Russian Mafia Russian Mafia — how to play
Simple rules — the game also teaches you as you play.
The idea
Town versus Mafia. At night the Mafia removes townspeople; by day the town hunts for the Mafia and votes. The phones replace the cards and the host — you just play.
Getting started
- 5 to 20 players. Three ways to play: one phone passed around the circle; everyone on their own phone (Wi‑Fi, hotspot or internet — join by code or QR); a quick online game with random players.
- The phones secretly deal the roles. Tap your card, read your role and your character’s story, close it — and don’t show your neighbours.
- Introductions: everyone tells the table about their character. The “strange thing about that night” is a clue — real or invented.
Night
- The town falls asleep. Everyone taps on their own phone — citizens too (they name a suspect), so timing and movements give nothing away.
- The Mafia picks a victim (the Don decides; without a Don, the majority). The Doctor heals, the Detective investigates, the Maniac kills on their own.
Morning and day
- In the morning the app tells what happened at night: who is out and what is behind it.
- By day — speeches around the table and open discussion. Anyone can put a suspect up for the vote.
- Secret vote: the player with the most votes is out. On a tie — defence speeches and a re-vote between the tied players.
- The Sheriff may shoot once per game in the daytime — but then everyone learns their role. In “One phone” mode this is done through the “Shoot” curtain.
Who wins
- The town — when no Mafia (and no Maniac) is left.
- The Mafia — when it equals the rest in number.
- The Jester — if they get voted out. The Maniac — if they are the last one standing.
Roles
- Citizen — looks for the Mafia and votes. Mafia — picks a victim at night and knows their own. Don — head of the Mafia, decides the kill and hunts for the Detective.
- Doctor — heals one player at night (never the same one two nights in a row). Detective — checks one player: Mafia or not. Bodyguard — shields someone with their own body.
- Maniac — kills alone, against everyone. Lover — “occupies” a player: their night move is cancelled. Journalist — compares two players: same team or not.
- Witness — watches who visited a chosen player at night. Jester — wants to be voted out. Werewolf — plays for the Mafia. Kamikaze — if voted out, takes anyone down with them. Sheriff — shoots once in the daytime.
Detective mode
A solo game: solve a murder. Question the suspects, check alibis and telltale details, name the killer. The Case of the Day is the same for the whole world every day; in the Reverse Case you are the killer and must not get caught.
Online with random players
Instead of free chat — ready-made phrases in each player’s own language, instead of names — nicknames. A bot takes the place of anyone who leaves; if the table’s host quits, another player’s phone carries the game on. Any player can be reported or blocked.