Masques of San Marco Slot Machine

Inspired by the Carnival of Venice, IGT has created Masques of San Marco video slot with Dual Play mode. It will take you for a nocturnal visit to this unique city famous for its baroque buildings and gondolas gliding through canals. Dual Play means the game plays with two sets of reels with 20 paylines, thus giving you 40 lines in total to win over.

The world-famous Carnival of Venice takes place each year during the second part of February and beginning of March. The tradition, which is famous for elaborate distinctive masks worn by participants, dates 9 centuries back. It was outlawed in 1797 under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor, only to reappear again towards the end of the 20th century. They say the Carnival was originally created as an occasion for people from all walks of life to dress as they liked rather than conform to rules linked to their social class and profession.

These days the event opens with the traditional "Festa delle Marie" which evokes the rescue of twelve brides kidnapped by a group of Dalmatian pirates in 946, and one can participate in a contest for the most beautiful mask or "la maschera più bella". Masks are often made out of porcelain, hand-painted and decorated with feathers and gems. There are several different kinds, the most popular being the Colombina, a half-mask which only covers the upper part of the wearer's face, and the grotesque Bauta, a simple white affair covering the entire face and featuring a prominent nose, beak-like chin and no mouth.

Dual Play Lets You Win on Two Sets of Reels

The collection of symbols includes several different masks, icons of the sun, the moon and a star, and a Wild which can substitute for any of those. You'll get paid for landing identical symbols on a payline from left to right, and each time you do, the cascading reels feature will make winning ones disappear in a show of fireworks and new ones materialise in their positions. This effectively allows one to win multiple times on a single bet and theoretically keep collecting until the sun comes up.

Another chance to play for free is offered to those who manage to get 3 Bonus icons on reels 1, 2 and 3. This combo will trigger 6 Free Spins and activate 20 extra paylines in addition to the original 40 from the base game. Players might frown on being given only 6 spins on the house, but be aware that the feature can be re-triggered and award up to as many as 300 free rounds.

Massive Payouts Offered via Multiple Free-play Opportunities

Players can set the line bet between £0.01 and £0.50, meaning they'll get to spin for a minimum of £0.40 and a maximum of £20. Long-term RTP ranges between 93.41% and 95.29% and the most valuable mask will pay up to 5,000x one's line bet. But don't forget you could be winning again and again thanks to the freefall cascading feature and accumulate massive amounts if lucky enough to keep re-triggering the Free Spins bonus round. IGT has made Dual Play mode a success with Da Vinci Diamonds and there's no doubt players will equally enjoy this unique mechanism in Masques of San Marco.

Try it out by joining a virtual masquerade and let lucrative extras make it an experience you'll never forget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Masques of San Marco slots?

Masques of San Marco has a variable RTP (Return to Player) ranging from 93.41% to 95.29%, depending on the casino configuration. The lower end is typical of land-based casino floor settings, while the higher figure reflects the best online configuration. The cascading reels and re-triggerable free spins — which can stack up to 300 free rounds — are the primary mechanisms that drive the game's long-term return to players.

Can I play Masques of San Marco slots for real money online?

Yes, Masques of San Marco real money slots are available at online casinos carrying the IGT game library, with good availability in the UK and regulated European markets. The game's minimum bet of £0.40 and maximum of £20 per spin make it accessible for a wide range of players. The Dual Play format delivering 40 paylines and the cascading reels feature make it an engaging real money experience at any stake level.

What is the Dual Play mode in Masques of San Marco?

Dual Play is an IGT mechanic that runs two identical sets of reels simultaneously on screen, each with 20 paylines. Both sets spin at the same time on every spin, combining for 40 total active paylines. Wins are evaluated independently on each reel set, effectively giving players two separate chances to win on every bet. IGT previously used this system successfully in Da Vinci Diamonds before applying it to Masques of San Marco.

How do the cascading reels work in Masques of San Marco?

Masques of San Marco uses a cascading (freefall) reels mechanic. When a winning combination forms, the winning symbols disappear in a burst of fireworks and new symbols fall down to fill the vacated positions. If the new symbols create another win, those also disappear and the process repeats — all within the same paid spin. This chain reaction can theoretically continue until no new winning combination is formed, allowing multiple wins from a single wager.

How are free spins triggered in Masques of San Marco?

Free spins in Masques of San Marco are triggered by landing 3 Bonus symbols on reels 1, 2 and 3. This awards 6 free spins and opens an additional 20 paylines on top of the base game's 40, giving 60 total paylines during the feature. The free spins can be re-triggered by landing 3 more Bonus symbols, with accumulated re-triggers theoretically capable of building up to 300 free rounds.

What is the maximum payout in Masques of San Marco?

The most valuable symbol in Masques of San Marco — the top-tier mask — pays up to 5,000x the line bet. At the maximum line bet of £0.50, this equates to £2,500 for a single winning combination. However, the combination of cascading reels winning multiple times per spin, 60 paylines during free spins, and repeated re-triggers can accumulate significantly larger total payouts across an extended free spins session.