AP Glossary
WhatIsHold&Spin?
A bonus feature common in link-style games where locked symbols remain on screen while remaining positions spin for a set number of respins. Popular in games like Lightning Link, Dragon Link, and Buffalo Link.
Why It Matters
Why this matters for advantage play
Hold & spin bonuses define the entire Link product family — billions in slot revenue runs through this single mechanic. While the bonuses themselves are usually random-trigger, surrounding minor progressives and counter sub-features create the AP angles on these cabinets.
Dragon Link StrategyCross-Reference
Related terms
Link Game
Slot machines featuring hold-and-spin bonus mechanics, typically with progressive jackpots. Examples include Lightning Link, Dragon Link, Buffalo Link, and Mighty Cash. Many link games offer advantage play opportunities through their progressive structures.
Linked Progressive
A progressive jackpot fed by multiple machines, causing faster meter growth than standalone progressives. Linked progressives across a bank of machines or an entire casino floor reach +EV thresholds more quickly.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that increases with each bet placed, funded by a small percentage of each wager. Progressives can be standalone (single machine) or linked (multiple machines). When a progressive grows high enough above its reset value, the added value can push the total RTP above 100%.
Trigger
The specific condition that activates a bonus feature or progressive payout. In AP context, the trigger point is the threshold where playing the machine becomes mathematically profitable.
Live Examples
Machines that use this
Documented Link machines on Run the Slots. Tap any title for the full advantage play guide.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about hold & spin
They give players visible, controllable-feeling progress in a high-tension format. Manufacturers also like them because the math can be tuned tightly via prize-symbol weighting.
Random. Decisions during the bonus (such as choosing which jackpot to hold for) typically don't change expected value — the math is set the moment the bonus triggers.
Dragon Link and Lightning Link variants with linked-progressive components are the most analyzable. Standalone hold-and-spin games rarely offer durable AP edges.
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