Prisoner's Gambit

Alluding to the famous game theory situation known as the Prisoner's dilemma, in a Mafia game this is typically an Endgame scenario where a single powerless Townie is left with a Serial Killer and a single Mafia; each player's normal play in this case will end up disastrous. For example:

• If the ProTown player helps Lynch one of the Scum, then the other one will kill them that Night. Therefore their only real option is to vote for No Lynch and wait to see what happens at night.
• If both Scum vote to lynch the Townie, then they are each left with only one Night Choice, killing each other and ending in a Draw. Therefore, they should either lynch the other Scum, or go for No Lynch.
• Assuming rational play, then, all three players have made it to Night; but now each Scum has a choice: kill the Townie, or eliminate their rival?
  • If one of them kills the Townie, and the other targets them for death, then they hand victory to their opponent.
  • However, if they both kill the Townie, then the two Scum survive until the next Day, and depending on the Game Moderator, they may both win, or be faced with killing each other anyway.
  • Finally, if they each kill the other Scum, then they hand victory directly to the powerless Townie.

The entire situation is predicated on trust and self-interest; thus far, no one has found a foolproof way to assure their own victory when this situation arises.