A Simple Example Game

Author: Vitaly - mr. Koteo (Brisbane Mafia Club)

The Simplest Game Possible

Every Sports Mafia game begins with a night cycle — specifically, Night 1.

Imagine you are sitting at a table with 10 players. You are Player #6.

Right now, nobody knows their role. Everyone wears masks. The judge announces:

“Night begins.”

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Night 1 — How Roles Are Assigned

Night 1 is unique. This is when roles are assigned and when the dark team sees each other for the only time.

1. Masks on, silence, loud music

This prevents hearing small movements.

2. Judge assigns roles one by one

The judge calls:

• “Player One” → Player #1 opens eyes, receives role, closes eyes

• “Player Two” → same process

• …

• “Player Six” → you open eyes and receive a Red card, then close eyes again

All ten players receive their roles this way.

3. Judge calls the dark team

The judge says:

“Dark team, open your eyes.”

This is the only moment all dark players see each other.

During this meeting:

• The dark team identifies each other

• The Don identifies themselves to the other mafia players

• They have 1 minute to agree on who they want to eliminate in future nights

• After this minute, they will never see each other again at night

The judge observes all of this.

The judge then says:

“Dark team, close your eyes.”

4. Sheriff confirmation

The judge says “Sheriff,” and the Sheriff opens eyes only to confirm the role.

5. Night 1 ends (no checks)

No players are eliminated on Night 1. No checks happen on Night 1 for either Sheriff or Don.

The judge announces:

“Masks off. Day 1 begins.”

This starts the first day cycle, also called Round Zero.

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Day 1 (Round Zero)

During the day, players speak in seating order from #1 to #10. Each player gets 1 minute.

Round Zero is confusing for everyone because almost no information exists. That’s normal.

As Player #6, here are things you can talk about:

• Tone of previous speakers

• Changes in behaviour

• Nervousness or overconfidence

• How someone reacts to accusations

• First impressions

• Anything unusual you noticed

Speaking is important — silent players rarely help their team.

Long speeches are good if you use them well.

Nominations

Nominations happen during speeches, not afterwards.

A player nominates someone by saying:

“I nominate player number X.”

The judge must verbally confirm:

“Nomination accepted.”

Multiple nominations can happen during the same day.

Voting

Voting only happens after all speeches finish and only if there are nominations.

Voting rules:

• Judge calls each nominated player number in order

• When the judge calls a player number, players vote by placing their thumb down on the table

• Each player has one vote

• The player with the most votes leaves the table

If there is a tie:

1. Only tied players speak again

2. A second vote happens

3. If it is tie again → an additional vote to remove all tied players:

   1. If majority of the votes → all tied players leave, and night begins

   2. If minority of the votes → nobody leaves, and night begins

On Round Zero, it is very common that no player is removed, because there is not enough information for a confident decision.

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Night 2 and Later Nights

Starting from Night 2, the night works differently.

Dark team actions

• Dark players keep eyes closed

• The judge says: “Mafia, raise your pistols.”

• Mafia raise one hand (pistol position)

• The judge calls numbers: “Player One… Player Two… Player Three…”

• When the chosen target’s number is called, all dark players press the imaginary trigger (a downward wrist motion)

• All dark players must shoot the same player

• If shots differ, the kill fails

Sheriff and Don actions

Now actual checks begin:

• Don checks one player to see if they are the Sheriff

• Sheriff checks one player (red or dark)

End of night

Judge announces who was eliminated (if anyone).

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Mini-Walkthrough (6 Steps)

1. Night 1 begins

Masks on, roles assigned individually.

2. Dark team meets once

They see each other, Don identifies themselves, and they agree on future kills.

3. Sheriff confirms role

No checks on Night 1.

4. Day 1 (Round Zero)

Players speak 1 minute each. You speak as Player #6. Nominations can happen during speeches.

5. Voting

If nominations exist → vote by thumbs down. If tie → repeat speeches, repeat vote. If tie again → no elimination.

6. Night 2

Dark team shoots blindly using pistol-trigger motion. Don checks. Sheriff checks. Judge announces results.

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Typical Beginner Misconceptions

1. “I should stay quiet until I know more.”

Speaking is required. Even small observations help.

2. “Short speeches are safer.”

Long, meaningful speeches are excellent — use your full minute.

3. “I should avoid guessing.”

Guessing in Round Zero is normal. Logic starts later.

4. “I must solve the game immediately.”

Nobody solves Day 1.

5. “I keep forgetting what people said.”

Everyone does at first — it improves naturally.

6. “Voting feels confusing.”

It becomes easy with practice.

7. “Sheriff should reveal early.”

Not always — situation-dependent.

8. “If I speak incorrectly, I look suspicious.”

Mistakes are expected for beginners.

9. “I don’t know what to talk about.”

Talk about tone, behaviour, reactions, stress, or anything that catches your attention.

10. “Emotions can find the dark players.”

Might be useful a bit, but logic is more reliable.