What is Hold and Win Slots
Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Read time: 10 minutes
A Hold and Win Slot is a type of slot where the mechanism in the gameplay requires that symbols trigger a feature to reward players with a number of spins or cash prizes. It functions like other slot types but is packed with an interesting mini game. When you play this variation, you are offered a chance to respin a unique grid and gather bonus symbols, earning jackpots, cash rewards and other additional features. The minigame will end once you run out of spins. With this game, players stand a chance to get more wins. Check out this review from FreeSlot99 on everything you need to know about this variation, including how to play Hold and Win slots.
Introduction to Hold and Win Slots
What does Hold and Win mean in slot? The mechanic is an additional feature in bonus rounds of many online slots. The gameplay is simple to grasp whether you are a new or experienced player. Your goal is to land the right number of coins or special symbols, and they will remain sticky. This increases your chances of getting an instant win or puts you in line to get a jackpot. How many special symbols or respins that you would need may vary depending on the type of machine you are playing. After every successful hit, the meter is reset to its initial number of respins.
History and Origins
Hold and Win is one of the most liked and accessible features in slots. It is designed to suit the interests of fans of both traditional games and modern releases. The first title to have this feature was Money Train, a game by Relax Gaming. The feature gradually grew popular and eventually broke the market in 2019 after the sequel to Money Train was released.
Ever since then, many game providers and developers, such as Relax Gaming, iSoftBet and Booming have created slots with the Hold and Win feature. Today you can be sure to find it in any online casino you visit, and there may even be a special section for it.
Difference from Hold and Win Slot Machines
What is the difference between hold and win slot machines and regular slots? The simple answer is the mechanics. Unlike regular video slots, you may not see any free sound and you get to enjoy more bonus games and more combinations. However, some titles combine both features, that is Hold and Win and FS. Here are some of the differences:
| Hold and Win | Regular Slots |
| They offer higher payouts | It tends to include complicated features |
| Respins feature reset for more wins | The rewards are not as exciting |
| Easy to play and understand | Jackpots are lower |
| Usually comes with jackpot |
How Hold and Win Features Work
Once you trigger the Hold and Win feature, the bonus icon that gets activated becomes sticky, while the other reels respin. Players begin with three FS, and when there is a new bonus element it resets the spin count. This round will continue until you fill the reels or the respins run out. The feature allows players to collect symbols with random values, multipliers and ways to amplify winnings.
How to Trigger the Feature
The Hold feature triggers automatically when a minimum of six bonus symbols appear on the reels. However, this may vary for some titles such that it requires a lower number of icons to trigger. Once the feature is activated, you will get the confirmation in the form of a sound or pop up message, and you can proceed to take advantage of it.
Respins and Symbol Collection
Once you activate the feature, it continues until you exhaust the respins, or you finish collecting symbols to fill the reels. You simply need to max out the reset respins and collect enough icons to win.
Jackpots and Special Symbols
Learning how to play Hold and Win slots opens you up to the potential to win huge jackpots. Depending on the provider, the reward could be a jackpot of 5,000x your bet. You can also win big when you take advantage of the special icons. These are icons with more offerings such as a cashback, multipliers or other bonuses.
Top 10 Hold and Win Slot Games
If you are a fan of Hold and Win slot machines or want to try it out for the first time, here are some of the best titles we recommend:
Money Train
Money Train was created by Relax Gaming and has a different, more interesting approach to the feature. Once you see the three bonus symbols, the FS bonus also activates. You are rewarded with three re-spins, while the purple multiplier boxes will be sticky symbols. The FS will reset every time another box appears. The more boxes you collect, the higher your multipliers. There are also higher icons that could increase the value of the boxes.
Apollo Pays
Apollo Pays Megaways is one of Big Time Gaming the best products. For this title, the feature activates when there is a winning combination. The icons stick and reels spin each time there is a combination trigger. If there are additional icons on the combination or a different combination trigger, there will be another re-spin.
Game of Thrones Power Stacks
Only Microgaming could come up with such a catchy name. Game of Thrones Power Stacks features the Link & Win mechanics. To activate this gameplay, you must collect a minimum of six coin symbols on the reels at the same time. The icons will be locked in place while there is a re-spin.
Thunderstruck Wild Lightning
Thunderstruck Wild Lightning was developed by Microgaming and has a unique approach to how to play Hold and Win slots. The feature is activated by landing at least six lighting symbols on the reels. There is a cash reward for each symbol, presenting an opportunity to win great rewards. Filling up the reels will earn you 15,000x your bet.
Buffalo Power
Playson added to its library of casino games, Buffalo Power, another unique title. To activate the H & W feature, you must land at least six golden coin symbols anywhere on the reels in a single spin. Three re-spin activates and reset each time more points appear. To make things more fun is the «Buffalo Power special symbol» which can activate the jackpot and multiplier.
Money Cart 2
Money cart 2 has the H & W feature in all the gameplay modes, including the base game, where bonus symbols need to appear at least three times for it to activate. You are immediately rewarded with three re-spins and as many bet multipliers as possible. This method of activation makes this title perfect for players who really enjoy the feature.
The Vikings Fortune
Another one of Playson’s top products. The Vikings Fortune slot provides an attractive 3D theme, where the standard symbol is golden coins. You need six of these special symbols to activate the feature and receive three re-spins. The golden coins can cover up to nine positions on the reels, making it easier to win big.
The Gold Digger
The Gold Digger slot by iSoftBet has an amazing 3D-animated mining theme, which includes gold nuggets as its icons in the base mode. At least six of the icons will activate the bonus and the three re-spins will reset every time there is an additional nugget on the reels. Other possible rewards include multipliers and more reels.
Sunny Fruits
Sunny Fruits was created by Playson and is identified by its unique sun elements. Similar to other titles, it also requires six of its special symbols to activate H&W. The re-spins will retrigger each time a new symbol lands on the reels. There is a potential non-progressive jackpot of up to 1,000x your wager that you can activate.
Outback Gold
Of course, we had to mention Outback Gold from iSoftBet. The special symbol here are golden coins, which need to appear on the reels three times. Not only do you get to reset the bonus respins, you can also activate the multiplier jackpot by gathering enough associated symbols.
Top Slot Developers for Hold and Win Games
To get the best experience, once you understand what are hold and win slots, it is important that you choose the right provider. There are numerous game providers in the industry and many have adopted the feature, but not all did a good job at it. Here are some of our best developers to play at.
Big Time Gaming
Big Time Gaming is a popular software developer and one of the first to adopt the feature. It offers unique games and style. They not only proved one of the best games, there is also a massive range of Megaways slots such as Apollo Pays. You can be sure to find BTG in any U.S. online casino.
Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming was the first provider to create this feature. It is an award-winning developer of premium slot machines, with its trademark being its exciting features. Relax Gaming developed Money Train Slot, a title that is now available in literally every online casino. Other popular titles include Tiger Kingdom Infinity Reels and Chip Spin.
Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play is a leading software provider that stands out for its innovative, regulated and mobile-focused products. The developer makes its games available in different regions, ensuring players all over the world have access. Its hold and win slot machine options include Barn Festival, Empty the Bank, Heart of Rio and many more.
Stormcraft Studios
Stormcraft Studios is a relatively new provider, and it has already crafted a niche of top-notch 3D slot design. They played a significant role in developing popular titles like Jurassic Part and Mega Moolah. Stormcraft also boasts of some of the best Hold and Win titles, such as Thunderstruck Wild Lightning.
iSoftBet
iSoftBet is a creative group of slot machine enthusiasts that are committed to creating exciting gameplay. The studio has also partnered with other providers to design premium online titles. Some of their best options include Banana Odyssey, Cash Kingdoms and Game of Thrones Power Stacks.
Advantages of Hold and Win Slot Machines
Hold and Win slots have grown popular for several reasons. Here are some of its advantages:
- More Interesting Gameplay: The thrill of locking money symbols and chasing multipliers improves the overall gameplay.
- More Winning Potential: Players get more opportunities to accumulate big wins thanks to the resetting respins.
- Fair Mechanic: The use of RNG ensures fairness across all spins while still maintaining a rewarding gameplay.
- Dynamic Features: There are multipliers and collect icons that create more ways to boost payout potential.
Downsides of Hold and Win Slots
There is no denying that there are certain factors to look out for when you decide to play Hold and Win slots, some of which include:
- Some titles have high volatility, which results in infrequent wins.
- It requires many symbols to trigger significant reward.
- The base game can sometimes be less engaging.
Casinos Where You Can Try Hold and Win Slots
Common Questions About Hold and Win Slots
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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