Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win — a comprehensive slot review, rules, bonuses and winning strategies

Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win is a video slot with a sizzling ancient-Egyptian theme released on 13 November 2019 by the studio 3 Oaks Gaming (formerly Booongo). The machine uses a 5 × 3 layout with 25 fixed win-lines, medium-to-high volatility and a theoretical RTP of 95 %. Although the top win is technically capped at a ×1000 fixed jackpot, frequent bonus features keep even seasoned players on the edge of their seats.

The slot quickly became the “calling card” of the entire Hold and Win series and later spawned sequels and deluxe editions, yet the original version still remains a must-play if you want to feel the true spirit of the “hold-and-re-spin” mechanic. A golden colour palette, reverberating Arabian drums and gentle sand-whisper animations create the illusion of a furnace-hot desert where the blazing sun promises pharaonic riches.

Core gameplay explained — how Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win works

Reel matrix: 5 reels × 3 rows.
Lines: 25 always active.
Bet range: 0.25 – 60 coins per spin.
Most valuable symbol: Cleopatra’s portrait — five of these pay 600 coins at 1-coin line stake.

Payouts are credited from left to right; any win requires at least three identical symbols on one of the 25 lines. During the free-spin feature all low-value icons are removed, so the hit frequency of high-multipliers rises substantially.

Pay-lines and multipliers

All values are given for a 1-coin line bet; if you raise the stake, prizes scale proportionally.

Special features and distinct highlights

• Fixed jackpots: Mini ×30, Major ×150 and Grand ×1000 (awarded for covering all 15 reel cells with suns).
• Wild symbol: the golden Wild substitutes all base icons and helps to complete winning lines.
• Scatter & free spins: three golden pyramids on reels 2-3-4 trigger 8 free spins with possible re-trigger.
• Hold & Win: 6 or more Sun icons launch a respin round where you chase the Grand ×1000 jackpot.
• Auto-play and turbo spins can be toggled for a faster or hands-free session.

The Hold & Win bonus round decoded

The Hold & Win mechanic is the beating heart of the game. Landing six or more Sun icons awards 3 respins. Each new Sun sticks in place and resets the respin counter back to three. When respins finish, all visible Sun values are added up and any jackpot labels (Mini or Major) are paid as well. If you succeed in filling every single reel position with Suns, the coveted Grand ×1000 prize is yours.

Winning tactics and expert bankroll management

1. Disciplined bankroll allocation. With a 95 % RTP and medium-high volatility, plan for a session of at least 200–300 bets; staking 0.5–1 % of your total balance per spin shields you from fast depletion.
2. Pursue the free-spin set. Because low-pay symbols vanish during free spins, this mode often serves as the gateway to Hold & Win. Aim to catch at least one batch before quitting.
3. Autoplay stop-loss / stop-win. In the auto panel set stops at a ×50 single-spin win or a 30 % drop of your original balance.
4. Adaptive denomination. If you hit a prolonged dry spell, shrink your wager to the minimum, “purchasing” the bonus more cheaply. Restore the original bet size after the feature ends.
5. Cooling-off periods. After a sizable payout the slot can move into a “cold” phase; taking a break or switching to another title can preserve your profits.

Demo mode — safe terrain for strategy testing

The demo mode is an exact replica of the real-money game, except all wagers are placed with virtual credits. It lets you:

• explore the Hold & Win mechanic at zero risk;
• test bet sizes and auto-spin configurations;
• observe the frequency of bonus triggers.

How to activate the demo

1. Locate the slot in your casino lobby or on the developer’s site.
2. Click “Demo / Play for Free”.
3. If a registration window appears, switch the “Demo” toggle in the lower-right corner (exact position may vary by platform).

If the toggle is missing, clear your browser cache or try a VPN — some regulated operators restrict guest access by geo-location.

Conclusion — is Sun of Egypt worth your time?

Sun of Egypt: Hold and Win is a brilliant entry-point to the “hold-and-respins” universe. Straight-forward rules, flamboyant visuals and the adrenaline-pumping Hold & Win round keep the excitement on a constant boil, while the fixed Grand Jackpot of ×1000 injects genuine competitive thrill. Before switching to real-money mode, fire up the demo and conduct several test runs; once you internalise the slot’s rhythm, you will pursue that blazing Grand prize fully armed.

Developer: 3 Oaks Gaming (formerly Booongo).