Introduction to Le Bandit Hold & Win
Le Bandit Hold & Win is a casino slot from Hacksaw Gaming where Smokey the Raccoon returns to the streets of Paris! The “Le series” from Hacksaw Gaming has become a cornerstone of their slot catalogue and one of the industry’s most recognizable brands. Just as in the original Le Bandit, we find Smokey in an alley in the City of Love, scamming tourists and looking for trouble. However, this time the provider continues their Hold & Win push, offering a small 3x3 game grid and two Hold & Win features. This is a scaled-down, lighter edition of the popular series, aimed at attracting Hold & Win fans and offering a more uncomplicated approach. For us, it doesn’t have the same allure and creativity that we’re used to, offering a more looping gameplay and a modest win potential. However, with an eye-catching RTP of 97.48% and Jackpot Prizes, it can be worth joining Smokey for another adventure.
Theme, Gameplay, & Payouts
Le Bandit Hold & Win is a video slot by Hacksaw Gaming that features 3 reels, 3 rows, and 9 paylines. Players can select bet sizes ranging from 0.05 to 400, with a default RTP of 97.48%, which is considered well above the industry average. This game has medium volatility and offers potential wins of up to 2,500X your bet.
The game’s design is based on the familiar Smokey the Raccoon theme. This time, the mischievous trickster returns to the streets of Paris for Pots of Gold and Jackpots. The small 3x3 is in the middle of the screen, with the Mini, Major, Mega, and Grand Jackpot on the left side, awarding potential wins of 5X, 25X, 250X, or 2,500X the bet, respectively. If you want to boost the gaming experience at a cost, activate the Feature Buy button in the corner on the left. All other buttons, including the Spin and Bet Size, can be found below the reels. You can play Le Bandit Hold & Win on all mobile devices, desktops, and notepads. You create a winning combination by landing 3 or more of the same symbol types on adjacent reels starting at the leftmost reel.
The lower-paying symbols are K and A. Landing 3 of the same symbol type pays 0.2X. The higher-paying symbols are a bear trap, bread, and a hat. Landing 3 of the same symbol type pays between 1X and 3X.
The game’s Coin Symbol can appear on the reels with values ranging from 0.2X to 50X the bet. Whenever 3 or more Coin Symbols land in view, their total value is awarded. Landing a Rainbow or Epic Rainbow Scatter during the Base Game will trigger the Rainbow Fortune Hold & Win and Epic Drop Hold Win features, respectively. During the Bonus Games, we are introduced to the familiar Special Symbols such as blanks, Clover, and Pot of Gold Symbols. Let’s find out what kind of features this game has to offer.
Special Features & Slot Mechanics
What is the max win in the slot of Le Bandit Hold & Win?
The max win is 2,500X the bet.
What features are available in the slot of Le Bandit Hold & Win?
The features of this slot game are Coin & Jackpot Symbols, Rainbow Fortune Hold & Win, Rainbow Epic Drop Hold & Win, and Feature Buy.
Coin & Jackpot Symbols
Landing 3 or more Coin or Jackpot Symbols in view during the Base Game will award their total value. The Coin Symbol can reveal the following cash values:
Bronze Coins = 0.2X, 0.4X, 1X, and 2X the bet.
Silver Coins = 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X, and 9X the bet.
Gold Coins = 10X, 20X, 30X, 40X, and 50X the bet.
The Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand Jackpot can award 5X, 25X, 250X, and 2,500X the bet, respectively.
Rainbow Fortune Hold & Win
This feature can be triggered whenever a Rainbow Scatter Symbol lands in view during the Base Game, awarding 3 respins. Only blanks, Coin, Jackpot, Pot of Gold, and Clover Symbols can appear on the reels. Whenever one of these symbols lands in view (except the blanks), they are locked on the reels, and the respins reset to 3 again.
The following Special Symbols have the following effects:
Clover Symbol = Activates when the Hold & Win is over, and applies a multiplier value of 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X, 9X, 10X, 15X, or 20X on all Coin, Jackpot, and Pot of Gold Symbols in view.
Pot of Gold = Collect the values of all Coin Symbols and other activated Pot of Gold Symbols in view. When a Coin Symbol has been collected, it’s removed from the reels. Only one Pot of Gold can land per spin.
If the game grid gets filled with Special Symbols, you are awarded their total value, before they get removed from the reels before the next spin, ”starting fresh” for the following spin, which boosts the win potential for additional wins.
The feature ends when no more respins remain, and the total value of all Coin, Jackpot, and Pot of Gold Symbols is awarded.
Rainbow Epic Drop Hold & Win
This feature can be triggered by landing an Epic Rainbow Scatter Symbol during the Base Game, awarding 3 respins.
Here, you get the same mechanics as the Rainbow Fortune Hold & Win. In addition, a full grid of Coin, Jackpot, Pot of Gold, and Clover Symbols is guaranteed from the start. The Coin Symbols can land with a minimum value of 1X the bet.
Feature Buy
If you want to advance directly to the Bonus Game for a cost, use the Feature Buy options:
35X = Triggers the Rainbow Fortune Hold & Win with an RTP of 97.5%.
100X = Triggers the Rainbow Epic Drop Hold & Win with an RTP of 97.49%.
Final Thoughts on Le Bandit Hold & Win
Hacksaw Gaming adds another Hold & Win edition to their popular Le Series. This release is based on the original Le Bandit, offering a polished version of identical visuals. Usually, the series mixes humour with innovative gameplay, making it one of the hottest brands in the industry. However, here the provider plays it safe by offering a design we’ve already seen, one that lacks the memorable moments we’re used to.
Looking at the gameplay, it offers the same payout potential and structure as Le Sortudo, including Coin & Jackpot payouts during the Base Game and two Hold & Win features. So what makes this game stand out? Firstly, it’s an homage to the original Le Bandit, appealing to fans of the series who want a more scaled-down version featuring Hold & Win mechanics. Secondly, it offers an eye-catching RTP of 97.48%, which means a more favourable experience in the long run, although it doesn’t guarantee winning spins. Considering the reputation and popularity of the Le series, we expected a more unique experience and not a reskin of Le Sortudo, but with boosted RTP. The Hold & Win approach might find an audience that enjoys the series’ vibe but wants a lighter version with easy-to-follow rules. For us, it doesn’t push the series forward, and we hope Hacksaw Gaming doesn’t continue to water down an otherwise excellent series.
Le Bandit Hold & Win doesn’t bring anything new to the table and lacks the creativity of its predecessors, relying on a familiar design and recycled gameplay.
