question about mafia members

[Don'tPostPersonalInfo:D]

I have noticed that some players maintain their mafia members like 499 or 498. Any special meaning about this?

[Idiosyncrasy]

Nothing special now with new rivals list. With the old rivals list, you were matched primarily on level and mafia count. Most experienced players maintained the full 500 mafia, and were only shown rivals who also had 500 mafia. In order to hide from those players and avoid getting robbed or attacked as often, people could duck out by dropping a mafia member or two.

Now, relative stats and IPH have a greater weight in the rivals list formation, and the level and mafia count ranges have been relaxed. People can no longer hide by dropping mafia. Some like it, some don't, but it is what it is, just like Facebook changes.