How Do Megaways Slots Work? A Guide to the Megaways Mechanic

If you explore the online slots available at NetBet Casino, you’ll probably come across games carrying the Megaways name. Megaways is a slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming that uses changing reel configurations to create a variable number of ways to win. Instead of seeing exactly the same number of symbols on every reel from one spin to the next, the reel layout can change, making each spin look and play slightly differently.

But what does Megaways actually mean, how are the ways to win calculated and does having more Megaways give you a better chance of winning? Here’s how the mechanic works.

What Is Megaways?

Megaways is a slot mechanic originally developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG). It has since been used across numerous slot games and by different game developers.

The defining characteristic of Megaways is its variable reel system. Rather than displaying a fixed number of symbols on each reel during every spin, the number of symbols can change.

A reel might display three symbols on one spin and six on the next, for example. The same process can happen independently across the other reels.

Because the number of symbols in play changes, so does the number of potential ways to win. This creates the constantly changing “Megaways” figure commonly displayed above or below the reels.

Megaways shouldn’t be thought of as one particular type of slot theme or bonus feature. It is the underlying reel mechanic, and developers can combine it with many different themes, features and mathematical models.

How Does the Megaways Mechanic Work?

A typical Megaways game uses multiple reels with a changing number of visible symbols.

Imagine a six-reel Megaways slot produces the following reel heights on one spin:

3 × 5 × 4 × 6 × 3 × 7

Multiplying these numbers together gives 7,560 possible ways for that particular configuration.

On the next spin, the reels might display:

6 × 2 × 5 × 4 × 7 × 3

That produces 5,040 possible ways.

These are illustrative examples, as the precise reel configurations and rules vary between Megaways games. However, they demonstrate the fundamental idea: as the number of symbols displayed on the reels changes, the number of available ways changes too.

Why Do the Reels Change in Megaways Slots?

Changing reel heights are what make the Megaways mechanic distinctive.

Many traditional online slots use a consistent grid. A five-reel, three-row slot, for example, will usually display 15 symbol positions on each spin.

Megaways slots can instead expand and contract their reels. One reel might contain only a few visible symbols while the reel next to it contains considerably more.

This dynamic layout means the number of possible winning combinations can vary from spin to spin.

Importantly, a higher number of Megaways doesn’t guarantee a winning result. The figure describes the number of possible ways available under that particular reel configuration rather than promising that one of those ways will produce a win.

What Does “Ways to Win” Mean in Megaways?

Traditional slot machines often use paylines. To produce a win, matching symbols need to appear in particular positions along one of those predefined lines.

Many Megaways games instead use a ways-to-win system.

Winning combinations can generally be formed when matching symbols appear across consecutive reels according to the rules of the game, without needing to follow one specific payline. Multiple instances of the same symbol across those reels can create multiple winning ways.

For example, imagine a qualifying symbol appears twice on the first reel, three times on the second and twice on the third. The different combinations of those symbols can potentially create several ways involving the same symbol.

The precise requirements depend on the particular slot, so players should always check the game’s paytable and rules.

How Many Ways to Win Can Megaways Slots Have?

One of the numbers most closely associated with Megaways is 117,649 ways to win.

In the familiar six-reel configuration where each reel can display up to seven symbols, the maximum is calculated as:

7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649

However, 117,649 isn’t a universal rule for every Megaways slot. Different implementations can use different layouts and maximum numbers of ways.

It’s also important to understand the phrase “up to”. A game capable of producing 117,649 ways doesn’t necessarily provide that number on every spin.

The actual number can change according to the reel configuration generated for that particular spin.

If you’d like to explore some of the different ways developers have used the mechanic, our guide to The Best Megaways Slots for Big Winning Potential looks at a selection of Megaways titles and their individual features.

Megaways vs Standard Slots: What’s the Difference?

Megaways and more traditional slots can both offer a wide range of themes and features, but their reel structures can be very different.

“Traditional” or “standard” slots cover a huge number of different formats, so these differences won’t apply to every game.

Megaways should therefore be viewed as a different slot structure rather than an inherently better version of a standard slot.

Do Megaways Slots Use Cascading Reels?

Cascading reels are commonly associated with Megaways, but they are a separate slot mechanic.

When a cascade occurs, symbols involved in a winning combination can be removed from the reels. Symbols above them then move down to fill the empty positions, with new symbols entering the available spaces.

If the resulting arrangement creates another qualifying win, another cascade may occur. Depending on the game’s rules, this process can continue until no new winning combination is formed.

This allows one initial spin to potentially generate a sequence of results.

Cascades aren’t exclusive to Megaways and aren’t what makes a slot a Megaways game. Our guide to what cascading reels are in online slots explains how this feature works across different slot formats.

What Bonus Features Are Common in Megaways Slots?

The Megaways mechanic can be combined with many of the same bonus features found elsewhere in online slots.

Depending on the title, these might include free spins, scatters, wild symbols, retriggers, mystery symbols and dedicated bonus rounds.

The changing reel configuration can remain active during these features, while some games introduce additional mechanics specifically for their bonus rounds.

However, there isn’t one standard set of Megaways bonus features. Two games using the same underlying reel mechanic can offer completely different bonus structures.

If you’re unfamiliar with some of these terms, our Slot Bonus Features: Free Spins, Scatters, Super Scatters & Bonus Games guide explains the most common features and what they do.

How Do Multipliers Work in Megaways Slots?

Multipliers are another feature frequently combined with Megaways games.

A multiplier increases the value of a qualifying win by a specified amount. A 3x multiplier, for example, multiplies the relevant win by three.

Some Megaways slots link multipliers to cascading wins. The multiplier might increase as additional cascades occur, particularly during a free spins feature. Other games use completely different multiplier systems.

This is why players shouldn’t assume that the multiplier rules from one Megaways slot will apply to another.

Our guide to what multipliers are in online slots looks more closely at the different ways this feature can be incorporated into slot gameplay.

Do Megaways Slots Have Free Spins?

Free spins are common in Megaways slots, but they aren’t an essential part of the Megaways mechanic itself.

Depending on the game, free spins may be triggered by landing a particular number of scatter symbols or completing another specified requirement.

Once triggered, the free spins round might introduce additional features. These could include increasing multipliers, modified symbols or different reel behaviour.

Other Megaways slots may take a different approach entirely.

Always check the rules of the individual game to understand how its free spins are triggered and what changes during the feature.

Does Having More Megaways Mean You Are More Likely to Win?

Seeing a large Megaways number can look impressive, but it shouldn’t automatically be interpreted as better odds.

A higher number means that the current reel configuration provides more possible ways for symbols to form qualifying combinations according to the game’s rules.

However, the number of ways is only one part of a slot’s mathematical model.

Symbol probabilities, payout values, bonus mechanics and numerous other factors can influence how the game operates. A spin displaying the maximum possible number of Megaways can still produce no win at all.

Likewise, fewer active Megaways doesn’t mean a spin cannot produce a winning combination.

The Megaways counter should therefore be understood as a description of the current reel configuration, not a prediction of what the spin will pay.

Do Megaways Affect RTP or Volatility?

Megaways describes a reel mechanic rather than a specific RTP or volatility level.

RTP, or Return to Player, represents a game’s theoretical long-term return according to its mathematical model. Volatility describes the general pattern of wins, including how frequently and how significantly results may vary.

Two Megaways games can therefore have different RTP percentages and different volatility profiles.

The number of active Megaways on a particular spin also shouldn’t be confused with the game’s overall theoretical return.

If you’d like to understand these differences in more detail, our RTP, Variance & Volatility: How to Choose a Slot That’s Right for You guide explains how each concept affects the characteristics of an online slot.

Are All Megaways Slots the Same?

No. Megaways provides an underlying mechanic that developers can build around in different ways.

Individual games can have different reel configurations, maximum ways to win, symbols, RTP percentages, volatility levels and bonus features.

Some use cascading reels and increasing multipliers extensively, while others place greater emphasis on wilds, free spins or other features.

Themes can also range considerably, meaning two Megaways slots can look and feel very different despite sharing the same fundamental variable-reel concept.

Understanding how Megaways works gives you a useful starting point, but checking the rules and game information for each individual title remains important.

Megaways FAQs

What does Megaways mean in slots?

Megaways is a slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming that uses changing reel configurations. The number of visible symbols can vary between spins, which can change the number of possible ways to win.

Do Megaways slots always have 117,649 ways to win?

No. While 117,649 is a well-known maximum associated with a common six-reel Megaways configuration, the maximum number depends on the individual game. Even a game capable of reaching 117,649 ways may provide fewer ways on individual spins.

Are Megaways slots better than standard slots?

Not necessarily. Megaways and traditional slots use different structures, and neither format guarantees better results. Megaways games may appeal to players who enjoy changing reel layouts and variable ways to win, while other players may prefer slots with fixed reels or paylines.

When you choose NetBet Casino, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality slots. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet Casino, player well-being is our number one priority – check out our Safer Gambling tips and tools page for more information.