
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,936
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Party & Co: Original
- 3–20 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2007

1986
Rules assistance for Masquerade
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Masquerade is a board game released in 1986 for 3–12 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Acting.
This is the board game version of charades with a wicked twist! Instead of struggling with unknown book titles, the names of long forgotten films and un-sung songs, this game stretched the imagination to the limit as you race to act out a zany mix of idioms, clichés and sayings. Examples are 'Limbo dancing', 'Mozart composing himself', and 'talking a lemming out of suicide'. Great fun for those who don't mind acting. Outset Media, Inc. seems to have a version of this game. Many games formerly made by Cheatwell are now credited to Outset Media.
Masquerade supports 3–12 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Masquerade is 90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Masquerade for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Masquerade has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Masquerade belongs to these categories: Humor, Party Game, and Deduction. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Acting. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Masquerade as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.