Luck, pots of gold, and big wins. 3 Ribbon Pots brings the lucky charms of the land of emerald fields to life in a fast-paced 3x3 Hold & Win slot.
Combining a proven mechanic with a new Super Hold & Win feature and Bonus Buy options, the game is designed to appeal to players of different play styles and preferences.
In this first edition of our Beyond the Game series, we sit down with our colleague Samuel Zido, the game producer behind 3 Ribbon Pots, to uncover the creative inspiration and thinking that make this 3x3 gem a strong contender in the ever-popular coin mechanic category.
Crafting the Concept. From Folklore to Hold & Win Innovation
Q: Hi Samuel. Can you tell us a bit about your role at Tom Horn Gaming and what your main focus was on 3 Ribbon Pots?
I’m a Game Producer at Tom Horn Gaming, and my role is to guide both the creative vision and the production workflow of each title - from the first spark of an idea through design documentation to production. For 3 Ribbon Pots, my main focus was to capture the spirit of Irish folklore and the theme of luck, and merge it with a modern Hold & Win mechanic that delivers a fresh player experience, excitement, strong visual involvement, and a sense of progress for players.
Q: What inspired the idea behind 3 Ribbon Pots? Was there a specific concept or trend you wanted to explore with this game?
We were inspired by how players respond to visual anticipation, the feeling that something’s building up. The idea of three magical pots, each tied to a ribbon of fate - red, green, and blue - gave us the perfect framework to explore that.
The concept of the Red Ribbon draws inspiration from an Irish folk tale about a farmer outsmarted by a leprechaun. The man marks a tree with a red ribbon to find the leprechaun’s hidden pot of gold, only to return and discover that every tree in the field has been marked by a ribbon. This story of luck, wit, and hidden treasure served as the narrative foundation for the game’s theme of fate and discovery.
In the game, each pot represents a different reward path: Jackpots, Collectors, and Multipliers. We wanted players to feel that every spin contributes toward filling those pots, keeping them emotionally invested. This approach allowed us to evolve the traditional Hold & Win concept into a more strategic experience, offering seven possible bonus combinations, including the ultimate Super Hold & Win round.
Q: How does this title fit within Tom Horn Gaming’s broader portfolio?
3 Ribbon Pots is a great example of how Tom Horn Gaming continues to evolve. We’ve always aimed to balance classic slot appeal with modern interactive depth, and this game is a bridge between those worlds. On the surface, 3 Ribbon Pots looks like a traditional 3x3 slot with five paylines, but the coin collection, pot-trigger animations, and multiple Hold & Win modes turn it into a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly replayable experience. It’s also built in HTML5 with responsive portrait play, aligning perfectly with our focus on mobile-first, feature-rich games.
Q: 3 Ribbon Pots combines a traditional Irish luck theme with modern mechanics. How did you strike the right balance between familiarity and innovation?
We started with the emotional language of Irish-themed slots - clovers, harps, hats, and 7s, but applied a semi-realistic, polished visual direction. The key innovation was making the pots themselves active elements: they collect coins, tease, shake, and can trigger bonuses at any time.
This bridges the gap between visual charm and game mechanics - players recognise the Irish magic but experience it through evolving features and interactivity.
Inside the Gameplay. Features That Drive Engagement
Q: Could you walk us through the game’s main features? What makes the mechanics particularly exciting for players?
At its heart, 3 Ribbon Pots is a Hold & Win game, but with a twist. There are three separate Hold & Win modes, each tied to a coin colour and pot type: red for Jackpots, green for Collectors, and blue for Multipliers.
These can combine dynamically - two at once or even all three in the Super Hold & Win. Each combination changes how the bonus behaves, creating up to seven unique versions of the feature.
The Buy feature lets players jump straight into action - either the regular Hold & Win (50x bet) or Super Hold & Win (120x bet). Visually, the pots teasing and collecting coins between spins adds anticipation even outside the bonuses.
Q: How did you approach the pacing and overall feel of the game to appeal to both casual players and high-value players?
We built pacing around layered anticipation. Casual players enjoy seeing coins collected and pots shake frequently, while high-value players can use the Buy feature to skip right into high-volatility action.
We also invested heavily in the gameplay experience, introducing flexible SPIN/STOP options and two acceleration modes, TURBO and SUPER TURBO, that give players full control over the game speed and rhythm.
Combined with short 3x3 spins and fast respins, the experience stays energetic and gratifying across all player types.
Q: What makes 3 Ribbon Pots stand out compared to other titles in the Hold & Win or Coin Collect category? Why should players hit the spin button on this one?
Variety and interaction. Most Hold & Win games focus on a single mechanic, but 3 Ribbon Pots builds on three interconnected systems - each pot has its own role, and when they combine, the results can surprise players.
You can have a Collector and Multiplier interacting together, or a Jackpot appearing in a Collector round, which means every bonus feels unique. Plus, the Super Hold & Win combines all three effects, making it one of the most satisfying Hold & Win finales we’ve built.
Built for engagement and retention
Q: The game has high volatility and a maximum exposure of x15,985.5. How did you design its mathematical model to maintain both excitement and balance?
We wanted the math to feel explosive yet controlled. The coin collection system softens waiting times by providing visible progress, while the heightened volatility inside Hold & Win features creates memorable wins, including the chance to land the GRAND Jackpot, the ultimate prize that fills the entire screen with golden coins.
The balance comes from the respin reset mechanic, the stacking multipliers, and value collectors, which create moments of growing excitement. It’s structured so that each feature has strong potential, but the SUPER Hold & Win is where the true maximum exposure lies.
Q: How do you see the game’s impact on player behaviour and the game’s overall performance?
We expect strong retention thanks to the collection mechanic. Players rarely leave when their pots are partially filled. The Buy feature also creates instant engagement for more experienced players and streamers, letting them dive straight into the action.
Visually, the shaking pots and coin trails make the game highly watchable, which also helps it perform well on streaming and promotional channels. The game’s fast-paced rhythm, dynamic progression, and visual teasing are key drivers of strong performance and player stickiness.
Q: Which markets did you have in mind when developing 3 Ribbon Pots?
The game was designed with a broad international appeal, but we paid special attention to European markets where Irish-themed slots perform exceptionally well. The simplicity of the 3x3 layout and the fast tempo also make it suitable for mobile-first and LATAM audiences, who prefer quick, high-paced gameplay loops.
Q: The St Patrick’s theme gives the game a seasonal appeal. How can operators use that to their advantage in promotions or campaigns?
Operators can easily tie 3 Ribbon Pots into St. Patrick’s Day promotions with “Fill the Pots” or “Ribbon Rush” themed events. The three-pot system naturally fits progressive mission or tournament mechanics for engaging promotional activities.
The visual identity - green tones, ribbons, and shimmering coins - makes it ideal for both seasonal promotions and year-round Irish collections.
Behind the Scenes
Q: Were there any specific challenges the team faced during development?
Yes, the biggest challenge was balancing seven interconnected Hold & Win modes without making the rules overwhelming. Each combination - Red + Green, Blue + Green, etc. - had to feel unique but still easy for players to understand.
We also worked hard on transition animations between the base game and bonuses to ensure the pots’ motion felt fluid and rewarding. Getting that “collect and trigger” moment just right took multiple iterations between art, animation, and math teams.
Q: What was the most satisfying moment for you while working on this game?
Seeing all three pots shake and trigger the Super Hold & Win for the first time. It’s a cinematic moment. The whole screen lights up, and you know you’ve hit something rare and powerful. That’s the kind of emotion we aim to create: anticipation turning into a moment of triumph.
Q: If you could describe 3 Ribbon Pots in three words, what would they be?
Vivid. Anticipating. Rewarding.