HT Games
Mafia is a social deduction game where players are divided into two teams: the Mafia and the Villagers. The goal of the Mafia is to eliminate all the Villagers, while the Villagers must identify and eliminate the Mafia members.
Here's how to play:
1. Setting Up:
* Choose a number of players: The game works best with 8-12 players.
* Assign Roles: The roles vary depending on the version, but common roles include:
* Mafia: They kill one villager each night.
* Villagers: They try to identify the Mafia.
* Doctor: They can protect one villager from the Mafia's attack each night.
* Investigator: They can investigate a player each night to find out if they are Mafia or a Villager.
* Other Roles: There are many more roles that add complexity and strategy, such as a Seer, Jester, Bodyguard, etc.
* Deal Cards: Distribute cards to each player, secretly indicating their role.
2. Game Phases:
Night Phase:
* Mafia: The Mafia players close their eyes. The game moderator tells them who to kill. The Mafia can't target the same person twice in a row.
* Other Roles (if applicable): The Doctor, Investigator, and other roles take their actions according to their abilities.
Day Phase:
* Discussion: All players open their eyes and discuss who they suspect to be Mafia.
* Voting: Players vote to lynch one player.
* Execution: The player with the most votes is eliminated.
3. Game End:
The game ends when either:
* All Mafia members are eliminated: The Villagers win.
* The Mafia outnumbers the Villagers: The Mafia wins.
Tips for Playing Mafia:
* Be convincing: If you are Mafia, pretend to be a Villager and make accusations against others. If you are a Villager, try to deduce who is Mafia based on their behavior and arguments.
* Pay attention to body language: Even if someone is lying, their body language can give them away.
* Use logic and deduction: Don't just follow the crowd. Analyze the evidence and make your own conclusions.
* Don't be afraid to make accusations: Even if you are wrong, it can help steer the conversation and expose the Mafia.
Variations:
There are many variations of Mafia, with different roles, abilities, and game mechanics. Some popular variations include:
* Werewolf: This is a common variation with a different set of roles.
* Secret Hitler: This version features political themes and adds a more complex voting system.
* The Resistance: This game has a similar concept but focuses on missions and sabotage.
Mafia is a fun and engaging game that requires skill, deception, and strategy. It's a great way to test your social skills and see how well you can read people.