Complete 2026 Guide
Hold and Spin Slot Machines
Hold and spin is a bonus mechanic where special prize symbols lock on screen while the remaining reel positions respin. Learn how the mechanic works, what to look for visually, and which games use this structure.
What Is Hold and Spin?
Hold and spin is a slot machine bonus mechanic in which specific prize symbols lock in position on the reels when a qualifying spin occurs. Once locked, those positions remain frozen while all other reel positions respin. If a new prize symbol lands during a respin, it also locks and the respin counter resets. The bonus ends when all positions are frozen or when three consecutive respins pass without adding a new symbol.
The mechanic is widely found on cabinets from Aristocrat, Light & Wonder (formerly Scientific Games), and other manufacturers. It is the core structure behind the Link product family -- a group of slot games characterized by linked progressive jackpots attached to the hold and spin bonus. You may also hear the mechanic referred to as "hold and respin" or "lock and spin" depending on the game title.
Visually, hold and spin games are recognizable by their prize symbol design: gold coins or specially styled tiles showing dollar values or jackpot labels appear on the reels during base play. When enough of them land simultaneously, the bonus activates and the locked-symbol sequence begins.
How the Bonus Triggers
The hold and spin bonus triggers when a minimum number of prize symbols appear on the reels simultaneously in a single base-game spin. On most games in this family, the trigger threshold is six or more prize symbols landing at the same time across all reel positions. Some variants set different thresholds or require symbols on specific reels.
The trigger is a random event during base play -- there is no accumulated counter or meter that fills over time to force the trigger (unlike accumulator machines). Each spin in the base game has an independent probability of producing enough prize symbols to activate the bonus. The game does not track partial progress toward a trigger.
Visual Indicator
When the trigger threshold is met, the game typically plays a distinct audio cue and a visual animation showing the prize symbols locking into place. The reel positions containing prize symbols freeze with a highlighted border or glow effect, and a respin counter appears on screen -- usually showing "3 respins remaining." The locked symbols stay visible until the bonus resolves.
The Respin Sequence Explained
Once the bonus activates, the game enters the respin phase. Here is the full sequence:
- Prize symbols lock: Any prize symbols from the triggering spin freeze in their positions. All other reel positions remain available to spin.
- Respin counter starts at 3: A counter shows how many additional respins remain. This counter resets each time a new prize symbol lands.
- Unlocked positions spin: Only the positions not holding a prize symbol participate in each respin. Locked positions remain frozen.
- New prize symbols lock and reset the counter: If a prize symbol lands on an unlocked position during a respin, it locks in place and the counter resets to 3. This means a single new prize symbol can extend the bonus by up to three more respins.
- Bonus ends one of two ways: The bonus completes when either (a) three consecutive respins pass without a new prize symbol landing, or (b) all reel positions are filled with prize symbols. Filling the entire screen typically awards a top-tier jackpot.
- Payout: The total value of all locked prize symbols is awarded to the player.
Prize Symbols and Jackpot Tiles
Prize symbols in hold and spin games typically appear in two categories:
Fixed Credit Symbols
These symbols display a specific credit value -- for example, 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x the base bet, or a fixed dollar amount. When the bonus ends, each fixed-credit symbol contributes its displayed value to the total payout. The game adds all locked fixed-credit symbols together.
Jackpot Tiles
Jackpot tiles are labeled with a jackpot tier name -- typically Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand. When a jackpot tile locks during the respin phase, it awards the corresponding progressive jackpot value at the time the bonus completes. A Grand tile, which is the rarest, typically requires filling a specific position on the screen (often the center) or filling the entire screen.
The combination of fixed-credit symbols and jackpot tiles means a single hold and spin bonus can result in a wide range of outcomes -- from a modest total of small fixed-credit values to a life-changing Grand jackpot. The distribution of outcomes depends on the specific game's math and symbol frequency.
The Progressive Jackpot Layer
Many hold and spin games attach one or more progressive jackpots to the bonus mechanic. These progressives are funded by a small contribution from every wager placed on the machine (or across a bank of linked machines). Each jackpot tier -- Mini, Minor, Major, Grand -- maintains its own meter that climbs with play.
The progressives are awarded during the hold and spin bonus when the corresponding jackpot tile lands and locks. Because the progressives are linked across multiple cabinets in some configurations, the meter rates can be faster than on a standalone machine. The specific progressive structure varies by game title and casino installation.
Linked vs. Standalone Progressives
Some hold and spin Link installations connect multiple cabinets across a casino floor so that wagers on any machine in the bank contribute to the same shared progressive meters. This linking means the Grand and Major jackpots can grow faster than they would on a single isolated cabinet. Other installations operate each cabinet independently with standalone progressive meters. You can often identify linked configurations by looking for matching jackpot display values across adjacent cabinets.
For more on how multi-tier progressives work and the math behind them, see the Hold and Spin mechanic overview and the multi-tier progressive calculator.
Hold and Spin Machine List (6 Games)
Below are the hold and spin (Link mechanic) games documented in the Run the Slots database. Each link takes you to a detailed guide page for that machine.
Dragon Link
AristocratKraken Unleashed
Light & WonderLucky Larry's Lobstermania 4 Link
IGTMammoth Legend
BluberiPiggy Bankin’
Light & WonderSuper Sally's Shrimpmania 4 Link
IGTFor the full slot machine database including MHB progressives, accumulators, and more, visit the complete machine list. For Link cabinet product families specifically, see the Link slot machines guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the hold and spin bonus work?
When the hold and spin bonus triggers, any special prize symbols that landed on that spin lock in place and stay visible on screen. All other reel positions respin. Each time a new prize symbol lands during the respins, it also locks and the respin counter resets to three. The bonus ends when three consecutive respins complete without adding a new prize symbol, or when all reel positions are filled with prize symbols. The player is then awarded the total value of all locked symbols.
What triggers the hold and spin bonus?
The hold and spin bonus typically triggers when a minimum number of prize symbols land on the same spin -- usually six or more special gold coin or prize symbols appearing simultaneously across the reels. Some games require the prize symbols to appear on specific positions or specific reels. The exact trigger condition varies by game title, but the visual indicator is always the same: enough prize symbols on a single spin that the cabinet locks them in and starts the respin sequence.
What are the prize symbols in hold and spin games?
Prize symbols are usually styled as gold coins, credit values, or special jackpot award tiles. Each symbol shows a value -- often a fixed credit amount or a jackpot label such as 'Mini,' 'Minor,' 'Major,' or 'Grand.' When a full-screen prize symbol or a 'Grand' symbol lands during the respin phase, it typically awards the highest progressive jackpot linked to that cabinet. The values visible on the locked symbols are added together when the bonus completes.
What is the difference between hold and spin and a standard free spins bonus?
A free spins bonus awards a fixed number of additional spins where the player keeps all wins from the regular paytable. A hold and spin bonus is structurally different: prize symbols lock in position, the remaining positions respin independently, and the respin counter resets each time a new prize symbol lands. Hold and spin is specifically designed around building a collection of locked prize symbols within a single bonus session, rather than spinning the full reels repeatedly.
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