# 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:** 54
**Author:** ![TexCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/texcat/32/9041_2.png) [@TexCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TexCat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1061 "2015-08-07T23:33:47Z")
NETA: I don’t think it violates the spirit of the game. A common technique for town vigilantes, a role we don’t have in this game, is to kill the lynch runner-up if a townie was lynched. I see this as sort of a similar strategy. I just don’t see how it might work. ---
**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 8, 2015, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1062 "2015-08-08T01:53:49Z")
> [@TexCat](#): > > NETA: > > I don’t think it violates the spirit of the game. A common technique for town vigilantes, a role we don’t have in this game, is to kill the lynch runner-up if a townie was lynched. I see this as sort of a similar strategy. I just don’t see how it might work. **TexCat** , the strategy we formulated on Day One would have been near certain to work. That was voted down by some as not being “in the spirit of the game.” Then the tie rules were amended. What I have come up with, I think, gives us a better chance than if we do not use it. but is not guaranteed. The benefit is that it improves our chances if at least one of the two chosen players is Wolf. If they are both town…well we were destined to mis-lynch anyway. And it could indicate Alpha. So my PLAN B is not sure-fire. It is based on mafia suspicions generated from the game, but will require some to be told to vote a certain way and then their following through. And if we don’t get general agreement from everyone still playing, it will not work. I cannot go into more detail without giving the wolves information that they may use to plot at Night to combat the plan. If that sounds sketchy, I am sorry. It will depend on our First Mason revealing himself. But I will say no more until others respond. So lets not talk about any more details of the actual plan. There’s plenty of time for that NextDay — and if the plan is flawed then no harm done. But if someone honestly feels that such a technique violates the spirit of the game, please speak now. I will take the hint and not bring up tie-breaking any more if I get the feeling that many believe that using the tie- breaker in this manner is still wrong. ---
**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 8, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1063 "2015-08-08T03:11:51Z")
For what it is worth, I think **Jimmy Chitwood** is town and that we should not be trying to lynch **TexCat** anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Sario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sario/32/18580_2.png) [@Sario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sario)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1064 "2015-08-08T03:13:30Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > **TexCat** , the strategy we formulated on Day One would have been near certain to work. That was voted down by some as not being “in the spirit of the game.” Then the tie rules were amended. > > What I have come up with, I think, gives us a better chance than if we do not use it. but is not guaranteed. The benefit is that it improves our chances if at least one of the two chosen players is Wolf. If they are both town…well we were destined to mis-lynch anyway. And it could indicate Alpha. > > So my PLAN B is not sure-fire. It is based on mafia suspicions generated from the game, but will require some to be told to vote a certain way and then their following through. And if we don’t get general agreement from everyone still playing, it will not work. I cannot go into more detail without giving the wolves information that they may use to plot at Night to combat the plan. If that sounds sketchy, I am sorry. It will depend on our First Mason revealing himself. But I will say no more until others respond. So lets not talk about any more details of the actual plan. There’s plenty of time for that NextDay — and if the plan is flawed then no harm done. > > But if someone honestly feels that such a technique violates the spirit of the game, please speak now. I will take the hint and not bring up tie-breaking any more if I get the feeling that many believe that using the tie- breaker in this manner is still wrong. I was one of the ones against the original plan, and I’m quite wary of this one. Also, if the First Mason outs him/herself, they will likely be killed that Night, as we no longer have our Guardian. ---
**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 8, 2015, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1065 "2015-08-08T10:46:47Z")
> [@Sario](#): > > I was one of the ones against the original plan, and I’m quite wary of this one. Also, if the First Mason outs him/herself, they will likely be killed that Night, as we no longer have our Guardian. **Sario** , I do not want to hijack discussion away from who wolves are or are not. That’s the key to us winning no matter what strategy we employ. So can we all just get back to that for now, please? Just let me know if you are against such a plan on principle alone. Otherwise, the merit of Plan B debate can come next Day. ---
**Author:** ![TexCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/texcat/32/9041_2.png) [@TexCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TexCat)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1066 "2015-08-08T13:45:03Z")
The original plan involved someone dictating how everyone voted. I am assuming your new plan still allows everyone, or almost everyone, to vote for who they find most wolfish? ---
**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 8, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1067 "2015-08-08T15:52:02Z")
Like **Texcat,** I can’t see how any manipulation of the current tie-breaker would guarantee us outing a wolf, or even increase our odds. The original plan violated the spirit of the game because it turned the game into something that isn’t Mafia. It was just a math problem at that point. Whether your plan will do the same is something that can be determined tomorrow, when you tell us about it. ---
**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 8, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1068 "2015-08-08T18:33:42Z")
> [@TexCat](#): > > The original plan involved someone dictating how everyone voted. I am assuming your new plan still allows everyone, or almost everyone, to vote for who they find most wolfish? Details are dangerous. We can choose the most wolfiest as a group. It’s not mafia versus math, it is mafia with an assist from math. Is not that okay and in spirit? ---
**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 8, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1069 "2015-08-08T18:40:18Z")
Anyone else think there is a lot to gain from\*\* Bayard\*\*'s post 1009? I think we can infer more from those not connected as much with **JSexton** than those he may have praised or even sparred. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1070 "2015-08-08T19:50:25Z")
I’m investigating slowly those mentioned in 1009. I hope to have some good analysis after this Night. ---
**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 8, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1071 "2015-08-08T21:36:32Z")
> [@Sario](#): > > I was one of the ones against the original plan, and I’m quite wary of this one. Also, if the First Mason outs him/herself, they will likely be killed that Night, as we no longer have our Guardian. First Mason is still important in that he may break ties in the endgame. Also the FM in danger of lynching may claim, if only to be killed the following night. But if the trade is for wolf, and likely the Alpha, then it is a good trade… with all due apologies to our FM. ---
**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 9, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1072 "2015-08-09T14:03:34Z")
You know, this day almost seems like Night time. And in a way, that makes sense. Nothing we say today is going to lead to a lynch today. If we point accurate suspicion, the wolves have time toNight to discuss how to counter it. If we point inaccurate suspicion, the wolves can talk toNight about how to foster it. Maybe for once lack of posting is a good thing. ---
**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 9, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1073 "2015-08-09T14:11:41Z")
Though a discussion of Bayes’ Theorem is probably not going to gain much traction either! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1074 "2015-08-09T17:37:09Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > You know, this day almost seems like Night time. And in a way, that makes sense. Nothing we say today is going to lead to a lynch today. If we point accurate suspicion, the wolves have time toNight to discuss how to counter it. If we point inaccurate suspicion, the wolves can talk toNight about how to foster it. Maybe for once lack of posting is a good thing. Checking in and +1 -ing this. ˆˆ ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1075 "2015-08-09T19:41:01Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Though a discussion of Bayes’ Theorem is probably not going to gain much traction either! 🙂 Yeah, I guess you’d need to talk with Chronos about that. ---
**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 9, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1076 "2015-08-09T21:19:58Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > You know, this day almost seems like Night time. And in a way, that makes sense. Nothing we say today is going to lead to a lynch today. If we point accurate suspicion, the wolves have time toNight to discuss how to counter it. If we point inaccurate suspicion, the wolves can talk toNight about how to foster it. Maybe for once lack of posting is a good thing. I dunno; there’s a 100% chance somebody from Town is going to be dead before the next chance we get to talk about it. That suspicion will never be considered if it isn’t posted toDay. ---
**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 9, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1077 "2015-08-09T23:04:05Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > I dunno; there’s a 100% chance somebody from Town is going to be dead before the next chance we get to talk about it. That suspicion will never be considered if it isn’t posted toDay. Good point. Probably best not to assume anything at this time. But I think nextDay is going to be MIGHTY interesting… ---
**Author:** ![TexCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/texcat/32/9041_2.png) [@TexCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TexCat)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1078 "2015-08-10T00:52:49Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Though a discussion of Bayes’ Theorem is probably not going to gain much traction either! 🙂 Are you the same person who asked for help calculating simple probabilites? ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1079 "2015-08-10T02:32:30Z")
**Anyone object terribly if I end the Day a bit early tomorrow? I have to go out at 11 and would like to post Day’s end before then.** ---
**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 10, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/1080 "2015-08-10T02:36:26Z")
> [@TexCat](#): > > Are you the same person who asked for help calculating simple probabilites? I had my reasons. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099.md?page=55)