The Hold and Win series of games has long earned the love of fans thanks to its dynamic gameplay and impressive prize potential. The next entry in the line — Crown and Diamonds: Hold and Win by Playson — combines classic fruit symbols with royal luxury and the signature bonus mechanic. Below you will find a detailed review of the slot: rules, payouts, features, strategy tips and instructions for launching the demo mode. The article is written to satisfy both newcomers and experienced players while meeting modern SEO-optimization requirements.
The visual aesthetic of the game is underlined by a rich palette of gemstones, and the background is designed as brocade fabric with gold embossing, creating an atmosphere of wealth. The soundtrack complements the regal theme with a light orchestral motif: fanfares announce every big win, while soft strings accompany the spins, immersing the player in a world of luxury and excitement. Thanks to optimization on the HTML5 engine, the slot runs equally smoothly on both desktop and mobile devices, preserving all visual effects in high resolution.
Quick portrait of the Crown and Diamonds: Hold and Win slot
- Release date: 24 August 2023
- Provider: Playson
- Grid: 3 × 3
- Paylines: 5 fixed
- Volatility: high
- Maximum win: ×4030 bet
- RTP: 95.64 %
Playson positions the game as a modern interpretation of the “fruit classic”: watermelons and sevens share the three reels with diamonds and golden crowns. Despite the vintage 3 × 3 format, the slot is packed with extras: a Hold & Win mode with symbol collection, four levels of fixed jackpots, and a special “Royal Bonus” feature. The visual component is executed at a premium level: diamond dust animation, crown shimmer and soft neon glows make the process vivid yet not overloaded.
The adaptive interface deserves separate mention. The bet menu is located beneath the reels: large “–” and “+” buttons let you change the total bet within the range set by the casino operator, and the balance and win indicators are displayed in large digits for better readability. A quick access button to the paytable, rules and spin history sits in the corner of the screen, convenient for both newcomers and responsible players tracking statistics.
The ABC of rules: how everything works
- Base grid. Three symbols are shown on the three reels at the same time. There are five fixed lines — three horizontal and two diagonal. You cannot change their number, which simplifies bet calculation. Thanks to the compact grid, combinations trigger more often than in many five-reel slots, and scanning the field takes minimal time, increasing the tempo.
- Payout direction. Combinations pay from left to right starting from the leftmost reel. If several winning chains land on one line, only the most valuable is counted. This approach eliminates confusion and makes understanding easier, especially important for players moving from land-based one-armed bandits to the online format.
- Key symbols.
- Wild (three sevens) — substitutes for any icons except Bonus (diamond) and Royal Bonus (crown). In addition to a high standalone payout, the Wild helps form chains with fruits, stabilizing the game between big bonuses.
- Scatter (diamond) — triggers free spins in classic Hold & Win versions, but here acts as a bonus symbol, underscoring the uniqueness of this model.
- Bonus (diamond) — launches the bonus game when 3+ land and shows a cash value or jackpot level.
- Royal Bonus (crown) — appears only on the middle reel and collects all visible bonus values, turning every spin into a potential cascade win.
- Reliability and correctness. Any software failure or connection break cancels current bets and reloads the spin, guaranteeing fair gameplay. Certificates from independent labs issued to Playson’s RNG core confirm randomness, and SSL-encrypted connections secure data transfer between server and client.
The control panel is complemented by a “Max Bet” button for instant max stake and a turbo-spin key reducing spin animation to fractions of a second. This is useful for those who prefer an accelerated mode or test strategies over a long distance.
Symbol payouts: how much fruit and gems cost
| Symbol | 3 × (multiplier) |
|---|---|
| Three Sevens (Wild) | 50.00 |
| Bell | 30.00 |
| BAR | 20.00 |
| Watermelon | 16.00 |
| Grapes | 16.00 |
| Plum | 4.00 |
| Orange | 4.00 |
| Lemon | 4.00 |
| Cherry | 1.00 |
Note: The diamond (Bonus) and crown (Royal Bonus) pay only during the bonus game. Their value is expressed in bet multipliers (×1, ×2, ×5, ×10, ×15) as well as in the fixed jackpots Mini, Minor, Major, Grand.
As you can see, the payout range reflects the classic value pyramid: the rarer the symbol, the higher the reward. This logic encourages anticipation of rare Wilds and bells, making the game emotionally rich. At the same time, low-paying fruits offset risk by delivering frequent small wins that sustain the balance until the bonus round arrives.
Royal features and highlights
“Royal Bonus” feature
Crowns drop only on the second reel and stay fixed until the end of the bonus game. Each symbol collects all visible diamond values, including the Mini, Minor, Major and Grand jackpots. After the round, the accumulated sums are added to the total win.
Sometimes several crowns appear in a short span — their effect then stacks, and each subsequent collection greatly increases the final payout. Such a chain reaction turns an ordinary bonus round into an epic coin build-up, especially if you manage to catch a Grand diamond.
“Heap of Diamonds” feature
During the base game, the appearance of any Bonus symbol can randomly launch a “shower” of diamonds and crowns, adding enough (or more) symbols to trigger Hold & Win. This shortens the wait and makes gameplay more dynamic. Visually the feature is accompanied by a flash of light on the screen and the sound of falling gems, boosting adrenaline.
It is worth noting that the frequency of “Heap of Diamonds” is adaptive: it remains moderate so as not to devalue the bonus, yet regular enough to keep interest even during long sessions. This balance of support and surprise is what distinguishes modern Playson releases.
Fixed jackpots
- Mini — ×25 bet
- Minor — ×50 bet
- Major — ×150 bet
- Grand — ×1000 bet
No extra conditions apply: the corresponding diamond can drop for any player during the bonus round. Thus, even at the minimum stake the chance to land a solid multiplier remains, while for high rollers the coefficients turn into significant sums, making the slot attractive to different audience segments.
Strategy secrets: steps toward the crown
- Mind the volatility. High dispersion calls for a bankroll of at least 100–150 bets. Maintain a “cushion” for several bonus cycles, otherwise you risk missing the main win due to an early exit.
- Adjust risk with coin value. Ideally 0.2–0.4 % of the budget per spin. With this approach even a streak of losses will not empty the balance, and a caught Grand will multiply the bankroll considerably.
- Aim for Hold & Win. If no diamonds appear within 50–70 spins, take a break. Frequent slot changes or a pause of a few minutes help reduce emotional burnout and keep decisions objective.
- Autoplay with limits. Set loss and win limits. Many responsible casinos offer built-in control tools that automatically stop spins when the limit is reached.
- Start with the demo. The free version helps you get comfortable without financial pressure, and also test different bet sizes and turbo-spin frequency.
Additionally, set a personal “stop-win”. When the win reaches a predetermined percentage of the starting balance (for example, +30 %), it is wise to cash out or at least lower the stake. This approach locks in success and prevents winnings from going back to the system due to reckless excitement.
Climax: the Hold & Win bonus game
What is Hold & Win
Hold & Win is a round with a limited number of respins in which only special symbols with cash values remain. Each new icon resets the spin counter, and at the end all amounts are summed. The mechanic became popular thanks to its simplicity and the possibility of winning big through numerous fixed symbols.
How it works in Crown and Diamonds
- Trigger: 3 diamonds (Bonus) anywhere on the grid.
- Starting stock: 3 respins.
- Symbols: diamonds (
×1,×2,×5,×10,×15) and crowns (Royal Bonus). - Counter reset: each new symbol returns 3 respins.
- End: no new symbols for three consecutive spins.
Diamond symbols can carry the names of the Mini, Minor, Major or Grand jackpots, instantly awarding a multiplier up to ×1000. Crowns multiply the total many times over by collecting all current values on the grid. To reach the maximum win you only need to fill the grid with diamonds and at least one crown: then each collection will multiply the already impressive amount, turning the bonus into a golden shower.
Imagine the situation: a crown is already fixed on the second reel and the remaining cells gradually fill with diamonds. Each new diamond resets the counter to three, increases potential, and the crown gathers the accumulated values again and again. In the finale the screen fills with nine symbols and the payout exceeds the expected value many times over — it is for such moments that players return to Crown and Diamonds.
Demo mode: practice without risk
The demo version lets you learn about volatility, bonus frequency and effects without financial investment. Virtual currency is used but the mechanics are fully identical to the real game.
How to launch the demo
- Open the slot on the casino website or gaming portal.
- Click the “Demo” or “Play for Free” button.
- Wait for it to load — the balance will be credited with virtual credits.
If there is no button, find the mode toggle in the upper-right corner of the slot screen and switch it.
Demo advantages
- Testing bets and autospins;
- Studying the frequency of crown drops;
- Full access to all bonus features without risk;
- Optimizing bankroll management strategy without fear of losses.
For players who prefer mobile play, the demo is even more valuable: you can test how the slot behaves in vertical and horizontal screen orientations, assess button responsiveness and loading time. Moreover, many regulated jurisdictions require casinos to provide a free version of games for review, confirming the industry’s commitment to responsible gaming principles.
Final verdict: is it worth hunting for the crown?
Crown and Diamonds: Hold and Win is a harmonious blend of classics and modern bonuses. The compact 3 × 3 grid ensures a fast rhythm, while high volatility promises large multipliers up to ×4030. The royal crown that gathers values from every diamond turns the standard Hold & Win into a real treasure quest. If you like clear rules, generous jackpots and an atmosphere of luxury, this slot definitely deserves a place on your favorites list.
A balanced set of features, an adaptive interface and an attractive visual style make Crown and Diamonds competitive on both PC and mobile devices. At a mid-range stake the game offers regular adrenaline spikes, and the rare but powerful jackpots can significantly boost the budget even for a cautious player.
Refine your strategy in the demo, choose a comfortable stake — and let the crown adorn your wins! The developer Playson has once again proved that it can give classic fruit symbols royal grandeur and provide players with a tool for exhilarating gameplay.
Gambling is intended for persons over 18. Play responsibly.