Megaways Slots: How Megaways Work
Megaways slots change the number of symbols on each reel every spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win. Browse Megaways games below and learn how this popular mechanic works.
What Is Megaways?
Megaways is a slot mechanic created by Big Time Gaming and first used in 2016. It is licensed to many other game studios. On every spin, each reel shows a random number of symbols – typically between two and seven. Multiply the number of symbols on each reel and you get the number of ways to win on that spin.
How the Ways Are Calculated
| Symbols per reel (6 reels) | Ways to win |
|---|---|
| 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 | 64 |
| 4 × 5 × 3 × 6 × 4 × 5 | 7,200 |
| 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 | 117,649 |
Wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, wherever they appear on each reel.
Common Megaways Features
- Cascading reels – winning symbols are removed and replaced, allowing multiple wins per spin.
- Extra horizontal reel – a top reel above the main reels that adds more symbols.
- Increasing multipliers – often growing with every cascade during free spins.
- Mystery symbols – symbols that transform into the same random symbol.
Are Megaways Slots Worth Playing?
Megaways slots are exciting and can deliver very large wins, but most are high volatility: long losing runs are normal. Choose a stake that gives you enough spins, check the RTP and play the demo first. See our slot reviews for Megaways games and their stats.
Megaways vs Classic Paylines
| Megaways | Classic payline slot | |
|---|---|---|
| Ways to win | Changes every spin, up to 117,649 | Fixed, e.g. 10 or 20 lines |
| Reel layout | Variable reel heights | Fixed grid, e.g. 5×3 |
| Typical volatility | High | Low to high |
| Common features | Cascades, growing multipliers | Free spins, wilds |
Popular Megaways Themes and Mechanics
The Megaways engine has been applied to almost every theme – adventure, mythology, fishing, fruit machines and remakes of classic slots. Many studios release "Megaways versions" of their best-known games. Look for features such as unlimited win multipliers during free spins, extra reels that add more ways, and symbol upgrades that turn low-paying symbols into premium ones.
Tips for Playing Megaways
- Expect frequent small wins from cascades but long gaps between big ones.
- Check whether free spins can be retriggered and how the multiplier grows.
- Use the demo to get a feel for the game's rhythm before playing for real.
- Keep stakes modest – Megaways slots can drain a budget quickly on a cold run.
Megaways is a slot mechanic in which the number of symbols on each reel changes every spin, creating a varying number of ways to win – up to 117,649.
Megaways was created by Big Time Gaming and is licensed to many other slot developers.
Most are. They can produce big wins but often have long runs without significant payouts.
It changes every spin. Most Megaways slots range from a few hundred to 117,649 ways, depending on how many symbols land on each reel.