The Night Cage is always played with at least 4 prisoners.

1 Player Game: The player controls all four Prisoners, taking a turn for each.

2 Player Games: Each player controls two Prisoners, taking a full set of materials for each Prisoner. It is recommended that players take both their Prisoner turns one after the other, rather than alternating for simplicity.

3 Player Games: Each player controls their own Prisoner with the 4th Prisoner being a dummy player. A full set of Prisoner materials is set at the table as though a live player was seated. Control of the 4th Prisoner is shared, beginning with the host or owner of the game, who takes the 4th Prisoner marker. When the 4th Prisoner is scheduled to take their turn, the holder of the marker does so. After which, the marker is passed clockwise to the next player for the following round.

4-5 Player Games: Each player controls one Prisoner.