Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Society & Culture

How to Join the Mafia: Are You Mob Material?

Quick, free mafia quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jessie SalmansUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration with colorful layered shapes, question marks, checkmarks, digital device icons for fun online quizzes

This quiz helps you explore how to join the mafia in fiction, what the code expects, and how much you know about mob life. After you score, see which crew fits you with our mob role quiz, or test your facts with a tougher mafia trivia quiz.

What term is used to refer to a formal meeting between higher-ups in the mafia?
Commission Call
Family Council
Roundtable
Sit-down
A sit-down is an arranged meeting among mafia members, usually involving high-ranking figures to discuss conflicts or strategy. These meetings are secretive and follow strict protocols to maintain discretion and respect. Such gatherings help resolve disputes without violence and reinforce the hierarchical structure.
In mafia terminology, what does 'made man' mean?
Fully initiated member
Code enforcer
Hired contract killer
Family advisor
A 'made man' is a fully initiated member of the mafia who has earned the family's trust through service or loyalty. Only made men have certain privileges, like voting rights in the family council. Becoming a made man is considered the pinnacle of a mafia career.
Which of these is one of New York's original Five Families?
Gotti
Gambino
Maranzano
Castellano
The Gambino family is one of the Five Families that have dominated organized crime in New York City since the 1930s. These families formed after the Castellammarese War, under the guidance of Lucky Luciano. Each family controlled distinct territories and operations.
What is the name of the mafia's code of silence?
Fingerpunt
Omerta
La Cosa Nostra
Vendetta
Omertà is the code of silence that forbids members from cooperating with authorities or betraying the organization. It is a cornerstone of mafia culture and helps protect its operations. Violation of omertà is punishable by severe retaliation.
Which weapon became iconic in 1920s-era mafia culture?
Derringer pistol
Tommy Gun
AK-47
M16 rifle
The Thompson submachine gun, commonly known as the Tommy Gun, became synonymous with Prohibition-era gangsters. Its high rate of fire made it a favored weapon for violent confrontations. It also featured prominently in media depictions of the mafia.
Who is the head of a mafia family?
Don
Caporegime
Consigliere
Underboss
The Don, or boss, is the head of a mafia family and holds ultimate authority over its operations. The Don receives a cut of profits and makes final decisions on major actions. Below the Don are the underboss and consiglieri who assist in management.
What term is used for a mafia enforcer or 'muscle'?
Mediator
Button man
Associate
Accountant
A 'button man' is an enforcer who carries out violence on behalf of the family and earns his button only after proving loyalty. He wears a button signifying he reports directly to higher-ups. This role involves intimidation, collection, and protection duties.
What is the common term for payments made to a mafia group for protection?
Protection money
Commission fee
Tribute
Initiation fee
Protection money is paid by businesses or individuals to mafia groups in exchange for 'security' against vandalism or violence - often from the mafia itself. It is a key revenue source and a classic form of extortion. Refusal to pay can result in threats or physical harm.
In what year was the modern Mafia Commission established?
1945
1920
1957
1931
The modern Mafia Commission was established in 1931 by Lucky Luciano to settle disputes among families and coordinate national policy. It replaced violent feuds with organized governance. This body became the governing council for La Cosa Nostra.
Which mafia boss was nicknamed 'The Teflon Don'?
Vito Genovese
John Gotti
Lucky Luciano
Al Capone
John Gotti was called 'The Teflon Don' because charges against him in multiple trials failed to stick. His high-profile persona and courtroom charisma helped him avoid convictions. Media coverage elevated his fame and reputation.
What role does a 'consigliere' serve within the mafia?
Personal bodyguard
Trusted advisor
Financial officer
Public relations
The consigliere is the trusted advisor to the boss, providing strategic counsel and mediating disputes. They are not directly involved in street operations but hold significant influence. This role demands loyalty and wisdom.
In mafia structure, what is a 'family'?
A political alliance
A set of safe houses
A branch of criminal organization
A literal blood relative group
A mafia family is a regional branch of the criminal organization, not necessarily related by blood. Each family controls territory, collects revenue, and enforces omertà. They operate semi-autonomously under the Commission.
Which 2007 operation led to major convictions in Chicago's Outfit?
Operation Clean Sweep
Operation Mafia Strike
Operation New Dawn
Operation Family Secrets
Operation Family Secrets (2005 - 2007) was an FBI probe that exposed decades of crimes by Chicago's Outfit, leading to numerous convictions. Key informants described historic murders and racketeering. It remains one of the most successful organized crime investigations.
Who was the boss killed that triggered the Castellammarese War in the early 1930s?
Carlo Gambino
Salvatore Maranzano
Charles Luciano
Joe Masseria
Joe Masseria's 1931 assassination ignited the Castellammarese War, a power struggle among New York mafia factions. Lucky Luciano orchestrated Masseria's killing to establish a new order. This conflict redefined mafia leadership.
What is the entry-level rank in a mafia family?
Underboss
Associate
Capo
Soldier
An associate is someone who works with the mafia but is not yet a full member. Associates carry out tasks to prove loyalty before being considered for induction. They form the lowest tier of the organization.
What is the common term for a mafia lieutenant?
Hitman
Capodecina
Enforcer
Caporegime
A caporegime, or capo, oversees a crew of soldiers and reports directly to the boss or underboss. They manage daily operations and revenue collections within their subunit. The term literally means 'head of a regime.'
Which legal tool allowed federal prosecutors to charge mafia members for ongoing criminal enterprises?
Habeas Corpus
Espionage Act
RICO Act
Patriot Act
The RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) passed in 1970 enables prosecutors to target the leadership of criminal enterprises. It holds individuals accountable for racketeering activities conducted by the group. RICO has been instrumental in many mafia convictions.
Who was often referred to as 'The Godfather of the Godfathers' for his long tenure as boss?
Sam Giancana
Carlo Gambino
Vito Genovese
Angelo Bruno
Carlo Gambino led the Gambino family from 1957 until his death in 1976, making him one of the longest-serving bosses. His reign was marked by strategic alliances and relative stability. He earned the nickname due to his discreet but powerful leadership.
Which island is traditionally known as the birthplace of the Sicilian Mafia?
Corsica
Malta
Sicily
Sardinia
The Sicilian Mafia, or Cosa Nostra, originated in Sicily in the 19th century. It developed as a secret society in rural areas before expanding into urban centers. Today, Sicily remains a historical heartland of the organization.
What does RICO stand for?
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeering In Organized Crime Order
Regional International Crime Operations Act
Registered Individual Criminal Offense Act
RICO stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, enacted in 1970 to combat organized crime. It enables leaders to be charged for crimes they ordered others to commit. RICO has been pivotal in dismantling mafia leadership structures.
What significant gathering of mob leaders was raided by police in Apalachin, New York?
A funeral procession
An induction ceremony
A weapons exchange
A nationwide summit
The 1957 Apalachin meeting was a nationwide summit of over 100 mafia leaders, which was raided by New York State Police. The event exposed the national scope of organized crime to law enforcement. It forced public acknowledgment of the mafia's existence.
Who was the first mafia member to publicly acknowledge the existence of La Cosa Nostra?
Joe Bananas
Joseph Valachi
Frank Costello
Salvatore Lucania
Joseph Valachi broke omertà in 1963 by testifying before a Senate committee about La Cosa Nostra. His revelations confirmed the mafia's structure and operations to the public and law enforcement. This testimony led to increased federal investigations.
The 'Black Hand' extortion tactics were primarily used against which immigrant community in early 1900s America?
Irish
Italian
Jewish
Greek
The Black Hand was an extortion method targeting Italian immigrants, using letters threatening violence if payments weren't made. It predated the formal mafia and contributed to public fears of organized crime. Many victims were recent arrivals with limited police protection.
Which landmark Supreme Court case limited the FBI's use of warrantless wiretaps under the Fourth Amendment?
Gideon v. Wainwright
Miranda v. Arizona
Katz v. United States
Mapp v. Ohio
Katz v. United States (1967) held that the Fourth Amendment protects people, not places, and that wiretapping constitutes a search requiring a warrant. This ruling constrained federal agencies' ability to conduct warrantless surveillance against organized crime. It remains a cornerstone of privacy law.
What was the code name of the World War II cooperation between the U.S. Navy and mafia figures to secure Atlantic convoys?
Operation Underworld
Operation Torch
Operation Sea Lion
Operation Overlord
Operation Underworld was a secret 1942 agreement between the U.S. Navy and mafia leaders in New York to protect shipping from sabotage. The Navy sought cooperation from dockworkers under mob influence. It illustrates the mafia's strategic leverage during wartime.
0
{"name":"What term is used to refer to a formal meeting between higher-ups in the mafia?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What term is used to refer to a formal meeting between higher-ups in the mafia?, In mafia terminology, what does 'made man' mean?, Which of these is one of New York's original Five Families?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Mafia Terminology -

    Decode essential underworld jargon and secret codes to build a solid foundation for learning how to join the mafia.

  2. Identify the Hierarchical Structure of a Mafia Family -

    Recognize the roles from associates to bosses to grasp the internal dynamics and chain of command in mob organizations.

  3. Analyze Underworld Etiquette and Unwritten Rules -

    Examine the do's and don'ts of mob conduct to understand the social norms that govern interactions within the mafia.

  4. Apply Initiation Ritual Insights to Hypothetical Scenarios -

    Use knowledge of initiation ceremonies and oaths to navigate potential entry rituals in a controlled quiz environment.

  5. Evaluate Your Readiness Based on Boss-Level Strategies -

    Assess your strategic thinking skills against classic mob tactics to determine if you have what it takes to advance within the organization.

  6. Distinguish Between Fact and Fiction in Mafia Culture -

    Develop critical thinking skills to separate Hollywood myths from real mob practices and understand true mafia operations.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Omertà Code: Loyalty Above All -

    According to research from the University of Chicago Department of Criminology, the Code of Omertà is the unbreakable vow of silence that anchors any attempt at how to join the mafia. Committing to this oath means never cooperating with outsiders under penalty of expulsion. Remember the mnemonic SLIP (Silence, Loyalty, Integrity, Protection) to lock it in mind.

  2. Building Trust Through Actions -

    A 2021 study in the Journal of Criminal Justice highlights that trust is earned through consistent, small acts of service like delivering messages or safeguarding assets. Demonstrating reliability proves your understanding of how to join mafia groups by showing you bring value in low-risk tasks. Recall T.R.U.S.T (Teamwork, Respect, Unity, Steadiness, Tenacity) to stay focused on core behaviors.

  3. Underworld Etiquette and Protocols -

    FBI field guides emphasize strict rituals in greetings, attire, and communication - key steps when exploring how to join the mob. Simple gestures, like offering a steady handshake or wearing muted dark suits, signal respect for hierarchy and tradition. Practicing discreet eye contact and the "kiss of respect" can open doors to deeper circles.

  4. Deciphering Mob Codes and Symbols -

    According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, coded language and numeric symbols help maintain secrecy within mob operations. Phrases like "meeting at 187" translate to specific times or acts; decoding these signs is crucial for anyone researching how to join a mafia cell. Use a simple mapping - 187 = M (13) + A (1) + R (18) for "Mar" - to jog your memory.

  5. Navigating Initiation Rituals -

    Cambridge University Press studies on ritual theory note that induction ceremonies blend symbolic oaths, blood pacts, and formal entry rites to forge unbreakable bonds. Knowing each step answers the big question of how do i join the mafia without missteps. Embrace the "blood oath" formula - Ceremony + Oath + Witnesses - to remember each stage clearly.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Culture & Traditions Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker