Sakura Masks

Sakura Masks Slot Review

Slot Provider: Red Tiger

RTP: 95.74% | Variance: High | Maximum Win: 15,138x

Our Score: 7.6

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About Sakura Masks

Reviewed by:

Published Date: 23rd February 2024

How We Review Slot Games

We test and rate all slot games across 5 criteria, assigning a score out of 10 for each and an overall score that is an average of the 5. To build an accurate assessment of each game we gather information from the supplier and play in real play or demo mode. Find out more.

Sakura Masks is an Asian-themed high variance slot from Red Tiger where collecting 3 or more masks progresses players up a prize ladder from 1x up to a maximum 5,000x win. The game features stacked wilds and two special masks that trigger re-spins or activate 2x or 3x multipliers on a spin. There is also a free spins round with 8 plays and a locked stacked wild.

The maximum win in Sakura Masks is 15,138x and spins start at 10p.

Sakura Masks Game Information

  • Release Date: 07.03.24
  • RTP: 95.74%
  • Variance: High
  • Maximum Win: 15,138x
  • Progressive Jackpot: No
  • Reels: 5
  • Rows: 3
  • Paylines: 20
  • Minimum Stake: £0.10
  • Theme: Asian
  • Features: Wilds, Multiplier Wilds, Stacked Wilds, Prize Ladder, Free Spins

What We Liked

  • Guaranteed stacked Sakura Wild on EVERY free spin
  • Prize ladder with a massive 5,000x win at the top
  • Sakura Mask Re-Spins give the chance of another win
  • 2x and 3x multipliers are applied to wins on the prize ladder
  • Big 15,138x maximum win

What We Didn't like

  • Low RTP settings at some slot sites
  • Design is a bit low-key

Sakura Masks Review Scores

  • Theme and Design 7
  • RTP and Variance 7
  • Maximum Win 8
  • Symbols and Paytable 8
  • Features and Gameplay 8

What Our Reviewer Says ...

"This simple Asian slot with prize ladder feature is quite generic but gets a lift from the use of stacked wilds and multipliers to enhance the basic gameplay."

Overall Score: 7.6

Theme & Design

Our Score 7

A Classic Asian Slot Design For Fans of the Genre

Red Tiger are taking us back to their roots in this Asian-themed online slot game. Sakura in Japanese means cherry blossom, the flowers of the cherry tree which are known for their bright pink color and fragrance. To be honest there are not many cherry blossoms in this game, but Japanese culture is invoked with girls in traditional Japanese dress with fans, and the elaborate masks of the title. The reel set has a refined look and the backdrop is a sophisticated pattern of golds and deep reds. A vivid and attractive production then.

Sakura Masks by Red Tiger
Sakura Masks – classic Asian slot style

RTP and Variance

Our Score 7

What is RTP?

RTP (Return to Player) refers to the amount a game will pay out in cash prizes expressed as a percentage of all the money wagered on that game. For example, a 96% RTP means a game will pay out £96 for every £100 wagered. This is an average number and will vary from one session to the next.  Read more here.

What is Variance?

Variance refers to how far a game will deviate from its RTP over time. High variance games deviate a lot and produce uneven win distributions and unexpected windfalls. Low variance games provide a more stable and even distribution of wins. Read more here.

Like all Red Tiger slots these days, Sakura Masks has multiple RTP settings. The optimum is 95.74% which is a little under average. You want to play at this setting and not a lower one, so check the game info screen before you start to be sure you aren’t getting short-changed. Many UK slot sites opt for the lower RTPs. I recommend MrQ from Lindar Media who consistently run slots at their highest available RTP.

This is also a high variance slot so it will be volatile and a grind at times, though that is offset by a nice win potential and good gameplay that can trigger some big win sequences.

Maximum Win

Our Score 8

What Is Maximum Win?

Maximum win refers to the maximum amount a player can win from one spin. It is expressed as a multiple of the stake. For example, where the maximum win is 100,000x, from a £1 stake, the maximum win would be £100,000.  

The top payout here is 15,138x. Not bad for a Red Tiger game and certainly enticing enough for most players. With a minimum 10p bet that would be a £1,513.80 win. If you like high max win slots check out this article featuring some classics.

Symbols and Paytable

Our Score 8

Sakura Masks is a simple 5-reel slot with 3 rows and 20 paylines. Wins are triggered in the usual way by landing 3 or more identical symbols along a payline from left to right, starting at the left-most reel.

There are 8 pay symbols to trigger wins with. This includes 4 low payers, the Jack, Queen, King and Ace, worth up to 2.5x for 5 Aces. The premiums are the Asian-style accessories of a bracelet, fan, hair clip and shoes. These are valued at up to 30x for 5 of the shoes.

There is a standard wild that will substitute for any pay symbol to complete a payline. Special wilds come in stacks which is explained in the next section.

Features and Gameplay

Our Score 8

The name of the game here is getting onto the prize ladder in both base game and free spins round. But there are also re-spins and stacked wilds to help propel you towards that 15,138x max win. Here is how it all works:

Prize Ladder, Re-Spins and Multipliers

Aside from standard paytable wins, you should be looking out for the Sakura Mask symbols to land on the reels. The masks come as either regular, re-spin or multiplier. For the purposes of the prize ladder, you can land from 3 to 10 of ANY kind to win the following prizes:

  • 3 masks – 1x win
  • 4 masks – 5x win
  • 5 masks – 15x win
  • 6 masks – 40x win
  • 7 masks – 100x win
  • 8 masks – 500x win
  • 9 masks – 2,000x win
  • 10 masks – 5,000x win

The prize ladder is displayed above the reels with the current prize value lit up.

Sakura Masks Free Spin
The free spins round in Sakura Masks

Aside from the regular masks, the two others have special attributes:

Sakura Mask Respin – this one can only land once on a spin. It triggers a re-spin where all other masks AND Sakura Wilds are held in place.

Sakura Mask Multiplier – this one can also only land once on a spin. It carries a 2x or 3x with it which will be applied to the value of any prize win from the ladder that it helps to trigger.

Sakura Stacked Wild

As well as regular wilds you should also look out for the Sakura Wilds which come as a stack of 3, only dropping on the middle reel. It’s also powerful because it counts as THREE masks towards a prize ladder pay out. When it appears, up to 7 more masks can land.

Free Spins With GUARANTEED Sakura Wild

And of course, there is a free spins round. This is triggered by landing scatter symbols on reels 1, 3 and 5. You’ll need 3 to land at once to get you 8 spins and when the round starts a Sakura Wild is locked onto the middle reel where it remains throughout. This gives you better odds of hitting the prize ladder on every spin.

NOTE: during the base game you cannot land scatters and Sakura Wilds on the same spin.

You can also extend the round by landing 2 more scatters on reels 1 and 5 at any point. That gets you an extra 5 spins.

The Final Verdict

Sakura Masks appears to be a very simplistic and generic slot on first impressions. However, I would urge you to give it a chance because it does offer a little more than you might think. Namely, the stacked wilds which hold a lot of power, particularly in the free spins round where they stick for the duration. And add to that those wild multipliers and that 15,138x win and now you have something a bit more than just another Asian slot game with prize ladder. So, perhaps look carefully and think twice before overlooking this game.

Useful Tips When Playing Sakura Masks

Remember, online slots are games of chance, there is NO strategy that can improve your odds of winning. However, reading our review and following these tips will help you get the most out of your time playing this slot game.

1. Choose A Slot Site With The Optimum RTP

Remember that some slot sites will run this game at its lower RTP settings which diminish your chances of walking away with a positive balance. Always choose a site where the game is set to the maximum RTP of 95.74%.

2. Choose A Low Stake

This is a volatile slot that can burn your balance quickly. So exercise good bankroll management and set your stake to a sensible level to ensure that you don’t spend your funds too quickly. You can bet from 10p per spin on this slot.

3. Look Out For Sakura Stacked Wilds

Look out for these symbols that drop in a stack 3 rows high on the middle reel. Not only are they helping to complete paylines but they also progress you along the pay ladder. Awesome!

4. Play At Our Recommended Slot Sites

We recommend the casinos on this page because they are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission which means they are safe and secure. Their games have been audited to ensure they are fair too. Never play at unlicensed casinos.

Who Made Sakura Masks?

  • Name: Red Tiger
  • Established: 0000-00-00
  • UK License: 043114-R-321951-014
  • Total Games: 100 +
  • Known For: Megaways games, Oriental slots, high variance games
  • Popular Slots: Gonzo's Quest Megaways, Jackpot Quest, Totem Lightning, Phoenix
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