Also called Werewolf
Mafia
Mafia is the classic party game of secret roles: a hidden Mafia team removes one player each night, and the Town votes one suspect out each day. Usually one person has to sit out and narrate. On CardYard the phone is the narrator, so everyone plays: it deals the roles, runs the night, keeps track of who is out and counts the votes. Free in your browser, no app, no cards, 5 to 16 players.
Full rules, role calculator and narrator scriptHow to play Mafia online
- Add 5 to 16 names in the order you sit. The phone suggests how many Mafia, a Doctor and a Detective for your group.
- Pass the phone round. Each player taps their name, sees a secret role, hides it and passes on.
- At night everyone takes a private turn: the Mafia pick a target, the Doctor protects someone, the Detective checks someone, and everyone else answers a decoy question so nobody can tell who has a power.
- In the morning the phone announces who is out. Talk, accuse and vote one player out. The Town wins when every Mafia is gone; the Mafia win when they are as many as the Town.
Three ways to play
- Everyone plays, one phone
- Pass the phone round for every private step. Nobody has to sit out to run the game, which is the usual complaint about Mafia.
- One narrator
- A classic eyes-closed game for big groups and classrooms. The narrator holds the phone, reads each line of the night script and taps who the players point at.
- Room: every phone
- Everyone joins with a code on their own phone. Night actions are silent, so nobody hears who is tapping, and it works on a video call too. The host needs Premium; everyone else joins free.
Mafia roles
- Mafia
- Outnumber the Town without getting caught. Pick someone to eliminate with your team.
- Doctor
- Help the Town find the Mafia. Protect one player from the Mafia.
- Detective
- Help the Town find the Mafia. Check one player: Mafia or not.
- Townsperson
- Find the Mafia and vote them out. No power. Answer the night question and bluff.
How many Mafia for your group
The game suggests this mix and lets you change it. More Mafia makes the game faster and harder for the Town.
| Players | Mafia | Doctor | Detective | Townsperson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 13 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 16 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
Mafia, Werewolf and a family version
Mafia and Werewolf are the same game with different names. Pick the Werewolf theme for a village, wolves, a Healer and a Seer. The Family theme has sneaky Pranksters instead of crime and no killing words, so it works for kids, youth groups and classrooms.
Mafia game questions
Can you play Mafia online with friends?
Yes. Play on one phone passed around the table, or open a Room so everyone joins on their own phone, in the same room or on a video call.
Do you need a narrator to play Mafia?
No. In the Everyone plays mode the phone runs the night, so all players take part. If you prefer the classic way, choose One narrator and the phone gives the narrator the script and keeps score.
How many players do you need for Mafia?
At least 5. It is best with 7 to 12 and works up to 16 on CardYard.
How many Mafia should there be?
About one Mafia for every four players: 1 for 5 or 6 players, 2 for 7 to 9, 3 for 10 to 13 and 4 for 14 to 16.
Can Mafia be played with 7 people?
Yes: 2 Mafia, a Doctor, a Detective and 3 Townspeople is a balanced game for 7.
Is Mafia OK for kids?
Choose the Family theme: the Mafia become Pranksters and nobody is killed, players are just pranked out.
What is the difference between Mafia and Werewolf?
Only the story. Werewolf is the same game set in a village, with wolves instead of gangsters. Switch themes in the settings.