Key takeaways
- A British fruit machine feature.
- Offered at random after a spin.
- Hold matching symbols.
- The return is still fixed.
In shortA hold lets you freeze one or more reels for the next spin. When the machine offers holds, keep any two matching symbols on the win line and spin the third reel.
How holds work
After some spins the hold buttons light up. Press the button under each reel you want to keep; the rest spin again at the normal stake. Holds are offered at random, not after every spin.
What to hold
| You see | Hold |
|---|---|
| Two matching symbols on the line | Both |
| Two feature-trail numbers | Both |
| One high symbol and nothing else | Usually nothing |
| A winning line already paid | Nothing; it cannot repeat on most machines |
Does it help?
A little. Sensible holds collect value the machine is offering, and ignoring them leaves that value behind. The machine's overall percentage return already assumes holds are used reasonably well, so they do not beat it.
Online
True hold buttons are rare online. The nearest relatives are respins with a locked reel and hold-and-win features.
Elsewhere on the site: The random number generator, Pays-anywhere slot machines, Big Bass Bonanza vs Fishin' Frenzy and How much do slot machines pay out?.
Keep reading: Starburst vs Gates of Olympus, The history of online slots, Starburst slot machine and Slot cost calculator.
Next: how slot machines work, or seven slots taken apart.
Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; the version at your casino can differ. UK land-based stake and prize limits and online rule dates were checked against Gambling Commission and licensing authority sources on 6 October 2026. History follows commonly cited accounts. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hold on a fruit machine?
A button that freezes a reel for the next spin.
When should I hold?
When two matching symbols sit on the line.
Do holds beat the machine?
No.
Do online slots have holds?
Rarely.