Megaways slots are a popular alternative to regular slots. Big Time Gaming's innovative random reel modifier mechanic is at the heart of all Megaways games. The Megaways mechanic changes the reel layout on every spin to create varying ways to win. In regular slots, you must match symbols in specific positions to win a prize instead. But Megaways slots pay out for three or more identical symbols anywhere on adjacent reels.
Regular slots also feature the same number of symbols on each reel and use preset paylines. That provides a simpler but more restrictive playing style. Because Megaways slots differ so much from regular slots, beginners may find them overwhelming. But they're easier to understand and play than you might expect. Learning the main differences between regular slots and Megaways slots will help you choose the right games for you.
How Do Megaways Slots Work?
Megaways games use random reel modifier technology to keep symbol layouts varied. You never know how many symbols will land on the reels each time you hit the 'spin' button. Some reels may hold two symbols, and others might have seven. Some Megaways games also have a horizontal reel alongside the standard vertical reels. For example, the Extra Chilli Megaways screenshot below shows a horizontal reel below the six-reel grid.
Symbols on the horizontal reel spin from right to left instead of vertically. Horizontal reels add extra symbols to three or more reels to increase the winning ways. Regular slots often have basic bonuses and modest prizes. Megaways slots, by contrast, include more complex features and bigger payouts. For example, Max Megaways 3 has free spins with modifiers and a top prize of 101,830x your bet.
Paylines vs Ways to Win
Regular slots and Megaways slots award wins differently.
➥ Paylines
Regular slots use paylines that cover multiple positions across the reels. One payline may include positions along the top of the reels. Another may cover alternating positions across multiple rows.
When you spin the reels, a random selection of symbols will land across the reels. Match three or more symbols on any payline to win a prize shown on the paytable. For example, you may win 5x your bet for 3 bells along the top of reels 1, 2, and 3. But the same number of symbols will appear on the grid on every spin.
➥ Ways to Win
Ways to win in Megaways slots are dynamic and unpredictable. You can create winning combinations by matching identical symbols anywhere on consecutive reels. Most Megaways games pay out for winning combinations that run from left to right (starting at reel 1). But some Megaways slots also pay for right-to-left combinations (see 'Both Ways Pays').
You can build winning combinations by landing identical symbols anywhere on consecutive reels. The number of symbols on the reels always varies.
Megaways slots' changing symbol layout makes the number of ways to win unpredictable from spin to spin. The current number of ways to win is shown next to or above the reels.
You can calculate the ways to win by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel.
- Reel 1: 7 symbols
- Reel 2: 4 symbols
- Reel 3: 2 symbols
- Reel 4: 3 symbols
- Reel 5: 6 symbols
- Reel 6: 3 symbols
- Ways to win: 7 x 4 x 2 x 3 x 6 x 3 = 3,024
Landing 7 symbols on all 6 reels makes 117,649 ways to win, which is the maximum in many Megaways games.
But certain Megaways games offer more than one million ways to win. In 1 Million Megaways BC, the Mammoth Reel active during free spins makes 1,058,841 ways to win. Always check the maximum number of ways to win before you play a Megaways slot.
What Bonus Features Do Megaways Slots Offer?
Every Megaways slot includes at least one bonus feature. They can help you win in different ways.
➥ Cascading Reels
Cascading reels remove all symbols in a winning combination and bring new symbols into play. They are integral to Megaways games. Symbols already on the reels drop down to fill empty spaces during cascades. New symbols fall in from the top to fill any remaining empty positions. Fresh winning combinations may form as the symbols realign.
Cascades can award multiple wins in any one spin. Cascade sequences continue until no new symbol matches appear.
➥ Free Spins
Most Megaways slots include a free spins feature. Free spins are automated: they spin the reels without taking a bet. Triggering a free spins round with 10 spins gives you 10 unpaid chances to win. Any winning combinations you achieve pay out as they would in the normal (or 'base') game. Some free spins features include other bonuses or modifiers to help you win. In Max Megaways 3, the modifiers include bonus Wild symbols and extra spins.
A Wild symbol can stand in for other symbols to create winning combinations. For example, landing two lemons and one Wild on a payline is the same as matching three lemons. Bonus Wild symbols offer extra opportunities to complete winning combinations during free spins. Free spins features usually start when certain symbols hit the reels. Landing three or four Scatter symbols is the most common trigger. Scatter symbols take effect wherever they land, even if they're scattered far apart.
You don't need three Scatters on a payline to launch free spins. However, Scatters might only activate a feature if they land on specific reels. Always read the feature rules before you start spinning to understand the requirements.
➥ Bonus Buys
Megaways games often allow you to trigger a bonus feature for a set price. You may pay for the feature instead of waiting for an usual trigger (e.g., three Scatters). Players usually buy bonuses because they don't want to wait for dozens or hundreds of spins. Paying the purchase price may cost less than playing the base game until the feature unlocks.
‼️ Bonus buys are unavailable in some countries. The Gambling Commission of Great Britain, for example, banned bonus buys in 2019. No slots at licensed online casinos in Great Britain offer paid features.
➥ Both Ways Pays
Most regular and Megaways games award payouts for winning combinations that land from left to right. But some Megaways games use a 'both ways pay' system. Slots that pay both ways award wins for left-to-right and right-to-left combinations. Winning combinations must start from either the leftmost or rightmost reel to pay out.
➥ Three types of Multipliers
Multipliers are a common part of Megaways games. They increase the size of any payouts that they apply to. An x2 multiplier, for instance, will double the size of a win.
Multipliers may trigger when particular symbols appear or during bonus features. A free spins round can include one or more multipliers.
1. Static Multipliers
Static multipliers don't change once applied. They may last for an entire bonus round or a certain number of spins.
2. Progressive Multipliers
Progressive multipliers grow while you play. They may increase in size with each winning cascade but reset between spins. In some cases, progressive multipliers grow throughout entire features.
3. Multiplier Symbols
Multiplier symbols (such as Wilds) carry a specific multiplier (e.g., x3). A multiplier symbol multiplies a win by the value shown when it features in a winning combination.
What are the RTP and Volatility in Megaways Slots?
Megaways slots typically offer an average RTP with above-average volatility. The RTP represents the return on bets that a game should provide over time as a percentage. A 96% RTP indicates a $96.00 return for every $100 wagered.
Some Megaways titles have an RTP above or below the 96% slot average. However, RTP is rarely below 94%. Buying bonuses may increase or decrease the theoretical RTP for the feature's duration.
Developers calculate slot RTPs over millions of simulated spins across a long period. The percentage provided is not a guarantee. Actual returns per gaming session may be higher or lower than the RTP shown.
Volatility determines the frequency and size of slot payouts. There are three types:
- Low volatility means a slot awards small prizes regularly. The max win is likely to be modest.
- Medium volatility slots can pay out frequently. Some offer generous prizes.
- High volatility slots award prizes less often, but they can be impressive.
The higher the volatility, the higher the risk of long stretches without wins. Beginners usually play low-volatility slots to reduce their risk of losses. But seasoned players may choose highly volatile slots for a chance to win bigger prizes.
Always check the RTP and volatility of a Megaways game before you play. Consider your betting budget carefully.
How to Play Megaways Slots
Learning how to play Megaways games is easier than ever. Reputable online casinos offer hundreds of Megaways releases to choose from. Start slow and take careful steps to get the most out of your playing time:
1. Find the right Megaways slot for you: Browse the range of Megaways games available at your chosen casino carefully instead of loading the first one that catches your eye. Check out the RTP, the bet limits, and other key details. You can take your pick of themes, whether you want an adventurous title like Gonzo's Quest Megaways or something with a darker edge, such as Blood Suckers Megaways.
2. Choose your starting bet: Setting the correct stake for your bankroll and personal wagering limit is crucial. The default bet may be higher than your usual starting stake, so check before diving in. You can change your bet with a quick button tap between paid spins.
3. Browse the paytable: Before playing any Megaways slot, take a few minutes to explore the paytable. This should include a complete list of the paying symbols and their values as well as information on the features, RTP, and payouts.
4. Start spinning: When you're satisfied with your starting stake and you've checked the paytable, it's time to hit the spin button. The reels will roll, and a random number of ways to win will apply depending on how many symbols land.
5. Watch out for bonuses: If you manage to trigger bonus features through a certain combination of symbols, or they activate randomly, the gameplay will change. You may get increasing multipliers, respins, free spins, or various other bonuses.
6. Organise your bankroll carefully: Set a limit for your spending before you start playing any Megaways game. Only gamble what you can afford to lose, and keep track of your bankroll to avoid running out of funds sooner than expected. Various responsible-gaming tools and resources are available for players who struggle to control their spending.
Megaways Slots vs Regular Slots
Regular slots and Megaways slots have several major differences:
| Design & Features | Regular Slots | Megaways Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Paylines | Feature a small number of fixed paylines. Symbols must land in specific positions to pay out. | Offer thousands or millions of ways to win. Symbol matches on adjacent reels pay out. |
| Layout | Fixed grid arrangement (e.g., 5x3). | Dynamic layout. Reels often contain two to seven symbols. |
| Bonuses | Bonus features are often basic and few. Free spins are common. | Bonus features tend to be more complex and work together. |
| Volatility | Volatility ranges from low to high. Low and medium volatility are common. | Volatility leans higher. Medium and low volatility are less common. |
| Max Payout Potential | Typically between 500x and 5,000x your bet. | Generally higher potential, frequently up to 50,000x or more. |
| Ways to Win | Usually between 10 and 50 fixed paylines. | Varies per spin, often up to 117,649+ ways to win. |
Consider the contrasts between regular slots and Megaways games with care. Explore reviews written by iGaming experts for guidance on choosing titles that suit your experience level.
Never played any type of slot before? Start with a classic 3x3 slot with low volatility and tiny bets. Learn how paylines, volatility, and payouts work. Only switch to Megaways slots when you feel comfortable with the different structure.
What Slot Mechanics are Inspired By Megaways?
In 2016, Big Time Gaming’s innovative Megaways mechanic brought players a fresh, exciting experience. Other iGaming studios took note. And now, various software companies offer their own competing variable-ways engine.
Each engine creates unpredictable layouts in a distinctive way.
- Infinity Reels: ReelPlay’s Infinity Reels mechanic introduces a new reel after each winning combination hits. The grid may start small, but it can expand to add more winning ways without limits.
- xWays: Nolimit City’s xWays mechanic revolves around special xWays symbols. As xWays symbols land, they reveal random symbols that expand and boost the ways to win.
- MegaClusters: Big Time Gaming’s post-Megaways mechanic splits winning symbols into four smaller symbols. The new symbols can make new wins and trigger chain reactions, increasing the prize potential of any spin.
Each mechanic varies the number of ways to win, delivering an engaging, unpredictable, and dynamic player experience. However, only Big Time Gaming-licensed slots can use the Megaways branding.
Best Strategies for Playing Megaways?
Strategies may be more commonly associated with poker and roulette, but given the unpredictability and volatility of Megaways games, having a clear approach before you play makes a real difference.
- Prioritise slots with a generous RTP: Return to Player (RTP) rates represent the theoretical percentage a slot pays back over time. The average is around 96%. Go for games with a high RTP for the best long-run potential. Blood Suckers Megaways, for example, has an RTP of 97.66%.
- Understand where the RTP actually lives: Many Megaways slots concentrate their RTP into bonus rounds and free spins rather than the base game. A Megaways slot and a classic slot can share an identical 96.5% RTP yet play very differently, the classic slot returns smaller amounts more frequently, while the Megaways variant stores more value into rarer bonus hits. Always check whether the quoted RTP is the overall figure or the base-game figure.
- Bankroll sizing matters more in Megaways than in regular slots: On a high-volatility Megaways game, you might see nothing useful for 80–100 spins and then a large bonus, or nothing at all. A small bankroll is fragile in this format. Reducing your bet size is more important here than it is on lower-volatility games.
- Remember volatility when setting your betting limit: Choose a reasonable wagering limit and stop yourself before you exceed it. Keep your bets low to avoid running through your allocated funds too quickly.
- The number of ways to win doesn't tell you how often you'll win: A game with 50,000 ways to win may still behave exactly like one with 500, depending on its underlying variance. The ways-to-win figure is not a guide to hit frequency.
- Take advantage of Megaways demos: Play a demo before spending real money. Demos let you test the gameplay, volatility, and features with virtual credits, giving you a clear picture of how the slot behaves with no financial risk.
- Consider bonus features when choosing a game: Bonus features can have a big impact on your experience. Check what's available before you start — a slot with a feature that suits your playing style can transform an otherwise average game into one you'll want to return to.
- Seek out the highest RTP titles: White Rabbit Megaways by Big Time Gaming has an RTP of 97.72%, while Medusa Megaways and Return of Kong Megaways both exceed 97%. Note that on some titles this higher rate is only reached when the bonus buy feature is used.
- Be careful with bonus buy: The bonus buy option lets you skip straight to a bonus round, but it's expensive and should only be used when you have sufficient bankroll to absorb the cost without disrupting your session budget.
Megaways FAQ
Here are quick answers to three common Megaways questions.
How Do I Trigger Free Spins in Megaways Slots?
In most Megaways slots, free spins are triggered by landing a set number of scatter symbols, typically four or more, anywhere on the reels during a paid spin. In Bonanza Megaways, you must land four scatters spelling G-O-L-D. Some titles also allow free spins via symbol collection, a random in-game event, or by purchasing direct access through the bonus buy feature. The number of free spins awarded usually ranges from 8 to 15, with the option to retrigger more during the feature.
What Was the First Megaways Slot?
The first Megaways slot was Big Time Gaming's Dragon Born, released in early 2016. But Bonanza Megaways brought the Megaways mechanic to wider attention later in the same year.
Which Megaways Slot Has the Highest RTP?
Among widely available Megaways titles, White Rabbit Megaways by Big Time Gaming leads with an RTP of 97.72%. Medusa Megaways and Return of Kong Megaways both exceed 97%, while Blood Suckers Megaways offers 97.66%. It's worth noting that on some titles, the headline RTP figure is only achieved when using the bonus buy feature — always check both the overall and base-game RTP before playing.