Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win is an Ancient-Egypt-themed video slot developed by the studio Booongo, now publishing under the 3 Oaks Gaming label. The player is greeted by blistering dunes, pyramids silhouetted against a sunset sky, and an authentic soundtrack of ethnic percussion. The base set-up is straightforward: a 5 × 3 grid with 25 fixed paylines and a stake range that starts at 0.25 and rises to 60 credits per spin. The mathematics blends medium–high variance with a theoretical RTP of 95 %—lower than the industry average, yet compensated for by a quick-hitting bonus cycle and four transparent fixed jackpots.
Why a “Hold & Win” Mechanic?
The slot’s defining feature is the Hold & Win bonus round, centred on accumulating blazing Sun symbols. This mechanic turned the Sun-of-Egypt series into one of the most recognisable lines in Booongo / 3 Oaks’ portfolio and sparked the popularity of “slow-burn” respins in which every additional Sun prolongs the session and raises potential payouts.
Core Specifications and Gameplay Snapshot
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | 3 Oaks Gaming (formerly Booongo) |
| Grid | 5 reels × 3 rows |
| Paylines | 25 (fixed) |
| Stake Range | 0.25 – 60 credits per spin |
| Max Win | 1 000 × total bet (fixed Grand Jackpot) |
| Volatility | Medium / high |
| RTP | 95 % ± 0.3 % |
| Key Features | Free Spins, Hold & Win, Dual Wilds, Scatter, Auto-Play |
Step-by-Step Rules of Play
- Choose Your Stake. Use the “−” / “+” toggles to set the amount you are comfortable wagering per round.
- Spin the Reels. Click “Spin,” or press and hold for turbo mode if you prefer accelerated animations.
- Form a Win. Three or more identical symbols must appear consecutively from the far-left reel along one of the 25 lines.
- Symbols of Note.
- Cleopatra is the most lucrative symbol, awarding up to 600 credits for five of a kind on minimum stake.
- Pharaoh Wild (base game) and Fiery Sun Wild (Hold & Win) substitute for any regular symbol.
- Golden Pyramid Scatter triggers Free Spins.
- Sun Bonus icons ignite Hold & Win when six or more land.
- Auto-Play. Configure up to 1 000 automatic spins with optional stop limits for loss, single win, or feature entry.
Payout Table and Line Values
| Tier | Symbol | 3 in a line | 4 in a line | 5 in a line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | Cleopatra | 60 | 180 | 600 |
| Ankh | 48 | 120 | 240 | |
| Eye of Ra | 36 | 90 | 120 | |
| Golden Crown | 24 | 60 | 60 | |
| Mid-Pays | A | 12 | 30 | 120 |
| K | 12 | 30 | 120 | |
| Q | 6 | 18 | 60 | |
| J | 6 | 18 | 60 | |
| Special | Pharaoh Wild | Substitutes every regular symbol | ||
| Fiery Sun Wild | Active inside Hold & Win | |||
| Scatter (Pyramid) | Pays and initiates Free Spins | |||
| Sun Bonus | Worth up to 25 × bet per icon or a fixed jackpot | |||
Note. The listed values correspond to the minimum stake of 1 credit. During Free Spins the low-value letters (J, Q, K, A) are removed, increasing the frequency of high-tier combinations.
Pyramid Secrets: Special Features Explained
- Fixed Jackpots. Within Hold & Win, Mini (20 ×), Minor (50 ×), Major (100 ×) and Grand (1 000 ×) prizes can be captured. Grand is awarded for covering all fifteen reel spots with Sun icons.
- Two Wild Variants. The Pharaoh Wild appears in base play, the Fiery Sun Wild inside Hold & Win. Both substitute and can form their own winning lines.
- Scatter to Free Spins. Three Golden Pyramids on reels 2, 3, 4 grant eight free spins with only premium symbols plus Wild. Another trio re-triggers the feature.
- Hold & Win Respins. Six Suns lock in place and start three respins. Each new Sun resets the counter. When spins finish, all multipliers and jackpots are summed.
- Turbo & Auto Play Modes. Enthusiasts can shorten spin time and pre-configure long sessions without manual clicks.
Hold & Win Bonus Game: From Mini to Grand
Landing six or more Sun Bonus symbols opens a separate scene in which only locked Suns and empty cells exist. The sequence unfolds in five clear stages:
- Start with Three Respins. Only Sun or blank positions appear.
- Reset the Counter. Every additional Sun returns the tally to three.
- Accumulate Multipliers. Each orb displays 1 × – 25 × the stake, or a fixed jackpot.
- Gold Screen. Filling all fifteen positions triggers the Grand Jackpot of 1 000 ×.
- Final Payout. When the count reaches zero, all displayed values are totalled and credited instantly.
Strategic Advice: Maximising Your Chances
- Bankroll Management. Keep one spin at about 1 – 2 % of your entire balance; 150–200 spins funding is ideal for enduring gaps between features.
- Wave-Size Betting. Some players step their bet up moderately every 50 dry spins, hoping to trigger Hold & Win at a higher stake. Set an upper stop to avoid runaway variance.
- Monitor Feature Frequency. If no bonus appears within 300+ spins, consider pausing; RNG has no memory, but psychological fatigue affects decision-making.
- Use Promotional Free Spins. Online casinos often include this slot in no-deposit offers—an excellent chance to test volatility risk-free.
- Don’t Chase the Grand Alone. The fixed 1 000 × ceiling is clear: combining respins with Mini or Major jackpots is more realistic than waiting for a full screen.
Demo Mode: Risk-Free Training Ground
What Is It? Demo mode replicates the real game, but wagers use virtual credits. The math, trigger rates, and variance stay intact, letting you practise strategies without financial exposure.
How to Launch?
- Locate the slot in your chosen casino’s lobby.
- Hover and click “Demo” or “Play for Fun.”
- If real-money mode loads automatically, flip the Play for Real / Demo toggle—usually at the top-left of the splash screen.
Demo mode is perfect for gauging Hold & Win frequency, monitoring balance swings, and adapting to turbo speeds before committing funds.
Final Brushstrokes: Is It Worth Spinning?
Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win is far more than yet another “Egyptian reskin.” It marries vivid visuals with medium-high variance and a transparent Hold & Win framework. Fixed jackpots, free spins stripped of low letters, and an attainable Grand worth 1 000 × make the experience engaging for rookies and high-rollers alike. If the prospect of filling the reels with blazing Suns excites you, step into the age of pharaohs and let the desert star illuminate your reels with golden victories!
Developer: 3 Oaks Gaming (Booongo)