Mafia de Cuba (2015) Board Game

Mafia de Cuba is a social deduction party game designed by Philippe des Pallières and Loïc Lamy and published by Lui-même in in 2015. Set in the world of organized crime in 1950s Havana, players take on various roles as they try to uncover who among them is the corrupt driver smuggling diamonds for the Mafia boss.

Game Components of Mafia de Cuba

Cigar box

Diamond tokens

Role cards (Godfather, Loyal Henchmen, Driver, Cleaner, FBI Agent, Thief, Street Urchin)

Player boards

Tokens for various actions and roles

How To Setup Mafia de Cuba

To set up the game, each player selects a role card, and the Godfather places a set of diamonds into the cigar box. Players then pass the box around, each opening it to decide whether to betray and steal diamonds or remain loyal. The last player, often the Godfather, has significant influence in determining the game’s outcome.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Social Deduction: Players must deduce the roles of others to make strategic decisions.

Bluffing: Players can bluff about their roles to mislead others.

Negotiation: Players negotiate and form alliances.

Objective: The goal varies by role:

Godfather and Loyal Henchmen: Protect the diamonds and identify thieves.

Thieves: Steal diamonds without being caught.

FBI Agent: Identify and expose thieves.

Cleaner: Eliminate thieves without shooting loyal members.

Driver: Originally a support role, but often reworked to be more dynamic.

Street Urchin: Act as a neutral party, sometimes aiding the thieves.

Player Experience

Playing Mafia de Cuba involves intense social interaction and strategic thinking. Each player must carefully consider their actions and the information they share to achieve their objectives. The game encourages bluffing, alliances, and clever deductions, making it highly engaging and unpredictable.

Pros

High Social Interaction: Encourages negotiation and bluffing among players.

Dynamic Roles: Each role has unique abilities and objectives, adding variety to gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and deduction.

Replayability: The random distribution of roles and diamonds ensures each game is different.

Cons

Balance Issues: Some strategies can break the game’s balance, particularly if the first player bags the FBI agent.

Complexity: The game has many intricate rules and interactions, which can be confusing for new players.

Role Imbalance: Certain roles, like the Driver, may need house rules to make them more engaging.

Personal Thoughts on Mafia de Cuba

Mafia de Cuba is ideal for players who enjoy social deduction games and are comfortable with bluffing and negotiation. It is best suited for groups of experienced gamers who can appreciate the complexity and depth of the game. However, new players may find the game overwhelming due to its intricate mechanics and potential balance issues. With some house rules and adjustments, Mafia de Cuba can offer a highly engaging and dynamic gaming experience.

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