# MAFIA: The Game - Ideal for Beginners \[Game in Progress\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 14, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099 "2015-07-14T00:45:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 51
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1001 "2015-08-06T00:56:27Z")
At the risk of being paranoid is it possible bayard is pulling an elaborate balls out scum fake claim? We could wait for tomorrow to lynch jsexton when bayard turns up dead . If bayard doesn’t turn up dead , it could be scum fucking with us, but that does give bayard another night investigation , so they would be the ballsiest scum ever if they tried that. The downside , it leaves jsexton alive to plot with his scum buddies tonight , and given he is an experienced player that may not be a great idea. Anyway something to ponder , or not. Might keep conversation going today , an early reveal of the result does allow scum to keep quite all day. If this is a scumtastic full scrotes out plan , not sure what the real seers plan should be, keep quite and counter tomorrow I would think? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1002 "2015-08-06T01:22:07Z")
Assuming the rules allow it, I can post a screenshot of my Role PM on tinypic or something for all to see. I don’t know if that’s considered going off board, though. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1003 "2015-08-06T01:32:30Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Assuming the rules allow it, I can post a screenshot of my Role PM on tinypic or something for all to see. > > I don’t know if that’s considered going off board, though. I know I believe you. If there was another Seer and you were wolf this would not make any sense. You’d be outing yourself for no reason. Lobo\*\* JBSexton\*\* is toast. Also no point in second-guessing your decision. Let’s roll with it and see where it goes. Perhaps the tide is turning… ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1004 "2015-08-06T01:41:34Z")
Don’t know where I got the “B” in **JSexton** ’s name. Guess it can stand for “Bagged.” ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1005 "2015-08-06T02:04:25Z")
Nice friggin’ work, **Bayard.** > [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Right now posts 204-206 look very suspect. OTOH, they may just have been the early joviality they seemed. “Very suspect” is, I think, the highest degree of certainty I’ve seen you express. And it’s over that? [QUOTE=DiggitCamara] For instance: having lost 2 of our Masons, the third one becomes, essentially, a Powerless Townie. [/QUOTE] Not really, though. We all know there’s exactly one of each mason, so if somebody claims mason at this point it’s basically the same as claiming any other unique power role – if nobody else steps up to contradict the claim, the mason power has basically self-confirmed. Not that it’s exactly ideal we’re down two of 'em, obviously, but we still get a little bit of utility out of the power. There was something else, what was it – oh right **Vote JSexton** ---
**Author:** ![Cygnus42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Cygnus42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cygnus42)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1006 "2015-08-06T03:08:06Z")
Well, **Thing Fish** , I’d still like to see your detailed analysis of all my witty and insightful commentary… though it will likely reveal me to be a clueless noob flailing about here. While it’s annoying to be wrong about **Dante G** , at least I was apparently right about **JSexton**. So, I can take credit for something here at least. It was said before the Dante vote - we probably didn’t get much information out of his lynch. He was a new (to SDMB) player, playing erratically and confusing everyone along the way. But, maybe we can get some info from JSexton - as was mentioned earlier, he was the leading vote-getter early in Day 1, but then the tide turned to septimus / Texcat somehow. Maybe there will be some wolf-tracks to be found there, which turned the tide away from JSexton in the first place. I’ll take a look at that area tomorrow. Oh yeah, **vote JSexton** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1007 "2015-08-06T03:24:24Z")
Now, let’s all go back and read every one of **JSexton** ’s lies. Why did he post them? ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1008 "2015-08-06T03:25:24Z")
On it, actually. Returning to my pet project from before – > [@](#): > > JSexton 4 (Mahaloth, Cygnus42, Bayard, Pepperwinkle) > TexCat 4 (Chronos, Plumpudding, sangfroid, septimus) > Septimus 2 (JBravo, TexCat) > Dante G 2 (Chitwood, Biotop) > Chronos 1 (JSexton) > Sario 1 (me [ed. note: me is **Thing Fish** - JC]) > Sangfroid 1 (PCM) Given the assumption that **Bayard** isn’t just making this up: - at least 2 Town were voting for **JSexton** , plus **Cygnus** and **Prof. P** - at least 2 Town were voting for **TexCat** , plus **Plumpudding** and **sangfroid** - **JSexton** had a one-off vote on **Chronos** , who was Town - me and **Biotop** had votes on a Townie **Dante G** - **Thing Fish** and **pcm** had one-off votes on undetermineds **DiggitCamara** , **Sario** and **Dante** then all voted for Townie **septimus** , setting Town into a bit of a tailspin that we still haven’t really gotten out of. **Dante** was Town and thus wasn’t saving anyone. If **TexCat** is Town, scummy **Diggit** and/or **Sario** could still have very well have been moving to save **JSexton** , but why use **septimus** to do it? Why not **TexCat**? Is there a coherent narrative to explain that? If **TexCat** is Town, and **Diggit** and **Sario** were _not_ scum moving with purpose to save **JSexton** , on the other hand, then where could the wolves have plausibly been at this point? Presumably not as the other votes on **JSexton**. They could have been on **TexCat** – two “openings” there. They could have been on **Dante G** – two spots there, although one of them was me, and I ain’t a wolf. They could have been on **septimus** already, except that’s only one additional person - **Johnny Bravo**. Or they could have been the other one-offers or not voting at all - not sure how many abstainers there were at this moment. What I’m saying is, if they were scattered among those groups as opposed to actively participating in moving the vote, they would be occupying almost all of those spots while the rest of the implausible end of day scenario unfolded entirely between Townies in a way that was very very convenient for them to sip bloody everyones in the shade. Last scenario - if **TexCat** is the Alpha, on the other other hand, then it’s comparatively easy to read. Two Wolves are on the chopping block, **TexCat** fights valiantly to stay alive, and her buddies rally just in time, with help from dummies like me, to get **septimus** up there instead. So you’ve got your **JSexton** scum, your **TexCat** scum, probably either **Diggit** or **Sario** or both as rescue scum, and then just one or two scum hidden in those other groups from above. Check my thinking here, since I’m out of time for right now, but as I read it, it does seem to me that Occam’s razor would suggest that the easier scenarios to make sense of are the ones we should be leaning towards. By that reading, seems like our frontrunners should be **TexCat** , **Sario** , **DiggitCamara** , wild card. No? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1009 "2015-08-06T03:51:42Z")
Since the game started, I’ve been keeping a spreadsheet with all players’ names across the top and down the side. Sort of an X-Y axis like those mileage grids you used to see in road atlases. Where players intersect, I colored the squares red or green to show if they voiced support or suspicion of each other. So, it’s pretty crude and only shows current state, not change over time. But it helps me visualize the relationships. It’s sort of a “heat map”. Anyway, I figure the wolves most likely won’t talk to or about each other all that much if they can avoid it. If I were a wolf I’d probably try to have the blandest interaction possible with my fellow wolves. (Of course I’m just guessing – I really don’t know how I’d play that side.) Anyway, I looked on my grid for the players that **JSexton** didn’t express much opinion on, and who in return didn’t express much opinion on him. The players who pretty much left each other alone. I’m not saying this is really strong proof of wolfitude, but it may be something. And I’m sure my scorekeeping is off. I’m sure I missed some posts and mischaracterized others. But as far as I can tell, the players **JSexton** said very little about, and who said little about him in return are: **DiggitCamara Johnny Bravo Precambrianmollusc Sario Texcat** Those five and **JSexton** make 6, so they can’t all be wolves. And I still don’t think **TexCat** is the Alpha. So, to my mind that leaves **DiggitCamara, Johnny Bravo, Precambrianmollusc, and Sario** as players we might want to take a good look at. I note that **Precambrianmollusc** has cast doubt on my role claim and has not yet voted for **JSexton**. **Precambrianmollusc** , whose side are you one? ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1010 "2015-08-06T04:03:16Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > At the risk of being paranoid is it possible bayard is pulling an elaborate balls out scum fake claim? We could wait for tomorrow to lynch jsexton when bayard turns up dead . If bayard doesn’t turn up dead , it could be scum fucking with us, but that does give bayard another night investigation , so they would be the ballsiest scum ever if they tried that. > The downside , it leaves jsexton alive to plot with his scum buddies tonight , and given he is an experienced player that may not be a great idea. > Anyway something to ponder , or not. Might keep conversation going today , an early reveal of the result does allow scum to keep quite all day. If this is a scumtastic full scrotes out plan , not sure what the real seers plan should be, keep quite and counter tomorrow I would think? I’m sorry, but this is one of the scummiest ideas I have ever seen. Let’s suppose, for a second, that **Bayard** is scum. As such, he would know **JSexton** ’s alignment. So a.) If \*\*JSexton \*\*is scum he’d be… “vindicated” I guess. But would have to do some serious explaining about being alive b.) If \*\*JSexton \*\*is town, he’d… have gotten a Townsperson lynched. To what avail? (unless \*\*JSexton \*\* is the Seer, that would be a rotten exchange for the Wolves) Now, as scum, what would they have gotten out of the deal? If b.) A Wolf in Seer’s clothing. So? The Seer would either still be out there (and could even put another Night’s work in) and **Bayard** would not only have to explain why he’s still alive but also give another target or the Seer= **JSexton** and **Bayard** would be lynched I’m really sorry, but I simply can’t see any motivation for the post but that of a newbie Scum who is desperately searching for a way to rescue his outed compadre. If I were allowed two votes, I’d vote for you right here right now. As it is, I’ll vote for you toMorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1011 "2015-08-06T04:03:25Z")
Was throwing out something I think town should discuss , all jumping on. A jsexton vote pretty much shuts down discussion for the day which is something scum would like. I am very suspicious of those who have been saying " the texcat question needs to be resolved by lynching texcat, there were a few this morning right off the bat. JC analysis above also seams to rely on texcat being the alpha wolf. Will try and look more at the flow or reasoning tomorrow . fWIw jsexton only interaction with me was to say my case on thingfish was weak , so either covering for thingfish , or simply acting town and genuinely pointing out my case was weak . ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1012 "2015-08-06T04:11:41Z")
Discussion that there is a possibility the role claim is fake is scummy? Actively discussing possibilities rather than shutting down the day discussion is scummy ? If scum are thinking they are sitting fat and happy it could be an attempt to flush out the real seer with a counter claim. High risk essentially trading s wolf for a possible lead on the seer. ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1013 "2015-08-06T04:19:47Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > Discussion that there is a possibility the role claim is fake is scummy? Actively discussing possibilities rather than shutting down the day discussion is scummy ? If scum are thinking they are sitting fat and happy it could be an attempt to flush out the real seer with a counter claim. High risk essentially trading s wolf for a possible lead on the seer. Nope. What’s scummy is that the claim came from someone with no voting pressure. As it stands, a Wolf in that situation wouldn’t claim seer and ruin it. Not only that but **Bayard** ’s claim covers 2 living people, which would make it a far worse claim and even worse to sustain beyond toDay. Your reasoning is still very, very scummy. You still have my vote for toMorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1014 "2015-08-06T04:20:09Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > After the smoke cleared from the tide of self-votes and unvotes, we were at (as of post 460) > Dante G 2 (Chitwood, Biotop) > Chronos 2 (Sario, JSexton) > JSexton 2 (Mahaloth, Cygnus42) > TexCat 1 (Chronos) > Sario 1 (me) > Sangfroid 1 (Precambrian) > > Then Johnny Bravo made the first vote against Septimus, for “flip-flopping”. This isn’t inaccurate, but he didn’t explain exactly how he saw all this flip-flopping as hurting Town. Septimus in 556 (among other places) asked the question that all of his voters should have felt obligated to address (emphasis added by me): > > \ > > Then, Bayard and Pepperwinkle voted for JSexton and Plumpudding, sangfroid and septimus voted for TexCat. > JSexton 4 (Mahaloth, Cygnus42, Bayard, Pepperwinkle) > TexCat 4 (Chronos, Plumpudding, sangfroid, septimus) > Septimus 2 (JBravo, TexCat) > Dante G 2 (Chitwood, Biotop) > Chronos 1 (JSexton) > Sario 1 (me) > Sangfroid 1 (PCM) > > Then, suddenly septimus gets three more votes, from Diggit, Sario, and Dante G. None of them justified their votes at all; Diggit said he “seems the scummiest”, Sario said he “agrees with the case against Septimus” (what case?!), and Dante G claims that Johnny Bravo “pointed out some pretty convincing things.” I would bet my eyeteeth that there are at least two scum among those three. > > \ > > Johnny Bravo made what I thought was a very bogus case against septimus. On the other hand, he was about the only septimus voter who seemed at all interested in actually making a case, and he was the first to vote for him, so can’t be accused of jumping on a bandwagon. It’s possible that he was scum trying to keep his head down and cast a one-off vote, but since we now know that Chronos was Town, it seems likely that a wolf would have been more likely to jump on his bandwagon (or on JSexton’s or Dante G’s, if they are Town). Despite him pressing a ludicrous case against septimus, I still have relatively low suspicion. > > \ > > Diggit, Sario, Dante G: provided 3rd, 4th and 5th votes to put septimus in serious jeopardy. None of them offered a good reason for their vote, then or ever. Massive suspicion. > > \ > > Cygnus42: Broke the tie to put septimus on top with five minutes to go = huge, massive scumtell. Unvoted after the claim; not sure what to make of this. It’s what a Townie would have done; or, since it didn’t affect the outcome, what a Wolf looking for town cred might have done. But this would have required him to be quite sure about the vote count at the last minute, which seems unlikely. But then, if he was Town and believed the roleclaim, why did he only unvote septimus, but not vote for TexCat? Still going with “Massive suspicion”. Going back to **ThingFish’s** “Anatomy of a Massive Clusterfuck” after Day One. I snipped a lot of it (apologies if I misrep anything). As **ThingFish** pointed out, coming down to the wire on Day One, **JSexton** and **TexCat** were in the lead. Then, **DiggitCamara** , **Sario** , and **Dante G.** voted **septimus**. This does begin to look like **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** jumping in to protect **JSexton**. However, as **ThingFish** points out, why not vote **TexCat** if you want to protect **JSexton** , making it 6-4, instead of briefly having a three-way tie? Could it be that either **Johnny Bravo** or **TexCat** are the Alpha, so when **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** joined them in a vote for **septimus** , they figured there was a good chance of getting the tiebreaker? ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1015 "2015-08-06T04:44:32Z")
That’s enough of that. I’d rather go out gracefully.vote jsexton ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1016 "2015-08-06T04:46:00Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Could it be that either **Johnny Bravo** or **TexCat** are the Alpha, so when **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** joined them in a vote for **septimus** , they figured there was a good chance of getting the tiebreaker? Well, I don’t think so. Storyteller announced that he would be doing away with the tiebreaker rule in post #436. I voted for **septimus** in post #460. The new tiebreaker rule wasn’t established until vote #862. So for the entire duration the lynch on **septimus** , there _was_ no tiebreaker. I really can’t speak for the folks who followed me into the vote. That said, it’s still a good idea to look back at all the conversations around **jsexton** (assuming there’s no forthcoming counterclaim, and that seems unlikely at this point). That includes me. This is where we finally start breaking down the case. Unfortunately, all the analysis I did between Dawn and **Bayard** ’s claim (excellent work, btw) was on \*\*Mahaloth’\*\*s relationship with **Chronos**. I got as far as noticing that **Mahaloth** ’s vote on **JSexton** seemed to have been mostly motivated by one mason defending another. “_Ah ha_!” I said. “_Maybe **JSexton** is town after all._” :rolleyes: So yeah, nothing new for tonight. We have a long time before night, though, and we can use all of it to dig for clues in the record. ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1017 "2015-08-06T04:48:10Z")
A lot sure has happened since earlier today. First things first: unvote TexCat vote JSexton I’m on board this round, as it would seem **Bayard** is on the level. I agree that more would be lost than gained here by the wolves with an elaborate fake claim. All I know is I’m still Town, and I’ve still been darted by **Tex** and **PCMollusc** for basically no other reasons than “doesn’t post a lot” and “posts don’t really say much”. Maybe so. It just isn’t my style to post walls-o-text. That said, the Alpha in our situation is free to post anything, and appear as Townie as they would like, since there is no repercussion in being investigated. Perhaps our dearly departed **Chronos** was on to more than we know. Either way, **Precambrianmollusc** and **TexCat** are still on my list. Let’s see where the votes fall, and maybe we can get a little traction going. We could sure use it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1018 "2015-08-06T04:48:29Z")
Heh, ninja’d by the confession. Clearly no counterclaim coming! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1019 "2015-08-06T04:49:52Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Could it be that either **Johnny Bravo** or **TexCat** are the Alpha, so when **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** joined them in a vote for **septimus** , they figured there was a good chance of getting the tiebreaker? Probably simpler than that. Assume for the moment that **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** are scum. When they voted for **septimus** to get a three-way tie, there was still time to go and they would have no way of predicting that the tie would last. It could have just been a stop-gap vote. And at that point, **JSexton** still had his vote on **Chronos**. **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** (if they are wolves) could have just been waiting for **JSexton** to help himself. And in a couple of previous posts ([106](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18528466&postcount=106), [340](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18537878&postcount=340)), **JSexton** outlined how the wolves could use ninja lynches to avoid ties. So, one wolf is in trouble, two more jump into the fray, taking some of the heat off the first, and waiting for him to cast his vote to tip the scales if necessary. In the meantime, more votes pile in on **septimus** , so **JSexton’s** vote is no longer required to save his own skin. It’s a nice story. No idea if it’s true, though. ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1020 "2015-08-06T04:51:31Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Going back to **ThingFish’s** “Anatomy of a Massive Clusterfuck” after Day One. I snipped a lot of it (apologies if I misrep anything). As **ThingFish** pointed out, coming down to the wire on Day One, **JSexton** and **TexCat** were in the lead. Then, **DiggitCamara** , **Sario** , and **Dante G.** voted **septimus**. This does begin to look like **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** jumping in to protect **JSexton**. However, as **ThingFish** points out, why not vote **TexCat** if you want to protect **JSexton** , making it 6-4, instead of briefly having a three-way tie? > > Could it be that either **Johnny Bravo** or **TexCat** are the Alpha, so when **DiggitCamara** and **Sario** joined them in a vote for **septimus** , they figured there was a good chance of getting the tiebreaker? Interesting theories, one and all. Obviously I can’t speak for anyone else but: However: during the same Day I had at first voted for **DanteG** (who, by now, though tragically, is a known Townie). If we accept your premise (I was trying to save one of the two people who were leading the votes, or possibly both), I should have voted for **DanteG** who, after all, had been the leading votegetter earlier during that Day and was pretty scummy-looking at the time. As I explained later on, I voted for the person who seemed scummiest to me because he had endorsed a tactic which could be detrimental for Town and not the one whose words, though scummy, weren’t as harmful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099.md?page=52)