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Teens & Adults

Mafia (Werewolf)

A psychological game of deduction and deception. Great for large groups who love to argue and strategize.

Mafia (also known as Werewolf) is the ultimate game of social deduction, psychology, and persuasion. It pits an informed minority (the Mafia) against an uninformed majority (the Townspeople) in a battle of wits. The game is a masterclass in reading body language, detecting lies, and building alliances. Because the game relies entirely on verbal interaction and logical deduction, it creates an intense, immersive experience that can last for hours. Itโ€™s a favorite among teens and adults because it rewards strategic thinking and "theatrical" deception. Every round is a fresh mystery, and the post-game discussions where players reveal their secrets are often just as fun as the game itself.
Players
7+
Duration
45-60 mins
Budget
Free
Mess Level
Low

Note:Zero mess. A purely verbal game that can be played sitting in a circle.

๐Ÿ“‹What You Need

  • Deck of cards (optional to assign roles)

Hungry Players? ๐Ÿ•

Planning the food for after the game? Don't guess! Use our free party tools to feed the crowd.

How to Play

1

Roles

Assign roles: 1 Narrator, 2 Mafia, 1 Doctor, 1 Detective, remaining are Townspeople.

2

Night

Everyone closes eyes. Mafia wakes up to eliminate someone. Doctor saves someone. Detective investigates someone.

3

Day

Narrator announces who was eliminated. Townspeople discuss and vote to eliminate a suspect.

4

Win

Mafia wins if they equal townspeople number. Town wins if all Mafia are eliminated.

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • The Narrator is key to setting the mood.
  • Encourage roleplay and accusations.
  • As a townsperson, pay close attention to who is being too quiet or too loudโ€”often a sign of a hidden role.

Fun Variations to Try

โœจSpecial Roles

Add roles like "The Jester" (who wins if they get voted out) or "The Cupid" (who links two players together so if one dies, both die).

โœจFast Mafia

Limit the daytime discussion to exactly 3 minutes. This forces players to make hasty, often incorrect decisions, increasing the chaos.

Common Questions (FAQ)

QWhat is the best number of players?

8 to 12 players is ideal. Fewer than 7 makes the game too short, and more than 15 can make the discussion too chaotic for a single Narrator to manage.

QCan eliminated players talk?

Absolutely not! "Dead" players must remain silent and cannot reveal any information they learned while alive. They get the fun of watching the mystery unfold from the outside.
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Printable Asset

Mafia (Werewolf)

Free PDFA4/Letter

Includes high-quality rules, setup guide, and variation cards.
Perfect for hosting without a screen.