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Quizzes > History > Modern History

Prove Your Mob Trivia Skills - Take the Quiz Now!

Ready for this mobster trivia quiz? Challenge yourself now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art collage mob trivia challenge featuring cutout figures of Al Capone and John Gotti on dark blue background

This mob trivia quiz helps you name famous mobsters, from Al Capone to John Gotti. Work through quick questions on Prohibition hits, rackets, and nicknames, then see where you stand and pick up a new fact or two. When you finish, sharpen your skills with extra Godfather questions .

Which mobster was nicknamed "Scarface"?
Vito Genovese
Al Capone
Lucky Luciano
John Gotti
Al Capone was an American gangster who led the Chicago Outfit and gained the nickname "Scarface" after receiving a distinctive facial scar during a bar fight in his youth. He became the most notorious symbol of organized crime during Prohibition. His life and crimes have been extensively documented and studied.
Who is considered the architect of the modern American Mafia structure called the Five Families in New York City?
Charles "Lucky" Luciano
Carlo Gambino
Frank Costello
Joe Bonanno
Charles "Lucky" Luciano reorganized New York's Mafia into the Five Families after the Castellammarese War, establishing the modern structure of the American Mafia. His influence created a more cooperative national commission among families. Luciano is often credited as the founder of the contemporary organized crime system in the U.S.
What was John Gotti's famous nickname?
Big Al
Scarface
The Fox
The Teflon Don
John Gotti earned the nickname "The Teflon Don" because charges against him repeatedly failed to stick during trials in the 1980s. His courtroom charisma and skilled legal defense helped him avoid conviction until later in his career. The nickname stuck as a testament to his ability to evade the law.
Which notorious gangster was finally imprisoned for tax evasion in 1931?
Al Capone
Meyer Lansky
Tony Accardo
Bugsy Siegel
Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion in 1931 after prosecutors proved he had not paid taxes on his illicit earnings. His high-profile trial marked one of the first major successes in using tax law to imprison organized crime figures. He served over seven years in federal prison.
Which mobster was instrumental in developing the Las Vegas casino scene during the 1940s?
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel
Joe Bonanno
Vito Genovese
Albert Anastasia
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel played a key role in financing and building the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, laying the groundwork for the city's transformation into a gambling mecca. His vision attracted investment and organized crime backing to the desert. Siegel's influence remains a central chapter in Las Vegas history.
Who succeeded Carlo Gambino as boss of the Gambino crime family in 1976?
Paul Castellano
Thomas Bilotti
John Gotti
Aniello Dellacroce
After Carlo Gambino's death in 1976, Paul Castellano was appointed boss of the Gambino family, despite some preferences for Aniello Dellacroce. Castellano shifted the family's focus toward white-collar ventures. His leadership led to internal tensions that later fueled John Gotti's rise.
Which mob boss was known as "The Prime Minister" for his political connections?
Vito Genovese
Meyer Lansky
Frank Costello
Lucky Luciano
Frank Costello earned the nickname "The Prime Minister" because of his deep connections with politicians and union leaders, which he used to influence votes and policies. He focused on political corruption rather than street violence. His influence peaked in the late 1940s before a failed assassination attempt forced him into retirement.
Under whose leadership did the Genovese crime family become one of the most powerful Mafia groups in the U.S.?
Tony Accardo
Vito Genovese
Joe Colombo
Carlo Gambino
Vito Genovese took control of what became the Genovese family after World War II, solidifying its power through political bribery and strategic alliances. He moved the family's center of operations to Greenwich Village and built a reputation for ruthless enforcement. The Genovese family remains one of the most organized and secretive Mafia groups.
Where did the famous 1957 mob summit, known as the Apalachin meeting, take place?
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Havana, Cuba
Chicago, Illinois
Apalachin, New York
The 1957 Apalachin meeting was a gathering of over 100 Mafia leaders held at the estate of Joseph Barbara in Apalachin, New York. Local police raided the meeting, exposing the nationwide scope of organized crime. This event prompted the FBI to recognize La Cosa Nostra as a national organization.
Which Mafia member was nicknamed "The Bull" before turning government witness and testifying against John Gotti?
Vito Genovese
Sammy Gravano
Tommy Lucchese
Frank Nitti
Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano was underboss of the Gambino family and participated in numerous hits before deciding to cooperate with federal authorities. His testimony against John Gotti in 1992 was crucial to Gotti's conviction. Gravano's cooperation represented one of the biggest law enforcement wins against the Mafia.
Which gangster published the autobiography "Underboss" detailing his role in the Gambino family?
Vincent Gigante
John Gotti
Carlo Gambino
Sammy Gravano
Sammy Gravano co-authored "Underboss," which chronicled his rise within the Gambino family and his turn as a government witness. The book provides a detailed, firsthand account of Mafia operations and internal dynamics. It remains a primary source for understanding organized crime from an insider's perspective.
Which Mafia leader established the original Commission to mediate disputes among families in 1931?
Joe Masseria
Salvatore Maranzano
Al Capone
Charles "Lucky" Luciano
After the Castellammarese War, Lucky Luciano formed the Commission in 1931 to serve as a governing body for the Mafia, preventing inter-family wars. The Commission was modeled on a board of directors and included leaders of the Five Families. It became the controlling authority for organized crime in the U.S.
Which landmark federal statute, passed in 1970, has been used extensively to prosecute organized crime?
Mann Act
Lindbergh Law
Volstead Act
RICO Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, enacted in 1970, provides enhanced penalties for racketeering activity and allows leaders of crime syndicates to be tried even if they did not carry out the criminal acts themselves. RICO has become a central tool in dismantling organized crime networks. Its broad provisions facilitate asset forfeiture and wiretap authorizations.
Who orchestrated the infamous Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport in 1978?
James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke
Victor Amuso
Henry Hill
Paul Vario
James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke masterminded the Lufthansa heist, which netted around $5 million in cash and jewels, making it one of the largest cash thefts in U.S. history. He recruited members of the Lucchese family and associates like Henry Hill for the job. The heist and its aftermath have been extensively covered in books and films.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Legendary Mobsters -

    Recall key figures like Al Capone and John Gotti by name, nickname, and role in organized crime.

  2. Understand Organized Crime History -

    Trace the rise and fall of major crime families and the social context that gave birth to mob culture.

  3. Differentiate Crime Families -

    Distinguish between regional syndicates and their leadership structures across different eras.

  4. Recall Notorious Crimes & Convictions -

    Match infamous mob hits, racketeering schemes, and landmark prosecutions in mobster trivia.

  5. Analyze Cultural Impact -

    Examine how movies, books, and media have shaped public perception of gangsters and organized crime.

  6. Enhance Your Mob Trivia Mastery -

    Apply your knowledge in fun quizzes and challenges to prove you're the ultimate trivia boss.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Prohibition Era & the Birth of Mob Trivia Icons -

    Delve into 1920 - 1933 Prohibition to see how an underground liquor trade gave rise to mob trivia legends like Al Capone. According to FBI.gov, this era cemented organized crime networks, so remembering "1920 - 1933 = booze boom" can help you ace any mob trivia quiz. Use the mnemonic "Pro-Boom" (Prohibition + Boom) to link dates with bootlegging facts.

  2. Family Hierarchy: Boss to Soldier -

    Understanding the structure - Boss, Underboss, Capo, Soldier - is crucial for any organized crime quiz. A handy mnemonic is "Big Ugly Cats Snarl," which maps B-U-C-S to each rank. The University of Chicago's crime studies note that knowing these titles helps you decode mobster trivia questions about command chains.

  3. Landmark Legislation & High-Profile Trials -

    The RICO Act of 1970 revolutionized gangster trivia by making it easier to prosecute crime families. DOJ archives show key trials like John Gotti's "Teflon Don" case turned legal history into prime mobster trivia quiz material. Remember "RICO = Racketeer Influenced" whenever you see questions about legal takedowns.

  4. Notorious Figures & Their Nicknames -

    From Al "Scarface" Capone to John "Dapper Don" Gotti, nicknames are staples of gangster trivia. The National Archives emphasizes that memorizing alias origins - like Capone's facial scars - makes you a mob trivia master. Try flashcards pairing name, nickname, and a one-line backstory to boost recall.

  5. Cultural Impact: Films, Books & Quizzes -

    Iconic works like The Godfather and Goodfellas shape public perception, feeding both organized crime quiz questions and pop-culture references. A University of Oxford film study highlights how these narratives anchor memorable trivia moments. Link each media title to a real-life fact - e.g., Michael Corleone's tactics mirror actual mob strategies - to reinforce learning.

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