Hold and Win Pokies in Australia 2025

What Are Hold and Win Pokies?

Hold and Win pokies feature a special bonus mechanism designed to build tension and boost the potential to land winning streaks. The Hold and Win feature is usually triggered after multiple of the same jackpot or money symbols land across the reels. Sometimes, it’s activated at random.

Once these symbols land, they lock in place. The reels will continue to respin several times without requiring additional wagers. If more jackpot symbols land, the respins round will reset with the boosted payout multiplier. You may win a large jackpot prize if the entire grid is filled with symbols. If more symbols fail to land, the feature will end.

Hold and Win slots were popularised in 2018 after major developers such as Booongo and iSoftBet began to implement them in their new release games. They have attracted many fans due to their suspenseful gameplay, free spin rounds and jackpot bonus features.

Difference Between Hold and Spin vs Hold and Win Pokies

Though often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between Hold and Spin and Hold and Win slots online mechanics. Hold and Spin was introduced by Pragmatic Play in 2021 and is exclusive to slots by this provider. This feature is triggered after multiple bonuses or scatters land, with these locked in place while other reels respin. The aim is to collect more of the same to boost payout multipliers.

Hold and Win online pokies, on the other hand, are similar but incorporate jackpot symbols or money symbols that are accumulated to boost a total cash payout at the end of the round. Therefore, such pokies have the potential to be more rewarding, with the total prize values displayed more transparently as the feature progresses.

List of the Best Hold and Win Slots by PokiesPros

If you’re looking for the best quality Hold and Win games, look no further than the following slots. These titles offer high RTPs and have been developed by various market-leading studios. Of course, they’re also available to Australians. Keep an eye out for a Hold and Spin casino no deposit bonus to play these games without a financial investment.

Hold and Win Mechanic Explained

In most Hold and Win games, there will be several special features to unlock. These are usually triggered by landing particular symbols across the reels. Although similar, the main features are free spins, bonus rounds and the bonus game.

Free Spins

Free Spins in a Hold and Win game are usually triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols. This will see a set number of respins awarded free of charge, depending on how many scatters were unlocked. In this round, wins may be boosted with multipliers, and additional bonus symbols may land to unlock this feature. This feature plays in the base game, and often, additional free spins can be won by landing more scatters.

Bonus Game

This is the core feature of such pokies. Once a certain number of bonus symbols land across the reels, a separate round is unlocked with locked symbols and respins. The aim is to fill the grid with cash symbols or land jackpot symbols to win major prizes. Sometimes, online slots with Hold and Win features will allow you to use the bonus buy option without needing to land the bonus symbols first.

Jackpots at Hold and Win Slots

Jackpots are the main attraction in machines with Hold and Win. These are awarded in the bonus game and require players to land specific jackpot symbols or fill all reel positions to trigger different bonuses. There are usually four jackpot categories: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand, with jackpot sizes increasing with each one:

• Mini: 20x
• Minor: 50x
• Major: 150x
• Grand: 2,000x
• Royal: 10,000x

The values of these jackpots are usually fixed and are displayed above the reels. Usually, their size will also depend on the size of your wager. Some games have been known to offer Aussies a chance to win the Grand Jackpot of up to 50,000x your stake. While they will require a higher investment, the rewards can be massive.

5 Top Hold and Win Pokies for Aussies

Now that you know how these games work, why not try out the best Hold and Win slots. Below, we’ve provided details about some of the most popular games in this category that are renowned for their crowd-pleasing themes, replayability, and high-quality graphics. As you can see, all are provided by quality developers.

Wolf Treasure (IGTech)

Among the best Hold and Win pokies, Wolf Treasure by IGTech has earned a sizable following with its desert wildlife theme. With a medium volatility and favourable RTP of 96%, this game theoretically rewards prolonged play with steady wins. The bonus feature includes three jackpots: Mini, Major, and Mega. The largest of these provides a top payout of 1,000x your stake. Landing six glowing moons will start the jackpot round. While you’ll come for the jackpots, you’ll stay for the simple yet immersive gameplay.

Rhino (Booming)

Released in 2021, Rhino by Booming Games is set in a savannah populated with iconic African wildlife, including the titular rhino. Although its high volatility means that players will need to be patient for wins, its high RTP of 95.8% means that rewards are fair. There are multiple jackpot tiers in this game, with the top offering a multiplier of up to 2,000x your stake. The bonus game includes golden rhino and coin symbols to increase payouts.

Buffalo Power 2 (Playson)

The follow-up to the immensely popular Buffalo-themed game from Playson, Buffalo Power 2 enhances the best features of the original with refined graphics and higher rewards. Set in a gorgeous natural setting, the game has a medium volatility and RTP of 96.2%. H&W bonus includes fixed jackpots and Power symbols that boost payouts. The highest payout multiplier is 5,000x your bet, with jackpots unlocked through Sun symbols.

Royal Joker (Playson)

If you’re a fan of classic-themed pokies, Royal Joker from Playson is for you. The fruit machine game has a classic three-by-three grid format with five paylines, though it enhances the traditional format through the H&W bonus. It also differs from classic slots by offering a high RTP of 96.5% and medium volatility. After landing crown symbols in the base game, you’ll unlock a Hold and Win bonus round that can see jackpots climb to 4,000x your stake.

Sun of Egypt 3 (3 Oaks Gaming)

The third in the hugely popular Egyptian mythology-themed franchise, Sun of Egypt 3 delights with its captivating gameplay, modern graphics, and huge reward potential. With a 95.84% RTP and high volatility, the game is best suited for those who can handle suspense. There are four jackpots to unlock in the H&W game, with the largest offering a huge 10,000x your stake. This round is unlocked by landing Flaming Sun wild symbols, with cash and jackpot symbols landing.

Tips for Playing Hold & Win Pokies

Hold & Win pokies are defined by their simple gameplay yet thrilling surprises. While there’s no way to influence the outcomes of slots, there are several tips you can follow to better manage your budget and playtime. We’ve listed some of these helpful tips for beginners below:

1. Read the Paytable. If you head to the Settings menu of any pokie, you’ll be able to find the rules, paytables, and jackpot details. Check this out so you can understand how to trigger the hold and win feature and what you must bet for a chance at the jackpot.
2. Start with Low Bets. If you’re a newcomer, start by wagering lower values until you understand how the game works. This will ensure that you’re not risking too much while still allowing you to profit.
3. Favour High RTP Games. The higher the RTP of a pokie, the higher your theoretical chance of winning a return on your investment. You’ll also want to favour games that offer the largest jackpot multipliers.
4. Set a Budget. Before any gambling session, set a budget that takes into account how much you can afford to lose. Never exceed this amount or chase losses.
5. Only Play at Safe Sites. The best Hold and Win casino sites are those that hold international gaming licenses. This guarantees that all games have been verified to be fair and transactions will be secure.

Play Free Hold and Win Pokies

Another reliable strategy before paying to play is to try a Hold and Win slots demo. Demo versions provide the exact same gaming experience as the paid versions, only minus the ability to bet and win money. By trying free play versions, you’ll ensure that you never spend money on a game that doesn’t suit your tastes.

While playing the free version, experiment with the different betting options. Play online long enough to experience the Hold and Win rounds a couple of times and see how the RTP rate and volatility impact the regularity of its payouts. If you don’t like it, simply try another demo.

How to Choose the Best Hold and Win Slots

If you head to the Settings menu of any Hold and Win game, you’ll be able to check its RTP, volatility, and rules.

• Favour games with RTPs of 95% or higher, and understand that the higher the volatility, the longer it usually takes for payouts to land.
• The software developer is also worth considering, as some studios are known for unique features such as cutting-edge graphics or linked progressive jackpots.

Most importantly, choose H&W pokies at reliable gambling sites. Check our recommendations and reviews of the best online pokies for Aussies.

Why Play Hold and Win Slots?

When looking at all of the Hold and Win slots listed on this page, one common thread is that the payout rates are high. Even classic-style games in the genre pay out much higher than standard classics. Another benefit is the ability to trigger respins, which means you get additional rounds without investing more cash.

Of course, the Jackpot prizes are nothing to ignore, too, with some games offering hundreds of thousands of dollars as a major prize. When you sign up with Hold and Win casinos online, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll be able to wager your free spins or bonus funds on these games.

Conclusion: Our Verdict on Hold & Win Pokies

Now that you’re familiar with how lucrative and entertaining Hold and Win pokies real money can be, we hope you feel confident to try some of these titles. Remember that it’s essential to follow responsible gambling practices for the healthiest and most sustainable enjoyment. To find out more about the best games and casinos for Australians, check out more of our reviews.