Sixteen study situations in refereeing
Situation 1. One nominated candidate
Setting. Only no. 7 is up for the vote. Some players think they leave automatically.
The host's action. The host announces the exact procedure for a single candidate from the accepted edition and does not replace it with a club custom.
Review. For the players: find out which votes affect the outcome and under what conditions. For the referee: find the matching clause and write it down.
Situation 2. Two candidates and a tie
Setting. After the vote, no. 3 and no. 8 get four votes each.
The host's action. The tie is recorded, then the procedure of extra discussion and voting under the rulebook is held, if it is provided.
Review. For the players: explain whether the tie was deliberate and who it helps.
Situation 3. Three candidates: 3-3-2
Setting. No. 2 and no. 5 get three votes each, no. 9 gets two.
The host's action. You cannot announce "a tie vote of all three". The leading candidates are identified and the next steps follow the rulebook.
Review. For the referee: name the list, the order and the conditions of the extra procedure.
Situation 4. A hand lowered early
Setting. Player no. 4 raised a hand for no. 6 and lowered it before the host's command.
The host's action. The fact is recorded and the current rule on taking votes and on penalties is checked.
Practice. The referee must name the observed action within five seconds, without an emotional judgement.
Situation 5. A late vote
Setting. A player tries to vote after the taking of votes has closed.
The host's action. The vote is not counted, or is counted only under the accepted procedure, without changing it for a particular player.
Practice. Repeat the vote with a timer and clear commands.
Situation 6. A double attempt to vote
Setting. A player voted for no. 3 and tries to vote for no. 8.
The host's action. Record the second action, determine its legal effect and the penalty under the rulebook.
Practice. The scribe records the actual vote and the violation separately.
Situation 7. Interrupting during an extra speech
Setting. After a tie, candidate no. 5 speaks and no. 2 argues from their seat.
The host's action. The referee stops the violation within their powers, records the fact and does not hint at the content of the speech.
Practice. A short, neutral wording for the referee.
Situation 8. A nomination that was not accepted
Setting. A player says a vague "we should remove six" but does not formally nominate.
The host's action. The host follows the exact requirements for a nomination and does not guess the player's will.
Practice. Ten wordings: which of them match the announced rulebook?
Situation 9. A gesture out of turn
Setting. During a closed procedure no. 9 shows a sign to a partner.
The host's action. Record the phase, the specific gesture and the rule on forbidden communication.
Practice. Tell an accidental movement from a targeted signal, without basing a decision on a guess.
Situation 10. Arguing with the host
Setting. A player loudly demands that an announced result be changed.
The host's action. Briefly state the fact and the procedure; move the question of an appeal to the order the rulebook provides.
Practice. Hold the conversation without personal polemics.
Situation 11. The scribe's mistake
Setting. The record shows two different results of a vote.
The host's action. Before announcing the result, check by permitted means what the referee observed; for an error that cannot be corrected, use the procedure provided by the rules.
Practice. Double recording for complicated votes.
Situation 12. A wrong number announced
Setting. The host misspoke and named no. 8 instead of no. 9.
The host's action. Do not go on by inertia: determine when and how the rulebook allows a correction, while staying neutral.
Practice. The assistant notes the moment the error was discovered.
Situation 13. A hint from a spectator
Setting. A spectator says something that may affect a decision.
The host's action. Stop the outside interference and record the incident; further measures follow the tournament regulations.
Practice. Draft rules for spectators before the evening starts.
Situation 14. A player leaves the table
Setting. A participant stands up and walks away during a game.
The host's action. The referee does not invent consequences: the rulebook on leaving, removal or a technical result applies.
Practice. Find the clause before the game and put it into the memo.
Situation 15. Contradictory night gestures of the mafia
Setting. Three black players showed different targets and the shot is not agreed.
The host's action. The host records the actions actually performed under the rulebook and does not help the team agree on a target.
Review. For the players: practise a simple agreement and a backup plan.
Situation 16. The sheriff speaks after the minute ends
Setting. The sheriff tries to finish a message about a check after the signal.
The host's action. The host applies the rules in the same way to all roles, whatever the importance of the information.
Review. For the players: practise a short reveal with the checks at the start of the speech.