# Official Mafia Game Hosting Line **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 26, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736 "2009-08-26T03:24:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/1 "2009-08-26T03:24:08Z")
We didn’t have this, and it seemed needed. Mods, could this possibly be stickied? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/2 "2009-08-26T04:09:56Z")
I thought the whole thing was handled informally, by getting permission from mods. Or not. Anyone pending? ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/3 "2009-08-26T04:19:06Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I thought the whole thing was handled informally, by getting permission from mods. > > Or not. > > Anyone pending? Well, it _was_, but I figured this would be much more orderly. And while I’m here, I should put our names down. 1. Mahaloth/Pedescribe But I figure if other people are waiting, they should get to go ahead, since we’ve been kinda monopolizing (sorry) unintentionally. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/4 "2009-08-26T04:39:29Z")
I’ve got an idea for a game I want to do, but I think I should get some more experience as a player first. At the very least, I want to win at least one (I’m currently 0 for 2, with one undetermined yet), and I want to play at least one as Scum. So I’ll get in line after a few other folks do. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/5 "2009-08-26T11:52:58Z")
NAF and I have a Gastard game all designed and ready to go. It’ll be a short cycle game (2/1 or 3/1), require 15 players (less are doable, but it won’t be as fun) and should take less than a real-time month for the entire thing to play out. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/6 "2009-08-26T15:26:23Z")
I have a very bad idea of hosting a game. Who should I talk to for guidance on moderating a game, and who should I talk to for being warned off? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/7 "2009-08-26T16:34:04Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > I have a very bad idea of hosting a game. Who should I talk to for guidance on moderating a game, and who should I talk to for being warned off? I’ll help if you want. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/8 "2009-08-26T18:58:50Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’ll help if you want. Help me run a game, or help me not run a game? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/9 "2009-08-26T19:01:32Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > I have a very bad idea of hosting a game. Who should I talk to for guidance on moderating a game, and who should I talk to for being warned off? You can always send me a PM for advice if you like. I have run a few games and can either talk you into it or out of it, whichever you prefer. I can also probably make sure your game isn’t broken. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/10 "2009-08-26T19:52:56Z")
My current philosophy for running Mafia on the SDMB is that there’s room for one full-size game (25+) and one mini-game (10-15). I have a Conspiracy game that’s basically ready to go (just have to set up secret board, etc). It’s full-size. I could run it either here or over at [**Idle Thoughts** ’ board](http://psychopathgame.proboards.com/index.cgi). I also have my two mini-rules (Munchkin and Mutiny) that I can rerun at anytime (and probably will 😉 ). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/11 "2009-08-26T19:53:59Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > Help me run a game, or help me not run a game? Help you run it. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/12 "2009-09-17T17:49:04Z")
I’ve played a few games but never run one. Is it really complicated? Can you just make up your own set ups or are there pre-determined ones? (Like, I’m assuming if you designate too many scum roles, your people are screwed from the getgo.) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/13 "2009-09-17T18:42:39Z")
Pede and I are going to run the next game, which was 99% designed by him. Was anyone else pressing to have your game run? If it’s a big deal, we can wait. I know I’ve had a couple games back to back, but I’m only co-modding the next one. Mahaloth ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/14 "2009-09-17T19:43:50Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve played a few games but never run one. Is it really complicated? Can you just make up your own set ups or are there pre-determined ones? (Like, I’m assuming if you designate too many scum roles, your people are screwed from the getgo.) There are general guidelines for balancing a game, and it’s also a good idea to get the judgements of a few other folks (who obviously won’t be playing) before you start. For a relatively simple game (few power roles), the usual advice is either to make the Scum 1/4 of the players, or to make them about equal to the square root of the number of players (of course, if you have about 16 players, either guideline will work). For more complicated games (many power roles), there’s a point system devised by **JSexton** that can serve as a rule of thumb for balancing. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/15 "2009-09-17T19:59:45Z")
Thanks, **Chronos**. I’ll ask a few others before I start off on mine. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/16 "2009-09-18T18:36:27Z")
I haven’t play on here in a while, but I’m more than happy to help review games. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/17 "2009-09-18T21:14:28Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > I haven’t play on here in a while, but I’m more than happy to help review games. Thanks, I would be very much obliged! Is there a wait list for when games start, or do you ask a mod when you can post yours…or how does it work exactly? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/18 "2009-09-18T22:04:28Z")
I think over here it is first come first served. Other places we have other methods. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/19 "2009-11-27T18:16:18Z")
Having now both won and lost, and having played as both Town and Scum, I think I’m experienced enough to host one, but I’ll be gone much of December/January, so now’s not the time to start it. I’ll start a new one some time in late January, if there isn’t already one running. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736/20 "2009-11-29T15:44:51Z")
Drain Bead and I may have a game going the next little while. Anyway, nothing is for sure yet, but here we are signing up. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-mafia-game-hosting-line/507736.md?page=2)