Pirate Chest (Playson) | BestOdds
Worldwide Brand
Crash & Mining Games
1 FREE SC Daily Login Bonus
Variety of games
Multiple payment methods
10,000 GC daily reward
Variety of games
Multiple payment methods
10,000 GC daily reward
Pirate Chest (most commonly listed as Pirate Chest: Hold and Win) is Playson’s take on the modern “collect coins, trigger respins, chase jackpots” blueprint, wrapped in a crisp pirate theme and tuned for feature momentum rather than slow-burn storytelling. It blends three ideas that reliably keep players engaged:
- A Boost mechanic that can instantly scoop up coin values for an immediate payout
- A Hold and Win bonus built on sticky coin symbols and resettable respins
- A Free Spins mode that increases the presence of feature symbols and gives you more chances to jump into the Hold and Win
Where Pirate Chest separates itself from a lot of similar titles is how it keeps the base game feeling “live.” You are not only waiting for a Hold and Win trigger. You can also spike wins through Boost, and you can randomly get nudged toward a bonus through the Treasure Chest feature that adds coin symbols to the grid. That layered approach creates a session rhythm where the game can produce short bursts of excitement without requiring a long setup every time.
The slot’s ceiling is framed around four jackpots (Mini, Minor, Major, Grand) with the Grand jackpot awarded by filling the entire 5×4 grid inside the Hold and Win. That “full grid” chase is the emotional core of the game: every new coin symbol you lock is both immediate value (it has a number) and progress toward the biggest prize.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Playson |
| Game title (commonly listed) | Pirate Chest: Hold and Win |
| Release date | January 2023 (commonly listed) |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 4 |
| Paylines | 25 fixed paylines |
| Win direction | Left to right on paylines |
| RTP | Commonly listed as 95.66% (can vary by operator version) |
| Volatility | Commonly described as medium-high (varies by database / casino listing) |
| Max win | Commonly listed around 3,589x stake |
| Main features | Wild symbol, Scatter-triggered Free Spins, Boost feature, Hold and Win bonus with 4 jackpots, Treasure Chest feature |
| Hold and Win respins | 3 respins, reset when new relevant symbols land |
| Jackpots | Mini, Minor, Major, Grand (Grand commonly shown as 3,000x) |
| Mobile | HTML5, generally optimized for mobile and desktop |
| Bonus Buy | Listed on some casino databases and may be available where permitted |
Theme, layout, and first impressions
Pirate Chest drops you into a fjord-like pirate setting: dark waters, rugged cliffs, a looming ship, and the promise of treasure. Playson’s art direction here is clean and practical. The symbols are bold, readable, and designed to “scan” quickly, which matters because the feature symbols (coins, boost, scatters) are the real story.
The 5×4 grid makes the game feel more spacious than a 5×3 slot. That extra row is not just visual. It directly matters for the Hold and Win, because the bonus is about occupying all 20 positions with locked coin symbols. A 5×4 Hold and Win grid creates a clear sense of progression: you can literally see how close you are to a full board.
Core gameplay rules
In the base game, Pirate Chest plays as a 25 fixed payline slot. Wins are paid for matching symbols that land on an active line, typically starting from reel 1 and moving right. Because paylines are fixed, your primary control is stake size, not line selection.
This is important for expectations:
- The base game exists to produce normal line hits and seed feature symbols
- The highest-intensity outcomes are heavily feature-driven
- Your “session story” will often be defined by how often you reach Hold and Win, and whether those bonuses build into meaningful grid coverage or jackpot hits
Symbols and paytable feel
Pirate Chest uses a familiar hierarchy:
Low value symbols
Card ranks (often J through A) form the baseline hit rate. They keep the game paying small amounts often enough to maintain flow, but they are not where the big excitement lives.
Mid to high value themed symbols
You will typically see pirate-themed icons like parrots, anchors, compasses, and a standout premium symbol (commonly described as the monkey). These are the symbols you want lining up across reels during base play and especially during Free Spins, when the game tends to push more feature action onto the screen.
Wild symbol
A pirate captain style wild is commonly described as substituting for most symbols, but not for key feature symbols (like scatter, coin, boost). Practically, wilds are there to strengthen standard line wins rather than to define the slot’s top-end potential.
The feature system that drives Pirate Chest
Pirate Chest is best understood as a triangle of features that interact: Coins, Boost, Hold and Win, with Free Spins and the Treasure Chest feature acting as accelerators.
Coin symbols
Coin symbols are the primary “bonus currency” of the game. They can carry:
- A direct prize value (commonly described as bet multipliers in a range such as x1 to x15)
- Jackpot labels (Mini, Minor, Major)
- Mystery behavior inside the Hold and Win (revealed at the end)
Coins matter in every mode. They help set up the Hold and Win trigger condition, they become sticky and accumulate value inside the bonus, and they can be collected instantly through Boost.
Boost feature
Boost is the “instant gratification” layer.
A Boost symbol (commonly represented as an octopus) can appear alongside coin symbols and then collects the values of all coin symbols on the grid for an immediate payout. In many descriptions, Boost is restricted in the base game and free spins to a specific reel (commonly reel 3), which makes it feel like a dramatic moment when it lands because it is not constantly showing up.
Boost does two useful things for pacing:
- It turns coin-heavy base spins into immediate value rather than “almost a bonus” frustration
- It makes coin appearances exciting even when you do not reach Hold and Win, because coins can still convert into a payout right now
Inside Hold and Win, Boost symbols can often appear more flexibly and behave as enhancers, adding even more tension to respins because one more symbol can both reset the counter and potentially boost the ending total.
Hold and Win bonus
This is the main event, and it follows the classic format:
Trigger condition: commonly described as landing 6 coin symbols, or 5 coin symbols plus a Boost symbol.
Start: you enter a dedicated bonus grid where your triggering coins become sticky. You receive 3 respins.
During respins: only bonus-relevant symbols (coins, boost, mystery) appear. Every time a new qualifying symbol lands, it locks and the respin counter resets back to 3. The feature ends when you fail to land new symbols before the counter reaches 0, or when the grid fills.
Payout: at the end, you collect the total value of all locked coin prizes plus any jackpot awards.
The reason this feature is so popular in general is that it creates a satisfying “push your luck” loop. Every respin is a chance to extend the feature, add more value, and move closer to the full grid condition.
The four jackpots
Pirate Chest commonly uses four fixed jackpots:
- Mini (commonly listed around 20x)
- Minor (commonly listed around 50x)
- Major (commonly listed around 100x)
- Grand (commonly listed as 3,000x)
The Grand jackpot is usually the ultimate objective: it is awarded when you fill all 20 positions of the 5×4 bonus grid with coin symbols.
This is a crucial design detail: the Grand is not just a random drop. It is tied to a visible completion state. That makes every additional locked symbol feel like progression rather than pure lottery.
Mystery symbol
Many rule summaries describe a Mystery symbol that appears only in the Hold and Win and reveals its final identity at the end. This mystery element adds suspense, because the feature can end with a surprise upgrade into a jackpot label or a higher-value coin outcome.
Treasure Chest feature
The Treasure Chest feature is a “bonus assistance” mechanic. It can trigger randomly in the base game or free spins and adds coin symbols to the grid, increasing the chance of meeting the Hold and Win trigger requirement.
This feature exists to solve a common problem in Hold and Win slots: the frustration of landing a few coins repeatedly without ever quite reaching the threshold. By occasionally injecting extra coins, the game creates more “almost instantly becomes a bonus” moments, which improves perceived feature frequency and keeps the session moving.
Free Spins
Pirate Chest includes a Free Spins feature that is commonly described as:
- Triggered by 3 scatter symbols (often a pirate ship)
- Awarding 8 free spins
- Allowing retriggers by landing 3 scatters again (often awarding the same amount)
What makes these free spins meaningful is not just that they are free. It is that Free Spins are typically configured to show more coin and boost symbols, which means the mode functions as a feature accelerator. In other words, free spins are often a stepping stone toward Hold and Win, and a way to create more Boost collections along the way.
How the game tends to “feel” in real play
Pirate Chest is usually experienced in waves:
- Regular base spins with normal line hits and occasional coins
- Coin clusters that either convert through Boost or build toward Hold and Win
- Hold and Win bonuses that vary from quick endings (a few symbols locked) to long sequences where you keep resetting respins and pushing toward a filled grid
- Free Spins acting as a mid-session spike in feature symbol frequency, often increasing your chance of hitting the Hold and Win
That wave-based rhythm is why many players describe the volatility as medium-high. The base game can be steady enough, but the big moments are concentrated in bonus sequences where outcomes can swing significantly.
RTP and version variance
Pirate Chest is widely listed with an RTP around 95.66%, but like many online slots, the RTP can be operator-dependent. Some casinos may run different theoretical RTP settings (where permitted), and different databases sometimes display slightly different headline figures. The most reliable source is always the in-game help panel for the specific casino version you are reviewing or playing, because that reflects the actual configuration served to the player.
Mobile play and usability
Pirate Chest’s UI generally translates well to mobile:
- The 5×4 grid remains readable on small screens because symbols are high-contrast and bold
- Hold and Win is especially mobile-friendly because it is visually clear what is locked and how many respins remain
- Most confusion, if any, comes from understanding the differences between coin symbols, jackpot coins, and mystery behavior
If you are playing on mobile for long sessions, the main quality-of-life tip is to slow down spin speed during free spins and during Hold and Win. These are the moments where tracking outcomes matters most, and turbo can make it harder to follow exactly why a payout was large or why a bonus ended.
Practical bankroll framing
This is not “strategy,” but it does help align expectations:
- Pirate Chest rewards patience because the biggest moments come from repeated feature entries rather than from constant huge base wins.
- If your stake is too large, the space between meaningful Hold and Win bonuses can feel punishing.
- If your stake is comfortable, the game tends to feel more enjoyable because you can ride the wave pattern and let the features do what they are designed to do.
If your version includes a Bonus Buy, treat it as a variance amplifier. Buying a feature can speed up entertainment, but it compresses risk into fewer decisions and can create an expensive chasing pattern if you are not disciplined.
Strengths and drawbacks
Strengths
- Strong modern feature set: coins, boost, hold and win, jackpots, and free spins all support the same core objective
- Clear, readable presentation with a satisfying 5×4 bonus grid
- The Treasure Chest feature helps reduce “coin tease fatigue” and can increase the pace of bonus entry
- The full-grid Grand jackpot condition is a compelling visible chase
Drawbacks
- RTP is commonly listed below what some players consider “high,” and versions can vary
- Like most Hold and Win slots, a meaningful share of the excitement is locked inside the bonus, so the base game can feel secondary
- Conflicting third-party listings exist for some headline stats across the web, so accuracy depends on checking the specific operator rules for the version being played
Final verdict
Pirate Chest is a well-structured Playson Hold and Win slot that keeps the pirate theme functional and the feature loop central. The best way to describe it is “feature-forward but coherent.” Coins matter in every mode, Boost gives you immediate conversion moments, Free Spins increases feature density, and the Hold and Win bonus provides the main chase through sticky symbols, respin resets, and a full-grid Grand jackpot objective.
If you like Hold and Win gameplay and you want a slot that gives you multiple ways to convert coin activity into real payouts, Pirate Chest is a strong example of the format. If you prefer slots where the base game is the primary source of big wins and bonuses are rare extras, this one may feel too bonus-centric.
FAQs
- What is Pirate Chest by Playson?
Pirate Chest is a 5 reel, 4 row slot, most commonly listed as “Pirate Chest: Hold and Win.” It’s built around coin symbols, a Boost collection mechanic, Free Spins, and a Hold and Win respin bonus with jackpots. - How many paylines does Pirate Chest have?
It uses 25 fixed paylines. All paylines are active on every spin, so you control spend by changing stake size, not by selecting lines. - Is Pirate Chest a payline slot or a ways-to-win slot?
It’s a payline slot. Winning combinations are evaluated along the fixed payline patterns, typically from left to right. - What is the RTP of Pirate Chest?
Pirate Chest is commonly listed around 95.66% RTP. RTP can vary by operator version, so the in-game rules or info panel at your casino is the best way to confirm the exact figure. - What volatility is Pirate Chest?
It is commonly described as medium-high volatility. The base game can feel steady, but the biggest swings typically come from feature-driven events like Hold and Win and jackpot outcomes. - What is the maximum win in Pirate Chest?
It is commonly listed around 3,589x stake, depending on the version and database listing. The top-end potential is strongly tied to the Hold and Win bonus and the Grand jackpot condition. - What are coin symbols in Pirate Chest?
Coin symbols are special feature symbols that carry prize values or jackpot labels. They are used to trigger Hold and Win and can also be collected instantly through the Boost mechanic. - What values can coin symbols have?
Coin values are typically shown as bet multipliers and commonly reported in low ranges like x1 to x15 for standard coin prizes. Exact ranges and distributions can vary by version. - What is the Boost feature?
Boost is a feature where a Boost symbol appears and collects the values of all coin symbols currently on the grid. The total of those coin values is paid immediately as a win. - What does the Boost symbol look like?
In many versions, the Boost is represented by an octopus symbol. The exact art can vary slightly by casino build, but its role is consistent: it collects coin values for an instant payout. - Where can the Boost symbol appear?
Many descriptions indicate Boost appears on a specific reel in the base game and free spins (commonly the middle reel), while bonus modes can sometimes allow broader placement. The exact reel restriction should be confirmed in your game rules. - Do coin symbols pay on paylines?
Typically no, coin symbols are feature symbols rather than standard payline-paying symbols. Their value is realized through Boost collection, Hold and Win payouts, or jackpot awarding. - How do you trigger the Hold and Win bonus?
A common trigger condition is landing 6 coin symbols, or 5 coins plus a Boost symbol. When the trigger condition is met, the game transitions into the Hold and Win respin feature. - What happens when Hold and Win starts?
All triggering coin symbols become sticky and remain locked in place. You receive a set number of respins (commonly 3), and you try to land more coins or special symbols to reset the respin counter. - How do respins work in Hold and Win?
You start with 3 respins. Each time a new qualifying symbol lands (like a coin), it locks in place and resets the respin counter back to 3. - How does Hold and Win end?
The feature ends when you spin without landing any new qualifying symbols and the respin counter reaches 0. It can also end if the entire 5×4 grid fills with locked symbols. - How is the Hold and Win payout calculated?
At the end of the bonus, you collect the total value of all locked coin prizes plus any jackpots you’ve won. This payout is typically expressed as a multiple of your bet. - What is the Mystery symbol in Hold and Win?
Many versions include a Mystery symbol that appears only in the bonus. It reveals its final value or jackpot identity at the end, adding a suspense element to your final total. - What jackpots are available in Pirate Chest?
The game typically includes four jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand. These are usually fixed bet-multipliers that scale with your stake. - How do you win the Mini, Minor, or Major jackpots?
Mini, Minor, and Major are usually awarded by landing coin symbols labeled with the relevant jackpot during Hold and Win. When the bonus ends, those jackpots are added to your total. - How do you win the Grand jackpot?
The Grand jackpot is commonly awarded when you fill the entire 5×4 Hold and Win grid with locked symbols. This is the main “completion chase” of the bonus feature. - How much is the Grand jackpot worth?
Many versions list the Grand jackpot as 3,000x stake. The exact value should be checked in your casino’s game rules, but the Grand is generally the top prize in the jackpot ladder. - What is the Treasure Chest feature?
Treasure Chest is a random feature that can add extra coin symbols to the grid. It helps build toward the Hold and Win trigger by increasing the number of coins on the screen. - Can Treasure Chest trigger in the base game?
Yes, it is commonly described as a base-game and free-spins feature. It’s designed to reduce frustration from repeated near-miss coin setups by sometimes injecting extra coins. - Does Pirate Chest have Free Spins?
Yes, Pirate Chest includes a Free Spins feature. Free spins often function as a feature accelerator by increasing the appearance of coins and Boost symbols. - How do you trigger Free Spins in Pirate Chest?
Free spins are typically triggered by landing 3 scatter symbols, often represented by a pirate ship. The exact reel requirements are usually “anywhere,” but confirm in the paytable for your version. - How many free spins do you get?
Many summaries list 8 free spins as the standard award. Free spins can often retrigger by landing 3 scatters again, usually awarding another set of spins. - Can Hold and Win trigger during Free Spins?
Yes, this is one of the main reasons free spins matter in Pirate Chest. Free spins commonly increase feature symbol density, which can make it easier to reach the Hold and Win trigger condition. - Does Pirate Chest have a Bonus Buy?
Some versions and casino listings mention a Bonus Buy feature, but availability depends on jurisdiction and operator settings. If you don’t see it in the game menu, your casino likely doesn’t support it. - Does buying a bonus guarantee a big win?
No. A Bonus Buy guarantees entry into a feature, but outcomes are still random and can vary widely. It mainly changes pacing and variance, not the underlying randomness. - Do wilds matter much in Pirate Chest?
Wilds primarily support standard payline wins in the base game and free spins. The slot’s biggest payouts usually come from the Hold and Win mechanic rather than normal line hits. - Is Pirate Chest beginner-friendly?
Yes, the core gameplay is easy to follow because it uses paylines and clear feature symbols. The only part that benefits from reading the rules is understanding how coins, Boost, and Hold and Win triggers interact. - Is Pirate Chest mobile-friendly?
Yes, it’s built in HTML5 and typically plays smoothly on mobile. The Hold and Win bonus is especially easy to follow on a phone because the locked grid and respin counter are very clear. - Does changing bet size change feature odds?
In most slots, bet size changes payout amounts but not symbol probabilities. Your stake mainly affects how large wins and losses are in real money, not how often features trigger. - What should you check before playing Pirate Chest for real money?
Check the RTP listed in your casino’s game info (if shown), whether Bonus Buy is available, and how the Hold and Win trigger is defined in your version. It’s also helpful to confirm jackpot values (especially Grand) since they’re central to the game’s top-end potential.
UK iGaming Writer - With 10+ years in tech, crypto, igaming, and finance, Ali has written across many platforms covering crypto, tech, and gambling news, reviews, and guides. He specialises in content on igaming, sports betting, and crypto trends in emerging markets. Outside of work, Ali enjoys cricket and travelling.
