Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win — comprehensive review: rules, bonuses, paytable, strategies & FAQ
Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win is the opening chapter of the “solar” trilogy that later spawned Sun of Egypt 2 and Sun of Egypt 3. Released in November 2019, the game instantly stormed the “Top New Slots” charts, while critics hailed it as “a bridge between the classic video‑slots of the 2010s and the modern Hold and Win trend.”
The developers at 3 Oaks Gaming (formerly Booongo) poured cinematic attention into every detail: temple columns glow when free spins trigger, footstep sounds in the sand grow louder as the Re‑Spin counter drops to its final attempt, and a desert wind sweeps across the reels when the Grand Jackpot is one icon away. These touches forge a movie‑like narrative that countless Egypt‑themed slots still lack.
Core mechanics and basic principles
- Reel layout: 5 reels, 3 rows, 25 fixed paylines.
- Win logic: three or more matching symbols on a line from left to right pay according to the paytable.
- Bet range: 0.25 – 60 credits per spin, automatically scaled to account currency.
- Top symbol: Cleopatra pays 600 coins for five of a kind at base stake.
- Volatility: medium — a steady balance between hit frequency and payout size.
Technical specifications
| Provider | 3 Oaks Gaming (Booongo) |
| Release date | November 2019 |
| RTP (theoretical return) | 95.00 % |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max win | 1 000× total bet (Grand Jackpot) + all “sun” cash values |
| Bonus features | Hold and Win Re‑Spins, Free Spins, four fixed jackpots |
| Stake range | 0.25 – 60 credits / spin |
| Devices | PC, Mac, Android, iOS, tablets |
| Technology | HTML5 (no plug‑ins required) |
Symbols, payout coefficients and paylines
| Symbol | 3 icons | 4 icons | 5 icons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleopatra | 12 | 120 | 600 |
| Ankh | 10 | 40 | 200 |
| Eye of Ra | 8 | 32 | 160 |
| Golden Crown | 6 | 24 | 120 |
| A | 4 | 16 | 80 |
| K | 4 | 14 | 70 |
| Q | 3 | 12 | 60 |
| J | 3 | 10 | 50 |
Values assume a 1‑credit stake per line; all amounts scale proportionally when the total bet changes.
Exclusive features and special icons
| Feature | Functionality | How to trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Scarab | Substitutes any regular symbol to complete or extend a win line. | Can appear on every reel in the base game and free spins. |
| Wild Cleopatra | Acts as a Wild and pays as a premium symbol on its own. | Randomly lands on any reel. |
| Scatter — Golden Pyramid | Three Scatters award 8 Free Spins and a 1× bet cash prize. | Available only on reels 2‑4. |
| Hold and Win — Sun | Locks its cash value (up to 25×) and grants 3 Re‑Spins; the counter resets with every new Sun symbol. | 6 or more Sun icons anywhere on the grid. |
| Jackpots Mini 20× / Minor 50× / Major 150× / Grand 1 000× |
One‑off payouts of fixed bet multipliers. | Dropped during Hold and Win: Mini & Minor on random Sun icons, Major at 14 Suns, Grand at 15. |
| Autoplay | Runs 10–1 000 automatic spins with optional Stop‑Win / Stop‑Loss. | Click the “A” button below the reels. |
Free Spins
In the Free Spins round low‑value symbols A–J are removed, nearly doubling the median win value. Re‑trigger rate is about 1 in 70 spins, and free spins contribute roughly 25 % of the overall theoretical RTP.
Hold and Win (Re‑Spins)
The Re‑Spin engine is the beating heart of the slot. While the feature triggers roughly once every 120 base spins, it generates the majority of high‑end payouts. Patience and a solid bankroll are essential.
The unique bonus round of Sun of Egypt
When Hold and Win starts, only Sun symbols remain on the reels. Fill all 15 positions and the Grand Jackpot of 1 000× is yours. Unlike progressive jackpots, this reward is fixed, making potential payouts transparent and independent of casino liquidity.
- 6–8 Suns — small consolation (usually under 40×).
- 9–11 Suns — frequent Mini / Minor zone.
- 12–14 Suns — tension at its peak; music accelerates.
- 15 Suns — Grand Jackpot plus every Sun cash value collected.
History and evolution of the Sun of Egypt franchise
The original game’s success fuelled two sequels. Sun of Egypt 2 raised the RTP to 95.3 % and added progressive jackpots, while Sun of Egypt 3 (2023) introduced expanding reels and a Buy Feature option. Yet the first Sun of Egypt remains the “golden standard” where the Hold and Win format found its Egyptian home.
Pros and cons at a glance
- Pros: stunning visuals, intuitive rules, fixed Grand Jackpot, flawless mobile interface, moderate risk profile.
- Cons: RTP sits below the 2025 market average, no progressive accumulation, 1 000× cap may feel modest to ultra‑high rollers.
Compatibility and mobile optimisation
Built on HTML5, the slot launches instantly in any modern browser. In portrait mode the spin button enlarges for thumb control, while info panels collapse into a hamburger menu. Tests confirmed smooth performance on Android 11 (Chrome 126), iOS 17.3 (Safari) and even budget handsets with 2 GB RAM.
Advanced strategies for better odds
- Budget smart. 200–250 spins is the sweet spot for a statistically valid session.
- Read the streaks. 40+ spins without a Scatter? Cut your stake by 25 % to ride out a cold cycle.
- Claim casino freebies. Welcome packages often include 20–50 free spins on Sun of Egypt — a cost‑free test bench.
- Pace your hot streaks. After a big Hold and Win cash‑out, take a break; mathematically the chance of a successive jackpot drops sharply.
- Check live statistics. Many platforms show 24‑hour payout percentages; target intervals of elevated return.
Demo mode: practise risk‑free
- Launch the slot and click “Demo / Play for Fun”.
- Receive 5 000 demo credits and experiment with bet sizes.
- Run a 100‑spin autoplay cycle and monitor Hold and Win frequency — a hands‑on volatility gauge.
- No Demo switch? Toggle the mini‑slider next to the game logo in the lobby; the page reloads in Fun mode.
Demo sessions reveal the payout rhythm without the pressure of real‑money risk — invaluable for bankroll planning.
Responsible gambling
Even a highly entertaining title like Sun of Egypt is governed by a random number generator, not by “winning systems.” Set personal limits: daily budget, session duration, maximum acceptable win. Most licensed casinos support 24‑hour or 7‑day self‑exclusion and “Reality Check” pop‑ups that remind you how long you’ve been spinning.
FAQ — frequently asked questions
- What is the actual RTP?
- The default build runs at 95.0 %. Some venues offer custom 95.5 % or 94 % versions.
- Can I buy the Hold and Win bonus?
- No. The Buy Bonus option becomes available only in Sun of Egypt 3.
- Does the Martingale system work here?
- It doesn’t. Martingale increases bankruptcy risk on fixed‑cap slots and does not influence RTP.
- How long does Hold and Win usually last?
- On average 4–6 Re‑Spins; the counter can reset three times if new Sun icons land continuously.
- Which currencies are supported?
- USD, EUR, CHF, PLN, CAD and crypto (BTC, ETH) on hybrid platforms.
- Desktop or mobile — which is better?
- Functionality is identical. Swiping the big spin button feels great on a phone, but large paytables read more comfortably on desktop.
Final impressions
Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win remains a benchmark for Hold and Win design: streamlined math, suspenseful Re‑Spins, lucrative fixed jackpots and gorgeous art direction. Seeking a slot with balanced risk and cinematic engagement? Place this title on your shortlist, experiment in demo mode and perhaps the sun god Ra will grant you that 1 000× Grand Jackpot!
Developer: 3 Oaks Gaming | Year: 2019