What are Megaways slots, and why do the reels keep changing?
Every spin reshapes the reels, so the number of ways to win changes too. Here’s how the mechanic works.
A Megaways slot changes how many symbols land on each reel every time you spin. Because the reel heights change, the number of ways to win changes too, up to 117,649 in most games.
Big Time Gaming created the mechanic in 2016, and it’s now used in hundreds of slots from dozens of studios. Below, we cover how Megaways works, where it came from, how to play, the features you’ll see most often and what high volatility means for your budget.
How do Megaways slots work?
Most Megaways games use six reels. On every spin, each reel lands with a random number of symbols, usually between two and seven. This is called a random reel modifier, and it’s the reason the layout looks different every time you spin.
How the ways to win are counted
Count the symbols on each reel and multiply them together. A spin that lands 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 symbols gives you 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 × 6 × 7 = 5,040 ways to win.
When all six reels land seven symbols, it’s 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649, the maximum in most Megaways games. The game shows the current count on screen, so you don’t have to do the math yourself.
Ways to win, not paylines
Megaways slots don’t use fixed paylines. A win pays when matching symbols land on adjacent reels, usually starting from the leftmost reel, in any position on each of those reels.
If one reel holds two of the matching symbols, that combination pays on twice as many ways.
The horizontal top reel
Many Megaways games add a horizontal reel above the middle reels. It puts an extra symbol on top of each of those reels, which raises the ways count. In Bonanza, the game that made Megaways popular, the top reel is a mine cart that rolls across the screen.
Where did Megaways come from?
Big Time Gaming, a studio based in New South Wales, Australia, released the first Megaways slot, Dragon Born, in February 2016. Bonanza followed in December 2016 with a gold mine theme, six reels and up to 117,649 ways to win, and it became the game most players think of when they hear the name.
Big Time Gaming patented the mechanic and licenses it to other studios. That’s why you’ll find Megaways versions of familiar games from providers like Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play and Blueprint Gaming. Evolution bought Big Time Gaming in 2021.
How to play Megaways slots
- Pick a game and open the info screen. Check the RTP (return to player) and volatility before you spin, since both vary from one Megaways game to the next.
- Set your bet. Your stake covers every way to win on that spin, so there are no lines to choose.
- Spin and watch the reels. Each reel lands at a new height, and the ways counter updates to match.
- Follow the cascades. In most Megaways games, winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in to fill the gaps. Each drop can create another win from the same spin, until no new wins land.
- Look for the bonus trigger. Scatter symbols usually unlock free spins, and the info screen shows how many you need.
Common Megaways features
Cascading reels
Sometimes called Tumble or Avalanche, winning symbols are removed and replaced so one spin can pay several times in a row.
Free spins with a growing multiplier
Many Megaways games add a win multiplier during free spins that goes up with each cascade. In Bonanza, the multiplier rises by one with every cascade and doesn’t reset between free spins.
Mystery symbols and symbol upgrades
Some games land mystery symbols that all turn into the same symbol, or upgrade low-paying symbols to higher-paying ones during a bonus. These features change from game to game, so check the paytable to see what each one does.
Are Megaways slots high volatility?
Most Megaways slots are high volatility. Wins tend to come less often, with longer stretches between them, but they can be bigger when they land.
A high ways count doesn’t make a game more likely to pay. Every spin is random, and RTP is a long-term average across a very large number of spins, not a prediction for your session. A big win is no more due on your next spin than it was on your last one.
If you’re trying Megaways for the first time, set a budget and a time limit before you start, and choose a bet size that lets that budget last. Betty’s responsible gaming tools let you set limits before you play.
Popular Megaways slots to try on Betty
- Ancient Fortunes Poseidon Megaways (Games Global): Poseidon’s undersea kingdom with cascading reels, a free spins multiplier that rises with every cascade and four fixed jackpots.
- Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming): the original hit, with a gold mine theme, Reactions and a free spins multiplier that keeps climbing.
- Extra Chilli Megaways (Big Time Gaming): a chilli-themed game from the studio that created Megaways.
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger): the classic Gonzo’s Quest rebuilt on six reels, with its Avalanche feature intact. Read our review.
- Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play): a prairie theme with tumbling reels. Read our review.
Megaways slots FAQ
What does Megaways mean?
Megaways is Big Time Gaming’s name for its random reel mechanic. The number of symbols on each reel changes every spin, so the number of ways to win changes too.
How many paylines do Megaways slots have?
None. Megaways slots use ways to win instead of paylines. Most games offer up to 117,649 ways on a single spin.
Are Megaways slots worth playing?
If you like games with a lot happening on screen and you’re comfortable with high volatility, they’re worth a try. If you prefer smaller, steadier wins, a low-volatility slot may suit you better. Either way, check the RTP and volatility in the game info first.
Who makes Megaways slots?
Big Time Gaming created Megaways and licenses it to other studios, including Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play and Blueprint Gaming.
Can a Megaways slot pay more than once on a spin?
Yes, in games with cascading reels. Winning symbols are cleared and new ones drop in, and every new winning combination pays until the reels stop producing wins.
Ready to spin?
Megaways slots reshape their reels on every spin, and once you know how the ways are counted, the rest of the game is easier to follow.
Pick a game, check the info screen and set your limits before you start.
