The Ultimate Guide to Megaways Slots
Megaways slots are games where the number of symbols on each reel changes every spin, so the number of ways to win changes too. Instead of fixed paylines, matching symbols pay when they land on adjacent reels, and a six reel Megaways game can offer up to 117,649 ways to win.
Megaways is the mechanic that turned the slot reel into a moving target. Instead of a fixed grid with set paylines, a Megaways slot reshuffles how many symbols each reel shows on every single spin, so the number of ways to win is different each time and can climb into the hundreds of thousands. It powers some of the most popular slots around, and this guide explains exactly how it works, warts and all.
- Megaways reels change how many symbols they show on every spin. The ways to win change with them.
- Wins form on adjacent reels, not fixed lines. The ways equal the symbol counts on each reel multiplied together.
- A six reel game tops out at 117,649 ways when every reel lands the maximum of seven symbols.
- They are usually high volatility. Big wins are possible but rare, so they suit patient players with a budget to match.
What are Megaways slots?
Megaways slots are slots where the number of symbols on each reel varies from spin to spin, which changes the number of ways to win each time. The mechanic was created by the Australian studio Big Time Gaming, first appearing in the slot Dragon Born in 2015, and it reshaped how modern slots are built.
Because Big Time Gaming patented and trademarked the system, other studios have to license it, which is why you now see Megaways versions of popular slots from many different makers. Under the surface they all work the same way, using a random reel modifier to change the grid on every spin, driven by the same random number generator behind any slot. Our guide to how online slots work covers that engine.
How do Megaways ways to win work?
In a Megaways game, matching symbols pay whenever they land on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost one, regardless of their row, and the total ways to win equal the symbol counts on each reel multiplied together. There are no fixed paylines to line up, which is the big break from a traditional slot.
Most Megaways slots have six reels, and each reel can show between two and seven symbols on any given spin. Multiply those six numbers and you get the ways to win for that spin. When every reel lands the maximum of seven symbols, you get seven to the power of six, which is the famous 117,649 ways. The calculator below lets you build a spin and see the count change.
Megaways features: cascades and big multipliers
Most Megaways slots pair the variable reels with two extra features: cascading reels and a rising win multiplier. Winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in to fill the gaps, which can chain several wins from a single spin, while the multiplier climbs with each cascade.
That multiplier is usually where the biggest wins come from, especially in the free spins round, where on many Megaways games it has no upper limit. These extras are not unique to Megaways, they are common building blocks across modern slots, and our guide to slot bonus features explains each one.
The RTP and volatility of Megaways slots
Megaways slots are typically high volatility, with an RTP that varies from game to game, so big wins are possible but they arrive rarely. The huge ways-to-win counts make a game feel generous, but they do not change the long-run maths behind it.
Because they swing hard, Megaways games suit players who can sit through long dry spells for a shot at a large multiplier. It is worth checking a specific game's RTP on its review before you play, and getting a feel for slot volatility and slot RTP in general helps you know what to expect from any of them.
Are Megaways slots worth playing?
Megaways slots are worth playing if you enjoy high variance and the chance of a large top prize, but the same volatility means they can drain a bankroll quickly, so they are not for everyone. Like any slot, they are entertainment first, with the odds set by the RNG rather than the ways-to-win number.
If you want to try them, stick to a licensed casino and a budget you are happy to lose, and starting with the well-known originals is a sensible move. If the high variance is not for you, our wider guide to the best online slots in Canada covers gentler options too.