Hold and spin: coins lock, respins reset
A hold and spin slot triggers a bonus when enough coin symbols land, often 6. The coins lock in place and you get 3 respins. Each new coin resets the count to 3. When respins run out, you win the coins’ values.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01Coins lock and respins reset with each new coin.
- 02Coins show cash values or jackpot labels.
- 03Filling every spot often wins the top jackpot.
Key numbers
Hold and spin at a glance
In short
Key takeaways
- The bonus is part of the game’s RTP, not extra.
- Most bonuses end with a modest total.
- Fixed jackpots like Mini and Minor hit often.
- Progressive tiers depend on bet size.
Progress
A hold and spin bonus
- 1
Trigger
6+ coins land
- 2
Lock
Coins stay in place
- 3
Respin
3 spins for new coins
- 4
Reset
New coin returns count to 3
- 5
End
Coins paid out
Exact rules differ by game; check the help screen.
Example coin values (at a $2 bet)
| Coin | Value | How often |
|---|---|---|
| 1× coin | $2 | Common |
| 2× coin | $4 | Common |
| 5× coin | $10 | Less common |
| Mini jackpot | $20 | Fairly common |
| Minor jackpot | $50 | Uncommon |
| Major jackpot | $500+ | Rare |
| Grand jackpot | $10,000+ | Very rare |
Made-up values to show the structure; real games differ.
How the bonus works
During normal play, coin symbols land on the reels. If enough land on one spin, often 6 or more, the hold and spin bonus starts. All non-coin symbols clear and the coins lock in place.
You then get a set number of respins, usually 3. Only empty spots spin. If a new coin lands, it locks and the count goes back to 3. When three respins pass with no new coin, the bonus ends.
Each coin shows a value, often a multiple of your bet, or a jackpot label like Mini or Minor. At the end, all values add up and are paid.
How bet size can change jackpots
| Bet level | Mini | Minor | Major | Grand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Fixed | Fixed | Progressive (small) | Progressive (small) |
| Medium | Fixed | Fixed | Progressive | Progressive |
| Max | Fixed | Fixed | Progressive (full) | Progressive (full) |
Some games tie top jackpot eligibility to bet size; read the rules.
Jackpots and the full grid
Many hold and spin games show four jackpot tiers. Mini and Minor are usually fixed multiples of your bet and appear often. Major and Grand may be fixed or progressive, growing as people play.
Filling all 15 spots on a 5 by 3 grid often awards the Grand jackpot. That is very rare. Most bonuses end with a handful of coins, often worth 10 to 30 times the bet.
Some games tie jackpot size or eligibility to your bet level. Playing below a certain bet may lower the jackpot you can win, so read the help screen.
Sequence
Before you play
Step 01
Open the help screen
Trigger and jackpots.
Step 02
Check bet levels
Jackpot eligibility.
Step 03
Find the RTP
Often in the rules.
Step 04
Set a budget
Bonuses can take a while.
Step 05
Set a stop time
Respins are exciting, not profitable.
RTP and volatility
The bonus does not give extra value on top of the game. Its payouts are part of the slot’s return to player, or RTP. Land-based hold and spin games often return about 88% to 92%, online versions more.
These games tend to be medium to high volatility. Much of the return sits in the bonus, so base-game spins often pay little between triggers.
Some machines show coins building up between games or feature persistent states. Read our guide on persistent state games before chasing a near-full meter.
Floor rules
Hold and spin terms
Know before you sit
- Coin symbol
- Symbol that locks with a value.
- Respin
- Spin of empty spots only.
- Reset
- Respins return to 3.
- Grand
- Top jackpot tier.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a near-full grid is due
- Each spin is random.
- Ignoring bet levels
- Jackpots may need higher bets.
- Chasing the Grand
- It is very rare.
- Forgetting RTP
- The bonus is not extra.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
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Questions before and after you play
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01Basics
What is a hold and spin slot?
A slot with a bonus where coin symbols lock in place and you get respins that reset each time a new coin lands.
How many coins trigger the bonus?
Often 6 or more on one spin, but each game sets its own number, so check the help screen.
How many respins do I get?
Usually 3, and the count goes back to 3 every time a new coin lands. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
02Jackpots
What are Mini, Minor, Major and Grand?
Jackpot tiers shown on coins. Mini and Minor are often fixed; Major and Grand may be progressive.
How do I win the Grand?
In many games, by filling every spot on the grid during the bonus, which is very rare.
Does bet size matter?
In some games the jackpot size or eligibility depends on your bet level. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
03Odds
Is the bonus extra value?
No. The bonus is part of the game’s RTP, which is often about 88% to 92% on land.
Can I tell when a bonus is due?
No. Each spin is random, and past spins do not affect the next trigger. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Where can I get help?
If playing stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, private help. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Slots Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026How slot machines and returns work
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
- American Gaming Association — Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026US casino industry data
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER