Play Ho Ho Ho for Free

There are plenty of seasonal slot machines out there, many of which try to do something different by bringing in overlapping themes and many of which go way overboard with the decorations. Oftentimes, this overload of jingles and baubles might actually put spinners off Christmas altogether, but not this slot machine. Because Ho Ho Ho plays it nice and safe by presenting a range of simple festive themed reel symbols – nothing too gaudy and nothing too sickly.

In fact, this slot machine sticks to the classic icons of advent with a range of edible treats such as candy cane, gingerbread, classic Christmas pudding and a roast turkey. There's even a plate of cookies and milk for ol' Santa Claus. Other icons include a fully decorated Christmas tree, a sleigh which is chock-a-block with presents and leading the way is Rudolph.

This slot machine is one of those slightly dated Microgaming titles which offers two different modes of play: “regular” and “expert”. There's not actually much of a difference between the two formats, and you certainly don't need to have a PHD in Christmas themed slot machines to play the expert mode. The only difference is that spinners can use an autoplay feature when playing as an expert. Because experts are obviously too clever to use their fingers to click “Spin” every time they want to see the reels go round.

Other than that, players simply have to determine the size of their bets by using the controls at the bottom of the game screen hub. Like most Microgaming slots, you can choose the number of lines in play, the number of coins staked on each line and the size of those coins. These three values are multiplied together to get your total bet. Wins are calculated by multiplying the bet value on the winning line.

Are you ready to see what Santa has in store for you? Well, if you've been nice then you could be treated to a 15,000x line bet multiplier. Actually, you will have the exact same chance to win even if you have been naughty since this game has no bias towards individual morality, unlike that judgemental Mr Santa Claus.

In order to win that 15,000x jackpot, you simply have to find five Father Christmas icons lined up on an active pay line. Five Rudolph symbols will pay 500x and five sleighs equals a 400x pay-out. A quintet of Christmas trees offers 200x and the turkey will pay out up to 100x. Going down in value further and you will find that the pudding gives 90x, the milk and cookies pay 80x, the gingerbread man offers 60x and the candy cane will only reward 50x the value of the bet per line.

If you do end up with a naff present this Christmas time, then you can always trade it in for a go on the gamble game. This classic side feature gives players the chance to double or quadruple their wins by guessing the colour or suit of a turned over playing card.

That Santa symbol is not only the most lucrative symbol in Ho Ho Ho, but it will also play as a wild icon to replace other symbols and thus complete winning lines. However, there is one symbol which Santa has no power over and that is the scatter icon, depicted as a bow wrapped present. Find three, four or five of these icons simultaneously on the reels and you will receive a gift of 20 free spins. If that's not good enough then these stake free games will bring into play a x2 multiplier which will be applied to all wins. That's the best present you could ask for in our opinion.

Ho Ho Ho is a good bet for punters who want something with a little bit of festive cheer. The truth is that this slot machine takes on the Christmas theme without going over the top while sticking true to the traditions of the holiday. Perhaps some punters will be deterred by the lack of interesting bonus features offered by other types of slot machine but it is difficult to complain when a slot machine offers free spins with double wins.