What is Mafia?
Mafia is the ultimate bluffing game, and this page removes the one thing that usually stops people playing it: a good narrator. Add the players, let the phone deal secret roles (each person taps to reveal their own role privately), then follow the narrator screens. At night the Mafia choose a victim, the Doctor protects someone and the Detective investigates; at dawn the phone reveals what happened; by day the town discusses, votes and eliminates a suspect.
The game checks the win conditions after every night and vote, keeps a log of every elimination, and finishes with a full role reveal. Roles are suggested from the player count (1 Mafia for 6, up to 4 for big groups) and you can adjust them, turn the Detective or Doctor off and set the discussion timer.
🕵️ Read the full guide: Mafia (and Werewolf): The 1987 Moscow Origin, Full Rules and Host Guide
Game setup
How to play Mafia
- Add every player and choose how many mafia.
- Pass the phone: each player taps to see their secret role, then hides it.
- Night — the host taps through: mafia choose a victim, doctor saves, detective checks.
- Morning — the screen reveals what happened; everyone discusses.
- Vote: tap the accused player to eliminate them.
- Repeat night and day until one side wins.
What the screen does for you
Mafia on AllPartyGames.com is the referee, not the whole game: it gives the host Deal roles, Wake the mafia / doctor / detective, Morning reveal, Discussion timer, Vote, Undo an accidental tap from the vote screen, while you bring one phone to pass around (this screen). Tap the ? button inside the game for these rules at any time, or 📺 for TV mode on a big screen.
How many players?
Mafia works with 6–20 players and a typical round takes about 20–45 min. Recommended age: 10+.
Best occasions
Variations
Tips
- Let a non-playing host hold the phone for the smoothest game; otherwise pass it face-down between screens.
- Ask everyone to put their hands on their knees during the night so nobody can tap the phone unseen.
- Use the discussion timer — arguments are the best part, but endless ones kill the game.
Mafia FAQ
How does the phone keep the roles secret?
Each player gets a "tap to reveal" screen while the others look away, then hides it before passing the phone on. Night actions are tapped by the narrator (or by the acting player while everyone else's eyes are closed).
How many Mafia should there be?
Roughly one in four: 1 for 4–6 players, 2 for 7–10, 3 for 11–14. The game suggests this automatically.
What is the difference between Mafia and Werewolf?
Only the theme: Werewolves replace the Mafia and the village replaces the town. The rules and roles are the same.
How many people can play Mafia?
It scales from a small group to a big party — add as many names as you like.
Is it safe for kids?
Yes. All prompts are family-friendly; pick the kids category where one is offered.