Gold Express Hold and Win

Gold Express Hold and Win Review

If you like the Hold and Win mechanic that promises jackpots and you haven't been following the updates to the 3 Oaks Gaming collection too closely, it's time to get acquainted with Gold Express Hold and Win. This is a very promising slot released on October 20, 2021, where we are offered interesting gameplay unfolding on a 5x4 playing field. You can land combos on any of the 20 paylines, which are always active. The maximum win per bonus round is capped at x2,000 (Grand Jackpot), although multiple feature triggers make the overall payout potential feel theoretically unlimited, so it all depends on your luck.

As for technical characteristics, Gold Express Hold and Win has a moderate RTP of 95.64%, which is slightly below the industry average but still acceptable. At the same time, the volatility of this title is set at a low-medium level, which is well suited for beginners and those who do not want to take big risks. As the name suggests, the Hold and Win mechanic is a highlight here, which can lead to jackpots with a maximum payout of x2,000.

Gold Express Hold and Win Slot - Reels Screen

Before spinning the reels, decide on the size of your bet, and a minimum value here is €0.20. But high rollers can raise the bet to €90 per spin, which promises a €180,000 jackpot if you manage to hit the Grand variant. As in many other slots, combos are formed from left to right (starting from the leftmost reel) and include at least 3 matching icons.

It’s not surprising that we still have the standard card symbols J, Q, K, and A, which bring up to a x2 multiplier for a combination of five of a kind. The title also features themed icons in the form of a young man, a blonde woman, and an old man with a monocle, which form more valuable combinations. Finally, we can use special symbols in the form of the Wild and its Power version, the Scatter, Bonus, and Boost.

Gold Express Hold and Win

Information about mechanics, volatility, and theoretical return is certainly important and interesting. But when we're dealing with feature-packed titles like Gold Express Hold and Win, the extras are what intrigue us the most. This slot may be a little boring in the base game, but it really shines when you see the special icons and the bonus features they trigger.

Boost Feature

If the Boost icon and Bonus symbol appear simultaneously in any positions on the game grid, all cash values and jackpots on the reels are added together. As a result, you receive an addition to your winnings in the current round in the form of a direct payout. But there is one slightly disappointing limitation: Boost can only appear on the 3rd reel if you are in the base game or taking advantage of free spins. But if the Bonus Game is triggered, Boost icons can appear anywhere on the playing field.

Bonus Game

If you are unfamiliar with the Hold and Win mechanic, now is the time to fix that, because this feature is all about it. If you land 6+ Bonus symbols in any position on the grid or 5 Bonuses + 1 Boost, all Bonus icons will be locked in their positions. This will be followed by 3 respins. Each time a new Bonus symbol lands, the respin counter resets back to 3. This round can end when the respin counter shows 0 or when you have filled all 20 cells of the playing field. In the first case, the game will add up all the cash values and Mini/Minor/Major jackpots to pay you your prize. But if you fill the entire game grid with these icons, you will receive a Grand jackpot equal to 2,000 times your bet.

Gold Express Hold and Win Slot - Bonus Game

Free Spins

If you want to receive 8 FS so you don't have to spend money on bets for the next 8 rounds, you need to land at least 3 Scatters in any position on the playing field. While in the base game, you dealt with regular Wilds performing traditional replacement functions, here you have access to their advanced versions. The Power Wilds that appear here come with x2, x3, or even larger extra multipliers. And if you have several of these icons on the game grid, their multipliers are multiplied together. You can get another 8 free spins if you land at least 3 more Scatters during the FS bonus game.

Theme & Graphics

Visually, this game doesn't quite look like a modern online slot, but it offers you the chance to feel like you're on a golden express train in the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s. Overall, the game resembles what you might see on the screens of physical slot machines in Las Vegas. But the animations here are smooth, and the symbols look striking. The provider has adapted the Gold Express Hold and Win slot well for mobile devices, so you can play it even on the go on your smartphone or tablet.

Gold Express Hold and Win Free Play

We are dealing with a game with low-medium volatility, so it may not seem too risky. However, much depends on the bet size you choose. If you are unfamiliar with the Hold and Win mechanic, be sure to start with the Gold Express Hold and Win free play version. We have obtained a demo version of Gold Express Hold and Win, so you can spin its reels using free credits instead of real money right on the SlotCatalog website.

Pros & Cons of the Gold Express Hold and Win Slot

Our Verdict

If, for some reason, you missed this 2021 release, Gold Express Hold and Win is definitely worth your attention. It's a decent slot with balanced mechanics where you race for the Grand Jackpot. Our gameplay experience aligns with the declared low-medium volatility, although losing streaks are still possible. Still, you shouldn't expect big prizes in the base game.

Everything changes when you hit the Boost Feature, as it often increases your payout potential and provides instant additions to your winnings. We also liked the Bonus Game, which reveals the essence of the Hold and Win mechanic. But to be honest, it's very difficult to get into the Grand, while the Mini/Minor/Major options come up more frequently. The highlight here is the re-triggerable FS bonus, where you get additional benefits from Power Wilds that bring extra multipliers.

We recommend betting below average on this title to wait for a few respins and especially the FS bonus. If you've played Sun of Egypt from 3 Oaks, you'll find it easier to adapt to this game. Better yet, test everything out in the free demo version, which SlotCatalog offers you the opportunity to do.