How to play Mafia (also known as Werewolf)
Mafia, also known as Werewolf, is a hidden-role social deduction game for a group of 5 or more. A narrator (or the app) secretly assigns each player a role - Mafia, Doctor, Detective, or Villager - and the game alternates between a silent Night phase, where the Mafia secretly choose a victim, and a Day phase, where everyone debates, accuses, and votes to eliminate a suspect. The Mafia win once they equal the Town in numbers; the Town wins once every Mafia member is voted out.
The night and day loop
Each round has two phases. At Night, everyone closes their eyes: the Mafia silently pick someone to eliminate, the Doctor picks someone to protect, and the Detective investigates one player to learn if they're Mafia. At Day, the elimination (if any) is revealed, and the whole group discusses, defends themselves, and votes to eliminate whoever they suspect is Mafia. The cycle repeats until one side wins.
The four roles
Every player gets one secret role, dealt at random when the game starts.
- Mafia - Work with your fellow Mafia to eliminate the town before they catch you.
- Doctor - Each night, choose one player to protect from the Mafia.
- Detective - Each night, investigate one player to learn if they're Mafia.
Night phase moments
Sample flavor and beats that play out while everyone's eyes are closed.
- The Mafia silently open their eyes and agree on a target with a nod or a pointed finger.
- The Doctor picks one player to protect - sometimes themselves, sometimes a hunch.
- The Detective points to a player and learns whether they're Mafia or innocent.
Day phase debate prompts
The accusations, alibis, and votes that decide who gets eliminated.
- "Where were you last night?" - the first accusation always starts an alibi war.
- A quiet player suddenly gets grilled: staying silent looks just as suspicious as talking too much.
- The Detective drops a subtle hint about their investigation without blowing their cover.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Mafia (Werewolf)?
Mafia - also known as Werewolf - is a party game where players are secretly split into two teams: the Mafia (or Werewolves), who know each other and eliminate one Villager each night, and the Town, who must figure out who the Mafia are before it's too late. It's a game of bluffing, deduction, and persuasion.
How many players do you need to play Mafia?
You need at least 5 players to deal all four roles (Mafia, Doctor, Detective, and Villagers), though Mafia plays best with 7 or more - the bigger the group, the more chaotic and fun the debates get.
What's the difference between Mafia and Werewolf?
They're the same game with different theming. "Mafia" swaps the werewolves for organized-crime members and the villagers for townsfolk, but the roles, the night/day loop, and the win conditions are identical.
Is the online Mafia game free to play?
Yes. Creating a room, dealing roles, and playing through the full night/day cycle is completely free - no app download and no sign-up required.
Can you play Mafia online with friends who aren't in the same room?
Yes. Start a room on k13.games, share the invite link, and everyone gets their secret role and takes their night actions from their own phone - perfect for remote game nights over a video call.
How does someone win a game of Mafia?
The Mafia win once their numbers equal or outnumber the Town. The Town wins once every Mafia member has been identified and voted out. Every round of night eliminations and day votes pushes the game toward one of these outcomes.
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