Lucky New Year Slot Review

In the Lucky New Year base game, everything is built on five reels and twenty paylines. The symbols are completely on the topic: a dog, fruits, gold coins, lanterns and classic Chinese objects. The largest payouts in the regular game are for the dog symbol, it can really pull out the balance if it falls out often. Sometimes large Wilds (a dragon) appear on the screen, which can cover the whole reel at once and help to collect top lines. In addition, bonus coins (Firework) periodically fall out in the base game, which trigger the main feature of this slot - Hold & Spin.

Here the bonuses are as simple as possible, but you really expect them. The main feature is the Hold & Spin feature, which is triggered when three or more Firework symbols (coins) appear on the central reels. After that, all regular symbols disappear, and only bonus coins and empty cells remain on the screen. Each new coin gives three additional respins, and if the field is completely filled, the Grand Jackpot is activated. In the process, you can win a Mini or Major Jackpot if the corresponding coin appears on the reels. All amounts from coins are added up and paid out at the end of the bonus.

Another bonus is Free Spins, which are activated by three Scatters (a Chinese lantern). In this mode, giant Wilds often appear on the reels, and the chance of catching a cool line increases. The bonus can be extended if the Scatter falls out again, but the chip, of course, is in Hold & Spin with a chance of the jackpot.

The symbolism here is all in the spirit of the holiday: a dog (top symbol), a tiger, fruits, reels and, of course, coins and lanterns. Wild is a dragon that appears in large blocks and replaces any regular symbols. Firework (coin) is the key to the main bonus, and Scatter (lantern) is responsible for Free Spins. The minimum payouts are usually given by fruits, but all other symbols are built on "classic" images for such machines. The most valuable symbol is a dog, but large payouts are most often obtained due to successful bonuses, and not the base game.

The maximum win here is the Grand Jackpot, which is most often x1,000 of the bet, although the denomination may differ depending on the casino. To catch such a drift, you need to completely fill the field with bonus coins during Hold & Spin. In reality, most winning situations are limited to a Mini or Major Jackpot, or a good series of coins in Hold & Spin. The volatility here is medium-high, so sometimes there are long streaks without a bonus, but when you catch a successful series of coins, you can close the session in the black. In Free Spins, it is possible to catch a good multiplier if large Wilds enter.

The graphics in Lucky New Year are typical of Pragmatic Play: juicy, but without too much detail. All symbols are bright, but not annoying, the background with fireworks creates an atmosphere of a real holiday. The sounds are simple, but there is something catchy — for example, the jingle of coins and the drum roll when you catch the bonus. In general, the atmosphere is as simple and recognisable as possible, there is no feeling of "overload" with animations, everything works stably and without lags.

This slot is clearly suitable for those who are looking for simple, fast and intuitive slot machines with a chance of the jackpot. If you like Hold & Spin, and you want to chase the Grand Jackpot without too much fuss, Lucky New Year will come in. Beginners will also be comfortable: there are no complex rules, everything is clear from the first minutes. But those who are looking for long bonus games or unusual features may find it boring here - the main bet is made on instant returns and classic symbols.

Due to medium-high volatility, I advise you not to chase the maximum rates — it is better to choose a comfortable amount so that it is enough for a long session. The Hold & Spin bonus may not fall out for a long time, but when it does, it has a decent potential. The RTP is usually 96.01%, but Pragmatic Play allows casinos to reduce this figure – be sure to check which one you have. Auto-spins can be used, but bonuses often come in waves, so it makes sense to stop and change your bet sometimes.