slot machines
Pirate Chest: Hold and Win embarks on a wide grid where coins, the octopus Boost, and four jackpots occupy most of the game. Released on 26 January 2023 by Playson, this slot combines fixed lines with a clear respins bonus, enhanced by an instant collect of visible values.
The format relies on 5 reels × 4 rows and 25 fixed lines. The reference RTP reaches 95.66%, while the documented overall cap rises to 3,589× the bet. This latter figure exceeds the Grand Jackpot of 3,000×, as it takes into account the total possible win on a spin.
A 5×4 grid with fixed lines
Combinations are formed from left to right on the 25 active lines. Card figures occupy the bottom of the scale, followed by the anchor, the compass, the parrot, and the monkey. The pirate Wild replaces regular symbols, but not the Scatter, the Bonus coins, or the Boost. The structure therefore remains classic before the special features enter the scene.
Bonus coins carry a value between 1× and 15× the bet. They serve as both potential wins and keys to access the Hold and Win feature. Their presence makes more sense when a Boost appears: instead of waiting for the bonus, the visible values can then be collected instantly on the current spin.
The Boost collects visible coins
The Boost is represented by a red octopus. When it lands with at least one Bonus coin, it adds up the values of all present coins and adds them to the spin's winnings. It can also collect Mini, Minor, or Major symbols when they are visible, making each appearance immediately understandable without changing the payline rules.
In the base game and during Free Spins, the Boost is limited to the third reel. It can land on any column during the Hold and Win feature. This difference matters: outside the bonus, the coins and the octopus must meet on a specific space; in respins, multiple positions can extend or enhance the sequence.
Hold and Win: three respins and four jackpots
The bonus is triggered with 6 or more Bonus symbols. Another combination works with five coins and a Boost. The starting symbols remain locked, then the feature awards 3 respins. Each new Bonus, Mystery, or Boost resets the counter to three, allowing the grid to fill up progressively without guaranteeing it will reach all twenty spaces.
The Mystery symbol reveals a Mini at 20×, a Minor at 50×, or a Major at 100× at the end of the feature. These three jackpots can also appear directly. The Grand Jackpot of 3,000× follows a different rule: it is awarded when all twenty positions are occupied by Bonus symbols. It should therefore not be confused with the overall cap of 3,589×.
The Treasure Chest feature acts as a second path of entry. It can trigger randomly when a coin appears in the base game or during free spins, then add enough Bonus symbols to launch the Hold and Win feature. Its appeal lies less in a standalone payout than in its ability to transform an ordinary spin into a sequence of respins.
Criterion | Value |
|---|---|
Studio | Playson |
Release | 26 January 2023 |
Grid | 5 reels × 4 rows, 25 fixed lines |
RTP | 95.66% |
Volatility | Medium-high |
Bet | £0.20–£100 |
Maximum win | 3,589× the bet |
Grand Jackpot | 3,000× by filling all 20 spaces |
Features | Boost, Treasure Chest, Free Spins, and Hold and Win |
Eight Free Spins with more special symbols
Three ship Scatters trigger 8 Free Spins. Three new Scatters during the feature add eight extra spins. The frequency of Bonus coins and Boosts increases in this mode, but their rules do not change: the octopus collects visible values and coins can still open the Hold and Win feature, either directly or through the Treasure Chest.
The increase in special symbols makes Free Spins more feature-oriented than the base game. It does not mean a full bonus is guaranteed. The real progression is seen in the accumulation of coins, and then in the possibility of the Boost cashing them in or the chest completing the trigger. Retriggers extend this window without altering the theoretical RTP.
RTP, bet, and gameplay pace
The reference version displays a bet of £0.20 to £100 per spin and an RTP of 95.66%. This theoretical return is measured over a very large number of game rounds; it does not smooth out a short session. The cap of 3,589× remains a mathematical limit, while the Grand at 3,000× depends on completely filling the bonus grid.
The volatility is classified as medium-high in the selected product catalogues. The pace can therefore alternate modest returns with more spaced-out sequences focused on the Hold and Win feature. The rules of the regulated version do not include a bonus buy option: access is gained via Bonus symbols, the Boost, or the Treasure Chest.
Which player profile is Pirate Chest aimed at?
The game is especially suited to fans of respins who want to quickly identify what extends or enhances a bonus. Power Crown: Hold and Win offers another take on the formula from Playson, with a collecting crown on a more compact grid. The guide to Hold and Win slots also allows you to compare the triggers, respins, and jackpots of this family.
Pirate Chest: Hold and Win remains easy to decode despite the number of features: coins carry values, the octopus collects them, the chest can complete the trigger, and Scatters open eight free spins. Its true personality comes from this flow between the base game, Free Spins, and respins, more than from its pirate theme.
