Hold and Spin Feature Explained: How They Work and The Top 5 Games

Hold and Spin (aka spin and win/hold and win) feature isn’t just another pokie gimmick—it’s where real thrills meet serious win potential. By locking symbols in place and triggering respins, this feature ramps up suspense with every spin, offering a shot at massive payouts. It’s a game-changer that transforms regular rounds into heart-pounding moments, and we’ve seen firsthand how it delivers standout wins.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best games with Hold and Spin, showing you how this feature works, its unique twists, and what makes each title worth playing. Ready to uncover the pokies that truly nail this mechanic? Let’s dive in!

What is a Hold and Spin Feature?

The Hold and Spin feature is a thrilling pokie mechanic where triggering symbols lock in place, giving players respins to add more winning symbols to the reels. Typically activated by landing a specific number of symbols—like Coins or Shields—this feature builds suspense as you chase bigger payouts.

Expect dramatic animations, glowing locked symbols, and sound effects that ramp up the tension with each respin. Unlike regular spins, where payouts depend on paylines, Hold and Spin shifts the focus to accumulating values or jackpots. It’s a fast-paced, high-stakes bonus round that keeps players hooked with its exciting visuals and huge win potential.

How Does Hold and Spin Work?

Triggers

The Hold and Spin feature kicks in when you land a specific number of matching symbols—usually 6 or more—in a single spin. For example, in Wolf Treasure by IGTech, getting 6 Moon Symbols locks those symbols onto the reels and activates the respin feature.

What makes this interesting is how games subtly tweak symbol frequency to keep you guessing. Take Thunder Shields by iSoftBet: during high-volatility spins, you’ll notice more frequent appearances of Shield Symbols on the reels, especially when you’re close to triggering the feature. It’s this kind of balancing act that creates those “so close!” moments, keeping you hooked.

Reel Locations

Not all reels are created equal when it comes to Hold and Spin. Developers carefully design where symbols land to strike a balance between frequent triggers and higher-value payouts:

  • Middle Reels (2, 3, and 4): These are your sweet spots. They’re packed with more symbols, so triggering the feature often starts here. In Big Bass Hold & Spinner by Pragmatic Play, Golden Coins tend to cluster on these middle reels, boosting your odds.
  • Outer Reels (1 and 5): These reels often hide big-ticket symbols like jackpots or high-value multipliers. In Thunder Shields, the outer reels are where massive Colossal Shields tend to drop, covering multiple spaces and ramping up the stakes.

This setup isn’t random—it’s designed to build suspense as reels fill up with locked symbols, leaving you chasing that final piece of the puzzle.

Mechanics

  • When the feature triggers, the action really heats up. You’ll typically start with 3 respins, and every time a new symbol lands, the counter resets back to 3.
  • Respins Reset: Every new symbol feels like a lifeline, keeping the round alive.
  • Symbol Values: Locked symbols can carry cash values, multipliers, or jackpots. In Wolf Treasure, Moon Symbols can award fixed jackpots like Mini, Major, or Mega.
  • Reel Completion: If you fill every reel space, you’re in for a major reward. Some games unlock massive bonuses when the grid is completed.

Some games add extra spice to the mix. For instance, Thunder Shields throws in Colossal Symbols—2×2 or 3×3 blocks that can instantly boost your winnings by covering multiple reel spaces.

Top 5 Pokies With Hold and Spin

Dive into our top 5 Hold and Win pokies – cherry-picked by our savvy crew!

1. Wolf Treasure

IGTech’s Wolf Treasure is a timeless favourite among pokie enthusiasts, blending straightforward gameplay with thrilling payouts. The Hold and Spin feature is its centerpiece, offering jackpot potential and edge-of-your-seat action. Its glowing Moon Symbols and jackpot-driven suspense make it a standout for players chasing big wins.

Logo Feature Details
wolf treasure hold & spin Feature Trigger Land 6 or more Moon Symbols anywhere on the reels.
Payout Potential Up to 1,000x your stake via the Mega Jackpot.
Odds / Frequency Medium volatility; feature triggers approximately once every 90 spins.

Feature Mechanics

The Hold and Spin feature is triggered by landing 6 or more Moon Symbols. These symbols lock in place, and players receive 3 respins, which reset each time a new Moon Symbol lands. The feature focuses on collecting cash values or triggering Mini, Major, or Mega jackpots, creating a progressive build-up of tension.

Visuals and Sounds

When the feature activates, reels darken, and the locked Moon Symbols light up with a glowing effect. The accompanying suspenseful music and dramatic sound effects amplify the intensity, drawing players into the action with each respin.

Payout Potential and Frequency

The feature delivers up to 1,000x your stake via the Mega Jackpot, with cash values adding consistent rewards throughout. It triggers approximately once every 90 spins in this medium-volatility game.

Why It Stands Out

Wolf Treasure’s simplicity and jackpot integration make it a top choice for players who enjoy accessible mechanics with high-reward potential.

2. Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways

Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways reimagines the popular fishing series with a Megaways twist. This version builds on the Hold and Spin feature with cascading reels and multiplier-packed coins.

Logo Feature Details
hold and spin in pokies big bass Feature Trigger Land 3 or more Coin Money symbols during the base game.
Payout Potential Up to 10,000x your stake with cascading reels and multipliers.
Odds / Frequency High volatility; feature triggers approximately once every 100 spins.

Feature Mechanics

The feature triggers when 3 or more Coin Money symbols land during the base game. These symbols lock in place as cascading reels clear away non-winning symbols. Players start with 3 respins, resetting with every new Coin symbol. Special Golden Coins bring multipliers of up to 50x.

Visuals and Sounds

Golden Coins sparkle with animated multipliers when they land, while cascading reels create a dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere. Upbeat fishing-themed music and celebratory sound effects keep the energy high.

Payout Potential and Frequency

This high-volatility game offers a maximum payout of 10,000x your stake, with the feature triggering approximately once every 100 spins.

Why It Stands Out

The combination of cascading reels, high multipliers, and the Megaways mechanic elevates the Hold and Spin feature to new heights.

3. Rhino Hold and Win

Logo Aspect Details
rhino hold and spin feature Feature Trigger Activates when 6 or more Bonus symbols appear on the reels.
Payout Potential Up to 2,000x your stake.
Odds / Frequency Moderate frequency with potential for substantial rewards.

Feature Mechanics

Players receive 3 respins, and each new Bonus symbol resets the respin count to 3. The feature continues until no respins remain or the grid is filled. Special symbols can appear during this round, offering additional multipliers or fixed jackpot prizes.

Visuals and Sounds

The game showcases a vibrant savannah theme, with detailed animal symbols and a lively soundtrack. The feature is accompanied by dynamic animations that highlight the anticipation of accumulating Bonus symbols.

Why It Stands Out

Rhino Hold and Win combines the popular mechanic with an engaging theme and the opportunity to win fixed jackpots.

4. Royal Joker: Hold and Win

Logo Aspect Details
royal joker hold and spin feature Feature Trigger Landing 3 Bonus symbols on the reels activates the feature.
Payout Potential Up to 21,150x your stake.
Odds / Frequency High volatility; less frequent but potentially massive rewards.

Feature Mechanics

The feature is initiated when 3 Bonus symbols appear. Players receive 3 respins, and each new Bonus symbol resets the respin count. The Joker acts as a Wild in the main game and provides multipliers during the bonus.

Visuals and Sounds

The game features a classic fruit machine design with vibrant graphics and engaging sound effects.

Why It Stands Out

Royal Joker: Hold and Win refreshes the classic fruit slot genre by incorporating the Hold and Win mechanic and multiplier-enhancing Joker symbols.

5. Money Cart 2

Logo Aspect Details
money cart 2 hold and spin feature Feature Trigger Landing 3 or more Bonus symbols initiates the feature.
Payout Potential Up to 5,000x your stake.
Odds / Frequency The feature is central to the game and occurs frequently as part of core gameplay.

Feature Mechanics

When 3 or more Bonus symbols land, they lock in place and award 3 respins. Each new symbol locks in and resets the respin count. Special symbols (Payer, Collector, Sniper, Necromancer) add unique modifiers to enhance winning potential.

Visuals and Sounds

The game presents a steampunk-inspired Wild West theme with detailed character designs and atmospheric sound effects. Animations are dynamic, especially when special symbols activate their features.

Payout Potential and Frequency

  • Hold and Spin Frequency: As the core feature, it occurs frequently, providing regular chances for significant wins.
  • Max Win: Up to 5,000x your stake.
  • Volatility: High—wins can be substantial but may not occur frequently.

Why It Stands Out

Money Cart 2 centers gameplay around the Hold and Spin mechanic, with various special symbols that add depth and excitement.

Types of Hold and Spin Features

Hold and Spin with Multipliers

This variation introduces special symbols that multiply locked values during the feature. Multipliers can range from small boosts to massive increases, dramatically enhancing payouts. Games like Thunder Shields by iSoftBet and Big Bass Bonanza by Pragmatic Play showcase this feature.

Hold and Spin with Fixed Jackpots

Certain symbols award fixed jackpot prizes (Mini, Major, Mega) alongside standard cash values. Filling all reel positions often triggers the largest jackpot. Titles like Wolf Treasure and Great Rhino Deluxe feature these jackpots.

Hold and Spin with Colossal Symbols

Oversized symbols that span multiple reel positions (2×2, 3×3) lock in place and add combined values to the total win. This mechanic, seen in games like Thunder Shields, can cover many reel spaces and produce huge payouts.

Hold and Spin with Reel Completion Bonuses

Some games reward players for filling all reel positions during the feature, triggering extra bonus payouts or jackpots. Examples include Sphinx Fortune and Money Train 2.

Hold and Spin with Symbol Upgrades

Symbols can upgrade to higher values or multipliers during the feature, increasing win potential with each respin. For example, Ultra Hold & Spin randomly upgrades symbols mid-feature, boosting payouts.

Hold and Spin with Bonus Integration

This variation combines Hold and Spin with other bonuses like free spins, wild reels, or multipliers. Developers often layer multiple features to keep gameplay dynamic and engaging.

Conclusion

The Hold and Spin feature brings a level of excitement and strategy to online pokies that few other mechanics can match. Its combination of locking symbols, resetting respins, and offering jackpots or multipliers creates moments of genuine suspense with every spin.

Whether you’re chasing a life-changing Mega Jackpot in Wolf Treasure or enjoying the dynamic twists of cascading reels in Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways, this feature keeps gameplay fresh and engaging.

Ready to dive in? Explore these top Hold and Spin games to find even more thrilling titles to try.

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