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How to play Mafia
Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 22.01.03You need an odd number of people, ideally nine, 11 or 13. There are three "mafia" and the rest are "villagers". Roles are determined by pulling names out of a hat. No one must reveal their identity unless they are killed during the game.
1: The game takes place over several "days" and "nights". Play begins the first day and everyone discusses who might be in the mafia. In the first round, it is often down to wild guesses. Eventually a vote is called. The unlucky candidate has one chance to plead his/her innocence. It is a game of bluff and verbal skills.
If they fail, they are killed. At this point they must declare their identity (the first person removed becomes the village "mayor" and then controls the proceedings).
2: Night falls. Everyone closes their eyes.
3: The mayor tells the three mafia to open their eyes, making themselves known to each other, and then point to their chosen victim. They must do this silently so that the villagers cannot identify them. Then the mafia close their eyes.
4: The mayor announces that it's morning and names the mafia's victim. The villagers return to step one and start again. As the game proceeds villagers might spot the mafia by their suspicious support of another player - because the mafia will try to prevent other mafia being killed at all costs. The game is over when either the mafia or the villagers have been eliminated. Still confused? For a detailed description visit www.princeton. edu/~mafia/history)
