Starburst
NetEnt · RTP 96.09% (varies) · Up to 500x
Reviewed by A. Lynch
·
Updated: 2026-06-03
Dead or Alive vs Mustang Hold and Win — 2026 Comparison
Independent side-by-side comparison of Dead or Alive by NetEnt and Mustang Hold and Win by Booming Games. RTP, volatility, max win, and verdict below.
Quick Verdict
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Dead or Alive | Mustang Hold and Win |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | NetEnt | Booming Games |
| RTP | 98.08% (varies) | 96% (varies) |
| Volatility | High | High |
| Reels | N/A | 5 |
| Paylines | 9 | 25 |
| Max Win | Up to 13,888x | Up to 2,000x |
| Min Bet | £0.09 | £0.25 |
| Max Bet | £18 | £250 |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Themes | wild-west | wild-west |
| Full Review | Read Dead or Alive review → | Read Mustang Hold and Win review → |
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Dead or Alive wins over Mustang Hold and Win on max win potential (13,888× stake vs 2,000× stake). Mustang Hold and Win leads on payline count with 25 lines against Dead or Alive's 9. Choose Dead or Alive if you want a sky-high RTP and extreme variance; choose Mustang Hold and Win if you prefer a wider payline grid with contemporary Hold and Win mechanics.
Side-by-Side Specs
Both titles share a Wild West Wild West setting and high volatility, but the specs reveal a very different design philosophy across sixteen years of slot development.
| Spec | Dead or Alive | Mustang Hold and Win |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | 98.08% (varies)% | 96% (varies)% |
| Volatility | High | High |
| Max Win | Up to 13,888x× | Up to 2,000x× |
| Paylines | 9 | 25 |
| Provider | NetEnt | Booming Games |
| Theme | Wild West | Wild West |
| Release Year | 2009 | 2025 |
How Dead or Alive Plays
Released by NetEnt in 2009, Dead or Alive is a 5-reel, 9-payline video slot that has retained a dedicated following for over fifteen years. Its core appeal is a free-spins round that can award sticky wilds across the reels, compounding multipliers through each respin. The mathematics are unforgiving: the 98.08% RTP is one of the highest published figures on the UK market, yet the high volatility means individual sessions can swing sharply. In our testing, base-game wins arrived infrequently, with most returns concentrated in the free-spins feature. The narrow 9-line structure keeps bets accessible but limits hit frequency outside bonus play. See Dead or Alive review for a full mechanic breakdown and paytable analysis.
How Mustang Hold and Win Plays
Launched in 2025 by Booming Games, Mustang Hold and Win is a 5-reel, 25-payline Video slot built around a Hold and Win bonus mechanic. The wider payline grid produces noticeably more frequent base-game combinations than Dead or Alive's 9-line layout. The Hold and Win feature locks coin symbols on the reels for respins, with the public paytable disclosing a maximum exposure of 2,000× stake. Volatility is rated high, so patience is still required between meaningful payouts. The 2025 release date means it incorporates current reel technology and visual standards, which may appeal to players who find the 2009-era presentation of Dead or Alive dated. Read Mustang Hold and Win review for full feature details.
Who Wins On Each Metric
RTP winner
Dead or Alive edges it decisively: Dead or Alive rtp shows 98.08% against Mustang Hold and Win's 96%, a 2.08 percentage-point advantage that is statistically meaningful over long play sessions.
Max win winner
Dead or Alive again: its 13,888× ceiling dwarfs Mustang Hold and Win's 2,000× cap, making it the clear choice for players targeting extreme single-session outcomes.
Volatility fit
Both slots are rated high volatility - consult Slot Volatility Explained if that designation is unfamiliar - but Mustang Hold and Win's 25-payline structure produces more frequent small returns, making it the more manageable high-variance option for steady sessions.
Bonus feature winner
Mustang Hold and Win takes this one: the Hold and Win respin mechanic with coin-lock functionality is a more layered modern structure compared to Dead or Alive's sticky-wild free spins, offering additional interaction during bonus play.
Which Should You Play?
Play Dead or Alive if...
You prioritise a high published RTP of 98.08% and are comfortable with a narrow 9-payline grid that concentrates variance into the free-spins round. This suits experienced players with a longer session horizon who are willing to absorb dry spells in pursuit of the 13,888× maximum.
Play Mustang Hold and Win if...
You want a 2025-built game with 25 paylines, a modern Hold and Win respin structure, and a more measured 2,000× max win ceiling. The wider grid suits players who prefer more frequent base-game activity, even within a high-volatility framework.
Play both if...
You enjoy Wild West-themed video slots and want to contrast a 2009 NetEnt classic against a 2025 Booming Games release. Playing both reveals how the genre has evolved across sixteen years of reel design.
Where to Play Both Slots in the UK
Spin Genie holds licences from the UKGC and carries both titles in its lobby, making it a convenient single destination. UK players should note current stake caps, the 5-second spin interval, and the 10× wagering cap on any bonus accepted. Please gamble responsibly and visit BeGambleAware for support. 18+ only.
For alternative options, see Dead Or Alive and Mustang Hold And Win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has higher RTP - Dead or Alive or Mustang Hold and Win?
Dead or Alive has the higher RTP at 98.08%, compared to Mustang Hold and Win's 96% - a gap of 2.08 percentage points. That figure is among the highest published RTPs on the UK market and is a meaningful long-run advantage. However, both slots carry high volatility, so the RTP reflects theoretical return over millions of spins rather than a guarantee of short-session outcomes. Always check the RTP your chosen casino applies, as some operators configure alternative lower-RTP versions of the same game.
Is Dead or Alive more volatile than Mustang Hold and Win?
Both Dead or Alive and Mustang Hold and Win are rated high volatility, so neither is straightforwardly 'more volatile' by category. In practice, Dead or Alive's 9-payline structure concentrates returns into its sticky-wild free-spins round, producing fewer base-game wins and sharper session swings. Mustang Hold and Win's 25-payline grid generates more frequent small base-game combinations, which softens the felt variance despite the same high-volatility label. Players with a lower risk tolerance may find Mustang Hold and Win's wider grid easier to manage. See Slot Volatility Explained for a full explanation of volatility ratings.
What is the maximum win on Dead or Alive vs Mustang Hold and Win?
Dead or Alive carries a published maximum win of 13,888× stake, while Mustang Hold and Win's ceiling is 2,000× stake. That is a difference of 11,888× in favour of the NetEnt classic. However, a higher maximum win potential also implies that outcomes are more dispersed - the 13,888× figure is an extreme tail result. Mustang Hold and Win's 2,000× cap is more attainable in statistical terms. Neither figure represents a likely or guaranteed outcome during any individual session.