Triggered by landing 6+ special symbols, Hold & Win locks them in place and gives you 3 respins. Each new symbol resets the count. Fill the grid to win big—possibly a jackpot. Medium to high volatility, no strategy needed—just spin and watch the prizes build!
The world of online slots is constantly evolving, with developers introducing new features to make gameplay more engaging and rewarding. One of the most successful and widely adopted innovations in recent years is the “Hold and Win” mechanic. Also known as “Lock and Spin” or “Re-spin,” this feature has become a staple in many of the most popular titles, turning a simple spin into a thrilling hunt for a big prize.
So, what exactly is a Hold and Win slot, and how does it work?
The Basic Gameplay
At its core, a Hold and Win slot is a video slot with a special bonus feature. The base game functions like a traditional slot, with players spinning reels to land winning combinations on paylines. However, the true excitement begins when you trigger the Hold and Win bonus.
The bonus round is activated by landing a specific number of special symbols on the reels—typically six or more—in a single spin. These symbols are usually coins or orbs with cash values or jackpot labels written on them.
Here’s one of the most popular Hold and Win slots for you to try for free: 3 Pots Riches Hold and Win
How the Bonus Round Works
Once the bonus is triggered, the game transitions to a new screen. The symbols that activated the feature will “hold” or “lock” in their positions, while all other positions on the reels become blank. You are then awarded a set number of “respins,” usually three.
The goal of the respins is simple: land more special symbols. Each time a new symbol lands, it also locks into place, and your respin counter is reset back to its starting number (e.g., three). This is the “hold” and “re-spin” part of the name. The feature continues until you either run out of respins or manage to fill every position on the grid with a special symbol.
Prizes and Payouts
The beauty of the Hold and Win feature lies in its clear reward structure. The special symbols that land during the bonus round have specific values attached to them. When the round concludes, the game adds up the values of all the symbols you’ve collected, and that total is your final prize.
Many Hold and Win slots also feature various jackpot prizes, often labeled as Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand. These jackpots are typically won by landing a special jackpot symbol during the bonus game, or in some cases, by filling the entire screen with symbols to win the top prize.
The mechanic has proven to be incredibly popular because it offers a sense of control and progression that is missing from many other bonus features. You can literally watch your potential winnings grow with each new symbol that lands, creating a high-stakes and entertaining experience.
Hold and Win Slots: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you trigger the Hold and Win bonus?
A: You typically need to land a specific number of special symbols (often six or more) in a single base game spin to activate the bonus round.
Q: Is Hold and Win the same as Link & Win?
A: Yes, “Hold and Win” and “Link & Win” are different names for the same core mechanic. Various game developers use different branding for their versions of the feature.
Q: Does the Hold and Win feature guarantee a jackpot?
A: No, a jackpot is not guaranteed. While the bonus round gives you a chance to win one of the fixed jackpots, you still need to land the correct jackpot symbols or fill the entire screen, depending on the game’s rules.
Q: What happens if I fill the whole screen with symbols?
A: Filling the entire grid with special symbols is usually the goal of the bonus round and often results in winning the highest jackpot available, such as the Grand Jackpot.
Q: How many respins do you get in a Hold and Win game?
A: The number of respins is usually set to three. However, each time you land a new special symbol, the respin counter resets back to three, giving you more chances to fill the board.
Q: Are Hold and Win slots high or low volatility?
A: Hold and Win slots are generally considered to be medium-to-high volatility. The base game often has fewer frequent wins, but the bonus round offers the potential for very large payouts, which is characteristic of higher volatility games.
Q: Are there any strategies for Hold and Win slots?
A: Since slot outcomes are determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG), there is no specific strategy to guarantee a win. The best approach is to choose a game you enjoy and set a budget before you start playing.
Want to try out some free demo Hold and Win slots? Try these ones out for size:
