Simple teaser: ‘Why didn’t the turkey want to eat on Christmas?’ – ‘Because it was already stuffed!’
One more: ‘Why is Rudolph is so good at answering trivia questions?’ – ‘He nose a lot.’
Ok, ok, last one: What happens when you combine Microgaming, Klaus – the toymaker, a replete with bonuses sleigh, a holiday traditional poultry meal, and some sweets? – A Ho Ho Ho slot.
Try this festive slot for free in the DEMO mode on our page. No registration is needed.
Personal testers’ opinion about Ho Ho Ho slot
- Apart from being very old school (a veteran slot – released in 2004) and dedicated to an extremely often executed plot, there is not much worthwhile to talk about. Mediocre graphics, simple design, average music, often boring in the base game, and even the 2 rounds of Free Spins retriggered in a row becomes routine when you know that no sensational payouts are coming. Well, these are all ‘flaws’/features of an old low-medium volatility slot.
- If you are on a small budget, you probably don’t mind playing slots that involve fewer risks. With them, you can extend your gameplay via small but frequent wins. But then again, show me a gambler that doesn’t want to take a risk? After a while, many players start to think of playing low variance slots – being a waste of time.
Back to Ho Ho Ho slot machine. There is no Mrs. Claus (who cooked the turkey then)? There are no Elfs, big shiny bells, or balls. There is also no Mr. Claus (Wild) magically expanding, freezing, or multiplying. The Presents (Scatters) pay only 60x the total bet (not 100x, as we are used to from other low-medium variance games), and the jackpot of the slot seems to be only those offered by the Wilds – 15000 coins in the base game or 30000 coins in the Free Spins (for 5OAK Mr. Claus symbols on a payline).
- Microgaming kept on ‘milking’ this same math model and gameplay for several years. Reskin after reskin. Ho Ho Ho slot machine – 2004, being the first of the same slots (or at least that we see for the purpose of this article), then the Munchkins slot (2008), and later the Twister slot (2009). With RTP under the industry average, with low-medium variance, the same structure of the paytable, Free Spins and Gamble game, the only difference is the new theme of the next machine. In our articles commenting on games cloning/reskinning, we already stated multiple times that we have only pessimistic and adverse opinions on these practices (you probably read about it).
Review and recommendations by the testing team
During our tests, the maximum obtained payout was 121x the total bet, and the average reward from the bonus round was just 19x the total bet. The win combinations at Ho Ho Ho, although smaller, are easier to land, allowing the playtime to elongate. On the other hand, the gameplay is super basic.
One might say that it is relaxing; others might think it is tedious. Either way, your credits are preserved for a long time, which will say that this game is suitable for fulfilling the wagering requirements. That is proved by the 6.3 points (out of 10) – above average, on the ‘fit for bonus money’ scale group of titles.
- To have a winning session at this or other slot machines, we think the starting point is choosing the optimal bet size. For the Ho Ho Ho, we suggest (based on our experience) bets between 15 and 30 coins, considering they deliver the best results in a long distance.
- Sure, if playing on minimum or super small bets, the frequency of triggering the Free Spins will be greater, but playing many bonus rounds doesn’t necessarily mean you are winning. We think that keeping a steady game with optimal bets, without fluctuations involving the max bet button, is the best way to play this machine.
- You should consider decreasing the bet for the next 20-30 spins after one well-paid bonus round. Then depending on the current balance, you can think of shifting back to the optimal stake size or pausing your session and returning later.
- Regarding using the gambling feature, you should recognize the amount that is a passable risk. Any winning amount greater than 3 current bets is not worth losing, so you should not gamble with it. If you so much feel lucky, just play black/red on the very small sums, and then not more than 2 times.
- Do not forget that the RTP of the slot is under 96%, factually for the Ho Ho Ho is 95.88. One might say – it is almost 96. Yes, but no. In slots, even the 0.2% difference in the return amounts could be crucial for the player. There are more slots with the same volatility and holiday theme to enjoy with a much better RTP.
Hidden parameters of the slot (data from the testing team)
- The frequency of triggering the bonus is statistically, every 141st spin (0,71%).
- The distribution of the winnings is 70% in the usual spins and 30% in the bonus feature.
- The maximum payout during the tests was 121x.
- The average winning from the bonus was 19x.
- Volatility is 4,63 of 20 (low to average).
- The cycle length is short to average.
- The rating of the slot machine for the wagering is 6,14 out of 10.
- RTP of 95,88% does not allow getting a positive mathematical expectation at the casino.
Free Spins
3+ Scatters (Wrapped Present box) dropped anywhere on the reels will launch 20 Free Spins. During the Free Spins, all the payouts have a multiplier x2 attached to them. Also, the Free Spins can be re-triggered.
Settings
- Provider – Microgaming company
- Number of reels – 5
- Number of pay lines – 15
- Cost of one coin – from 0.01 to 0.50
- Number of coins per line – from 1 to 10
- The range of coin sizes – from 0.01 to 75
- Maximum winning for the spin – x15,000 (wild symbol)
- Wild symbol – yes (Santa Claus)
- Scatters – yes (Gift)
- Free spins – yes (three to five scatters trigger 20 free spins with the multiplier of x2)
- The expected payout percentage in the slot is 95.88%
How to win at the Ho Ho Ho slot machine? (Conclusion)
We stressed enough times already and will not miss this time to mention how important it is to try the slot games in the free DEMO version before depositing real money.
Regarding bonus money wagering, we give Ho Ho Ho slot machine positive recommendations. So, bonus hunters can go ahead and try to complete the requirements here. The slot is good in keeping the balance, especially at medium distances.
We leave, however, neutral recommendations for playing with real money (mainly because of the insufficient RTP). You should consider the following:
- If you insist on gambling here, our suggestion is to have a sufficient starting balance of not less than 150x-200x bets.
- To play with the optimal bet size – 15 to 30 coins (if your bankroll tolerates this), and cut back the stake (to a minimum stake) after a large payout, regardless of where it is obtained: in the base or bonus game.
- If you managed to increase your initial credits by 30%, you should pause/terminate your session. Think of the low RTP of this slot machine.
- If you lose more than 30% of your initial balance, you better pause/leave this slot and return another time.
