Floating Dragon Hold & Spin Slot Review
Reel Kingdom have built a recognisable reputation within the Pragmatic Play portfolio, and their approach with Floating Dragon Hold & Spin demonstrates this partnership in action. Released on 15 April 2021, the game represents Pragmatic Play’s return to eastern-themed slots following a gap since Dragon Tiger in late 2020. Rather than chasing industry trends, the developers opted for a measured approach, combining the proven Hold & Spin mechanic (previously featured in Hot to Burn Hold and Spin) with money symbol collection systems descended from Reel Time Gaming’s iconic Fishin’ Frenzy. This 5 reel, 3 row slot operates on 10 fixed paylines with high volatility gameplay and a maximum win potential of 5,000x stake. The game sits comfortably within the lineage established by Big Bass Bonanza, adapting familiar mechanics to an Asian aesthetic complete with cherry blossom backgrounds and traditional Chinese musical accompaniment.
Base Game & Features
Floating Dragon operates on a straightforward 5 reel, 3 row configuration with 10 fixed paylines, offering wins from left to right when matching symbols land across consecutive reels. The paytable divides between standard playing card symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10) as low-paying icons and thematic premium symbols, with the ship symbol delivering the highest base game payout at 200x stake for a full line. The Red Dragon scatter appears on all reels and serves as the key to triggering the Free Spins bonus, whilst gold coin money symbols bring values ranging from 1x to 20x total bet when they land during base gameplay. Bet sizing accommodates a wide player base, with stakes ranging from 0.10 to 250 per spin.
Floating Dragon: Hold & Spin Feature
The primary differentiator from Big Bass Bonanza arrives through the Hold & Spin mechanic. When 3 gold coin symbols land simultaneously on the middle reel, the feature activates with an initial allocation of 3 respins. All triggering coins lock in position whilst remaining positions spin independently, with the respin counter resetting to 3 each time a new money symbol lands. Coin values range from 1x to 20x total bet, though the real potential lies with diamond symbols carrying values between 100x and 5,000x stake. The feature includes a minimum win guarantee: if the round ends with less than 20x stake accumulated, the game awards 3 additional respins to provide another opportunity. This protection mechanism ensures the feature doesn’t underperform, though reaching the maximum 5,000x payout requires landing multiple high-value diamonds alongside a full screen of money symbols.
Floating Dragon Hold & Spin Free Spins
Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols awards 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively, with the Asian Lady wild symbol appearing exclusively during this bonus mode. The wild serves a dual function: it substitutes for standard symbols to complete winning combinations, and crucially, it collects the values from all fish money symbols landing on the same spin. This collection mechanic mirrors the proven Fishin’ Frenzy formula, though Floating Dragon adds multiplier progression through its retrigger system. The game tracks wild collection across the round, with each set of wilds accumulated advancing the multiplier tier and awarding an additional 10 free spins. The multiplier structure follows a progressive pattern: the initial round plays at 1x, the first retrigger increases to 2x, the second retrigger applies 3x, and a final retrigger activates a substantial 10x multiplier for the fourth round. This escalation provides significant win potential when money symbols appear during the higher multiplier phases, though reaching the 10x tier requires sustained wild collection across extended gameplay.
Our Honest Verdict
Floating Dragon Hold & Spin positions itself as a dependable high-volatility offering that builds on proven mechanics rather than innovating dramatically. The dual bonus structure separates it from Big Bass Bonanza, giving players two distinct feature experiences: the Hold & Spin respin mechanic and the Free Spins wild collection system. With a maximum win of 5,000x stake (notably double Big Bass Bonanza’s 2,100x cap), the game appeals to those seeking substantial potential without reaching the extreme variance of 20,000x+ releases like Money Train or San Quentin. The 96.71% RTP sits comfortably above the 96% industry average, though operators may offer lower variants at 95.67% or 94.62%, so checking the active RTP before play is advisable.
The Asian theme delivers a visually polished experience with cherry blossom backgrounds and traditional Chinese musical accompaniment, creating a calming atmosphere that contrasts with the high-volatility mathematics beneath. This makes the game suitable for extended sessions when seeking less aggressive sensory stimulation, though the base game hit frequency of approximately 1 in 8 spins means wins arrive with reasonable regularity. Free Spins trigger less frequently at roughly 1 in 222 spins, positioning bonus rounds as significant events rather than common occurrences.
For players familiar with the Fishin’ Frenzy lineage, Floating Dragon continues the evolutionary path through Big Bass Bonanza with competent execution. The Hold & Spin mechanic adds variety that Big Bass lacks, though those specifically drawn to fishing themes will naturally gravitate towards the Bass series. High volatility enthusiasts seeking proven mechanics with above-average RTP will find the game delivers on its promise, whilst casual players or those preferring frequent smaller wins should look towards medium volatility alternatives. The 5,000x cap has become something of a running theme in recent Pragmatic Play releases, which positions the game safely in the high-volatility middle ground rather than chasing the truly massive potential seen from competing providers. It will more than suffice for those who appreciate the elegant eastern aesthetic paired with familiar collection mechanics, though it doesn’t break new ground for players seeking innovation in the increasingly saturated Hold & Spin market.
Floating Dragon Hold & Spin FAQs
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What is the RTP of Floating Dragon Hold & Spin?
Floating Dragon Hold & Spin offers multiple RTP options: 96.71% (default high RTP), 95.67%, and 94.62%. The 96.71% variant is the optimal version, sitting above the 96% industry average. Always check which RTP your chosen casino operates before playing, as lower variants may be active. -
What is the maximum win on Floating Dragon Hold & Spin?
The maximum win potential is 5,000x your stake. This cap is notably double Big Bass Bonanza’s 2,100x maximum, positioning Floating Dragon as the higher-potential alternative within the same mechanical family. The maximum win can be reached through the Hold & Spin feature when diamond symbols (ranging from 100x to 5,000x) combine with a full screen of money symbols. -
Does Floating Dragon Hold & Spin have free spins?
Yes. Landing 3, 4, or 5 Red Dragon scatter symbols awards 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively. During the bonus round, the Asian Lady wild symbol appears and collects values from all fish money symbols landing on the same spin. The feature includes retrigger mechanics that advance multipliers through 1x, 2x, 3x, and 10x tiers whilst awarding additional spins. -
Can I play Floating Dragon Hold & Spin on mobile?
Yes, Floating Dragon Hold & Spin is fully mobile-compatible. Built with HTML5 responsive technology, the game works seamlessly on iOS and Android devices in both portrait and landscape orientation. No download is required, as the game runs directly in mobile browsers with full functionality retained. -
Does Floating Dragon Hold & Spin have a bonus buy feature?
No, the original Floating Dragon Hold & Spin does not include a bonus buy option. Players must trigger the Hold & Spin and Free Spins features organically through standard gameplay. Note that a separate Megaways variant of Floating Dragon exists which does include bonus buy functionality, though this feature may be restricted in certain jurisdictions including the UK. -
How does the Hold & Spin feature work in Floating Dragon?
The Hold & Spin feature activates when 3 gold coin symbols land simultaneously on the middle reel. You receive 3 respins with triggering coins locked in position. Each new money symbol that lands resets the respin counter back to 3. Coin values range from 1x to 20x, whilst diamond symbols carry premium values between 100x and 5,000x. The feature includes a 20x minimum win guarantee: if your accumulated total falls below 20x stake when respins expire, the game awards 3 additional respins automatically. -
What volatility is Floating Dragon Hold & Spin?
Floating Dragon Hold & Spin is rated as high volatility (4/5 on some scales, or medium-high volatility). This means wins arrive less frequently but with larger potential payouts when they do hit. Base game hit frequency sits at approximately 1 in 8 spins, whilst Free Spins trigger around 1 in 222 spins. High volatility chasers seeking substantial win potential will find the game suits their preferences, though players preferring consistent smaller wins should consider medium volatility alternatives.
