Majestic sands, the scorching rays of an ancient sun and the undying magic of Egyptian treasures have all converged in the vibrant fourth instalment of the iconic Sun of Egypt series. Developer 3 Oaks Gaming has refined the popular Hold and Win gameplay, adding generous jackpots, secret symbols and dynamic BOOST mechanics. In this review you will get the full picture: from basic rules to advanced strategies, plus how to activate the free demo mode and feel the desert heat without risking your balance. The text will help beginners get up to speed quickly and let seasoned players squeeze maximum dividends from the slot.
The series legacy and general slot information
The Sun of Egypt 4: Hold and Win slot retains the visual style of its predecessors while generously expanding functionality. The grid has been increased to 5×4 (five reels with four symbols each), and the number of fixed paylines has grown to 25, ensuring more frequent combinations. Volatility is listed as “above average”, meaning rare but impressive wins. The theoretical RTP sits around 95.9 % — a typical value for Hold and Win titles from 3 Oaks.
Thematically the game tells the story of Ra’s priceless disc hidden in desert tombs. On the reels you will meet iconic symbols such as Pharaoh, Cleopatra, Ankh, Eye of Horus and the royal Crown. The soundtrack underscores the spirit of adventure with Middle-Eastern percussion and mysterious flutes. The interface remains intuitive: all main buttons (bet, auto-play, rules menu) are one tap away, important for both new and experienced mobile players.
A classic video slot with progressive elements
Despite its historical theme, Sun of Egypt 4 is a modern video slot that combines a classic linear “fruit-style” mechanic (but with Egyptian hieroglyphs) and the innovative Hold and Win feature. The main game cycle is built on spinning the reels and activating 25 fixed lines. However, players’ attention is captured by bonus features: random Mystery chests, accumulating BOOST multipliers and, of course, instant jackpots that can drop during the bonus session.
It is precisely the balance between “classic” (line wins) and “innovation” (respins with sticky symbols) that makes the slot so engaging. Players are constantly offered a choice: stay in the base game and hope for respins or raise the stake to speed up the path to the bonus round. This hybrid approach makes each session dynamic and rich.
How the rules of Sun of Egypt 4: Hold and Win work
The main rule is that wins count left to right on consecutive matches along active lines. The number of lines is fixed at 25 and cannot be changed. If several combinations land on different lines, the wins are added together, while on each individual line only the highest result is paid. The paytable is dynamic: the figures automatically adjust to the current stake, so the player always sees the “net” potential payout.
The game grid is 5×4, giving 20 visible positions. Spins are launched with the Spin button or by holding it for turbo mode. Additional settings include auto-play with extended win- and loss-limit options — useful for disciplined bankroll management. The minimum bet usually starts at 0.25 credits, and the maximum can reach 60–100 credits (depending on the casino operator), making the slot attractive to both micro-stake fans and high-rollers.
Paytable and symbols — how much each icon pays
| Symbol | 5× | 4× | 3× |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharaoh | 20.00 | 5.00 | 2.00 |
| Cleopatra | 20.00 | 5.00 | 2.00 |
| Ankh | 10.00 | 2.50 | 1.00 |
| Eye of Horus | 10.00 | 2.50 | 1.00 |
| Crown | 10.00 | 2.50 | 1.00 |
| A | 8.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| K | 8.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| Q | 8.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| J | 8.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
As the table shows, the most profitable icons are Pharaoh and Cleopatra: when a full line of five matching symbols lands, the payout is 20× the line bet. They are followed by the sacred regalia — Ankh, Eye of Horus and Crown, which can award up to 10×. Card values A, K, Q, J, although gilded, are the “low” symbols and form the small but regular wins that sustain the player’s balance during the session.
Symbol secrets and signature slot features
Wild (Ra’s solar disc) is highlighted by an animated flare and appears on all five reels. It substitutes any base symbols except Scatter and Bonus, helping complete winning lines.
Scatter (scarab) lands only on reels 2–4; three scatters award 8 free spins, and another three add +8 free spins with no upper limit.
Bonus (coin with pyramid) can appear in any position and pays only in the bonus game.
Mystery is a sarcophagus cell that, during bonuses, reveals one of the prize symbols: MINI, MINOR, MAJOR, GRAND, BOOST or SUPER BONUS.
Boost is a red “energy” orb. When it lands, all current Bonus coin values are summed and instantly added to the win. If the symbol is marked X2/X3/X5, the total is multiplied by that coefficient.
The jackpot system has five levels: MINI 15×, MINOR 25×, MAJOR 100×, GRAND 500× and the rare ROYAL 1000× the total bet. They can be won during the bonus round or when Mystery symbols open. This prize range makes every spin unpredictable and creates the “adrenaline hook” that players value in the Hold and Win format.
Practical tips to maximise your winnings
Manage your bankroll: for high-volatility slots, an optimal strategy is to spread your capital over at least 200–250 spins. This gives a statistical chance to trigger the bonus game and a potential jackpot.
Use auto-play with limits: the menu offers auto-stop thresholds for wins/losses. Set them in advance to stay within comfortable bounds.
Don’t be afraid to raise the bet after a long “dry” streak: Hold and Win often compensates long periods without big wins with a single mega-hit. Increase the stake only when the bankroll allows.
You can’t change the stake during free spins, so choose it wisely before the Scatter bonus starts. All wins in free spins are calculated at the active base-game stake.
Watch the frequency of Boost: if it hasn’t appeared once in 50–70 spins, consider lowering the stake and “waiting out” a cold RNG phase.
The bonus game world — the path to jackpots
In classic terms a bonus game is a dedicated round with its own rules (often respins or pick-a-prize) that gives the player increased chances of a big win. In the Sun of Egypt series the bonuses revolve around Hold and Win: collected symbols stick, and the reels respin a limited number of times until new prize cells land.
In Sun of Egypt 4 the round is triggered by landing six or more Mystery, Boost or Bonus symbols. The player starts with 3 respins. Each new Bonus symbol resets the counter to 3 and the coin stays in place. Only Mystery, Boost, Bonus and Super Bonus symbols spin, sharply increasing jackpot chances.
Possible values:
- Bonus — 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10× the bet.
- Super Bonus — 3, 5, 8 or 10× the bet.
- Boost — 1, 2, 3 or 5× the bet with an instant collect of all coins on the grid.
If 5 Bonus coins and at least one Super Bonus appear, a Super Bonus game begins, where payouts and jackpot frequency are noticeably higher. Mystery symbols open after respins finish: each chest is revealed in turn, adding a cinematic “slow-unveil” treasure effect.
Collecting 20 any Bonus symbols automatically awards the ROYAL jackpot of 1000×. Even without the top prize, the bonus game often pays 50–150×, so every jackpot hunter aims for it.
Free demo mode and how to activate it
Demo mode is a version of the slot that uses virtual credits, letting you explore the mechanics without risking real money. It is identical to the full game: the same RTP, bonus intensity and RNG algorithm. The only difference is that wins are virtual and cannot be withdrawn.
To launch the demo, open the slot page at your chosen online casino and click “Demo” or “Free Play”. If the paid version opens instead, look for a Play for Real / Play for Fun toggle above the game window. Click the screenshot-icon switch to change mode. Some providers require you to log in before opening the free version — create an account in advance.
Tip: use the demo to test various stake sizes, gauge Boost frequency, calculate the theoretical average payout in the bonus round and set up auto-limits. Make at least 200–300 demo spins before moving to real bets — this will show whether the slot suits you.
Is it worth playing Sun of Egypt 4 — final verdict
Sun of Egypt 4: Hold and Win is a successful upgrade of a beloved series. Developer 3 Oaks Gaming has kept the signature visuals and music but heightened the drama with Boost multipliers and the new fifth ROYAL jackpot. Twenty-five paylines, improved graphics and the “sticky” bonus game create dense dynamics: even a short session can end in a solid win. Of course, high volatility requires patience, but the win potential outweighs the risk.
If you enjoy epic themes, large free-spin sessions and the chance to hit up to 1000× your stake in a single spin, go ahead and fire up Sun of Egypt 4. We recommend starting with the free demo to feel the heat of the ancient sun and see whether you’re ready for a real hunt for pharaohs’ gold.
Developer: 3 Oaks Gaming