How to Play Mafia: Complete Rules Guide

Mafia is a party game where a small group of secret killers (the Mafia) tries to eliminate everyone while the rest of the table (Citizens) tries to figure out who they are. The game needs at least 6 players and one Game Master who runs the show.

No cards, no board, no app required — though a game master tool makes everything smoother.

• 6–16 players (8–12 is the sweet spot)
• 1 Game Master (GM) who doesn't play but runs the game
• A way to assign roles secretly — folded paper slips, a deck of cards, or a phone app

There are two main teams, plus optional independent roles:

• Citizens (the majority) — they don't know anyone's role and must find the Mafia through discussion
• Mafia (2–4 players) — they know each other and secretly agree on one player to eliminate each night
• Independent roles like the Maniac act alone with their own win conditions

See our complete role guide for every role explained.

1. The GM decides which roles are in the game based on the number of players
2. Roles are assigned randomly and secretly — each player sees only their own role
3. A good ratio is roughly 1 Mafia for every 3–4 Citizens

For detailed recommendations for every group size, see setup by player count.

The game alternates between two phases: Night and Day.

Night Phase

The GM says: "The city falls asleep." Everyone closes their eyes.

The GM then wakes each role one at a time:

1. Mafia — open your eyes, silently agree on one player to eliminate. Close your eyes.
2. Don (if playing) — open your eyes, point at a player. The GM nods or shakes their head to indicate whether that player is the Sheriff. Close your eyes.
3. Sheriff — open your eyes, point at a player. The GM nods or shakes their head to indicate whether that player is Mafia. Close your eyes.
4. Doctor — open your eyes, point at a player to protect from tonight's kill. Close your eyes.
5. Other roles act in turn depending on the variant.

The GM resolves the night: if the Doctor protected the Mafia's target, nobody dies. Otherwise, the target is eliminated.

First Night

The first night is usually special:

• Mafia meets and sees each other, but may or may not make a kill (depending on house rules)
• Special roles only reveal themselves to the GM — no actions yet
• The Doctor may or may not be active on the first night

Day Phase

The GM says: "The city wakes up." Everyone opens their eyes.

The GM announces who was eliminated during the night (without revealing their role in some variants).

Then the town discusses:

1. Discussion — players debate who they think is Mafia. Accusations, defenses, bluffs.
2. Nominations — any player can nominate someone for a vote. Multiple nominations are allowed.
3. Vote — the town votes on each nominee. The player with the most votes is eliminated.
4. Role reveal — the eliminated player's role is shown (in most variants).

Win Conditions

• Citizens win when all Mafia members have been eliminated
• Mafia wins when they equal or outnumber the remaining Citizens
• Independent roles (like the Maniac) have their own win conditions

One of the biggest house-rule decisions:

First Night Move ON:

• Mafia picks a target on night one
• Doctor is also active and can save someone
• The game starts with action immediately

First Night Move OFF:

• Night one is just for introductions — Mafia meets, roles say hello to the GM
• No one dies on the first night
• Gives players a chance to observe behavior before anyone is eliminated

Open vs Closed Mafia

Open Mafia (Classic): All Mafia members wake up together and silently agree on a target. They can see each other and communicate with gestures.

Closed Mafia: Each Mafia member wakes up separately and points at their target. If all targets match, the kill happens. If they disagree, the kill fails. This makes coordination harder and more interesting.

Role Reveal on Death

• Roles revealed: When eliminated, your role is shown. Gives the town more information.
• Roles hidden: The GM says nothing about the eliminated player's role. Much harder for Citizens.

Last Words

• Allowed: The eliminated player gets a final statement. They can share suspicions, reveal their role, or bluff.
• Forbidden: Eliminates the power of deathbed information dumps.

• Keep the pace. Night should take 30–60 seconds per role. Day discussion works best at 3–5 minutes.
• Be theatrical. Narrate the night with flavor. "A shadow creeps through the streets..."
• Stay neutral. Don't give away information through your tone or reactions.
• Track everything. Who was checked, who was healed, who was blocked — it adds up fast. A moderator tool helps.
• Start simple. For new groups, use only Mafia + Sheriff + Doctor. Add roles as players get experienced.

For a full hosting script with exact phrases, see our Game Master script.

• Too many special roles. With 8 players, you don't need a Lover, Courtesan, Maniac, AND a Doctor. Keep it balanced.
• Slow nights. If the GM fumbles the order or forgets who does what, the game drags. Practice the sequence.
• Passive Citizens. If nobody talks, Mafia wins easily. Encourage debate.
• Revealing roles too early. The Sheriff who announces themselves on day one usually dies on night two.

• Every Mafia Role Explained
• Game Master Script and Hosting Guide
• Your First Mafia Game
• Setup by Player Count: 6 to 16 Players
• Rules FAQ: Edge Cases Answered

Skip the paper slips and card shuffling. Start a game with automatic role assignment, night phase tracking, and morning summaries — free, no signup.