ. The role count, simultaneous written vote, clocks and no-progress draw here are house choices. Commercial editions add their own roles and procedures.
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