Want the moderator to play too? Create a browser-run Mafia room. Each phone handles its owner's private role and the software resolves the night and vote.
Choose a balanced card set
| Players | Mafia | Detective | Doctor | Villagers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 11–13 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6–8 |
| 14–16 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8–10 |
These match the game's automatic deck. For a first session, do not add optional roles. A moderator who includes the Jester, Serial Killer, or Vigilante needs extra wake-up calls and different win checks.
Before dealing
- Count one card per player and shuffle without looking.
- Keep paper and a pen for night targets, Detective results, protection, and voting.
- Seat players so the moderator can see every gesture.
- Choose whether eliminated roles will be revealed. This script uses role reveal because it matches Mafia Night.
- Explain that eliminated players may watch but must not speak, react, or signal.
Night one
Use the same wake order and a similar pause length every night. Changing your timing based on who is alive can reveal information.
If the Doctor selected the Mafia target, nobody dies. Otherwise record the chosen victim. Do not reveal whether a quiet night came from protection.
Dawn and discussion
If the attack succeeded:
If the Doctor saved the target:
For beginners, let each living player speak once before opening free debate. Avoid confirming private role claims. The moderator states mechanical outcomes but never judges a player's story.
Call and count the vote
Choose one method and use it consistently. Simultaneous pointing is fast but can be hard to count; written ballots are private but slower. A roll-call vote creates the clearest public record.
Count the totals. This script uses the Mafia Night rule: eliminate a player only if they are the single highest vote-getter and their total is greater than abstentions.
For a tie or an abstention block:
Later nights
Repeat the same calls even after a special role dies. For example, still say “Detective, open your eyes,” pause, and then close the role. Otherwise the duration of the night reveals whether the Detective remains alive.
At the end of every death or vote, count living sides:
- If no Mafia remain, Town wins.
- If living Mafia equal or outnumber all other living players, Mafia wins.
- Otherwise begin another night.
Win announcements
Reveal all remaining cards after the announcement. If the group wants a rematch, collect every card before discussing who played each role so the new shuffle remains clean.
Printable role cards
Use the print button and select only the pages containing cards if your browser includes the whole guide. Print multiple copies of Mafia and Villager cards for larger groups.
Use the script for Werewolf
The rules are identical. Replace Mafia with Werewolves, Detective with Seer, Doctor with Healer, Town with Village, and “night falls” with “the moon rises.” Keep the same wake order, target resolution, vote, and win thresholds. The Werewolf guide includes the complete theme glossary.