Megaways online slot machines use a dynamic reel system where the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin. This revolutionary mechanic was created by Big Time Gaming and has transformed how modern slots create winning combinations. Rather than using fixed paylines, Megaways slots can generate anywhere from 324 to 117,649 different ways to win on a single spin. To help you understand how this unique reel technology works, we’ll explain exactly how Megaways determines symbol combinations. We also provide examples of various Megaways slot machines available, and introduce you to free play demos so you can test Megaways slots at no cost.
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How do Megaways Slots Create Symbol Combinations?
Let’s take a 3-symbol combination win using three diamond symbols as an example. With Megaways, each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. As long as there is a diamond symbol anywhere on reels 1, 2, and 3, the slot will register this as a 3-symbol payout. Why? Because Megaways slots use the same adjacent reel technology found in standard ways to win games, but with a dynamic twist. The three diamond symbols in this example are on 3 separate reels that are next to each other. That’s all the game needs to verify a winning combination.
Notice that we emphasize the fact that the diamond symbol can be ‘anywhere’ on its respective reel, which means the positioning of the symbol is irrelevant when calculating winning payouts on Megaways slots.
One additional point we left out, to keep the above example simple, is that the first symbol in a winning Megaways combination must begin on reel 1. Also, to line up a combination win, there can be no gaps between the reels. That is, if the same 3 diamond symbols are on reels 1-2-4, due to the absence of a diamond symbol on reel 3, this is either a 2-symbol win or no win at all.
For example, you can land the following combination wins on Megaways slots:
- 2-Symbol Megaways Combination Win = Same symbols on reels 1-2
- 3-Symbol Megaways Combination Win = Same symbols on reels 1-2-3
- 4-Symbol Megaways Combination Win = Same symbols on reels 1-2-3-4
- 5-Symbol Megaways Combination Win = Same symbols on reels 1-2-3-4-5
- 6-Symbol Megaways Combination Win = Same symbols on reels 1-2-3-4-5-6
One more point worth noting now you understand how the Megaways reel mechanic works is that typically, the symbols must line up from left to right. If you already noticed this in our explanation above, that’s going to make understanding pay both ways Megaways online slots easier for you.
Megaways Slot Machine Player Strategy
There is no guaranteed winning strategy that guarantees a profit when playing Megaways slot or pokie games. You can help yourself by using sensible bankroll management and bet sizing, while there are other tactics you can use. For example, a strategy many players prefer is spin and bank.
That is, setting a 100.00 budget for a session and using, for example, 0.20 spin bet sizes. That gives you 500 spins, and all you do is bank your winnings. In other words, spin 500 times and do not reinvest the winnings from your session. It is a sensible low-budget bet size that provides a good hour or so spinning the reels, depending on how feature-rich the game is.
- No standard minimum spin bet: Since Megaways slots have variable reel positions, software providers cannot add a fixed bet per line. As a result, you will find that Megaways slot games can come with varying minimum bets, which could be 0.10 to 0.50 per spin or higher, depending on the game.
- No standard RTP or Variance/Volatility: The dynamic nature of Megaways means that variance and volatility are determined by the game’s feature richness and the developer’s design. The same applies to the RTP.
| Megaways Type | Reel Set Up | RTP / Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Megaways | 6 Reels with 2-7 Symbols Per Reel (6 reels variable) |
90% up to 98% (Low to High) |
| Megaways with Extra Reel | 6 Reels + Horizontal Tracker (Up to 117,649 ways) |
90% up to 98% (Low to High) |
| Megaquads | Dual Reel Sets (Up to 16,777,216 ways) |
90% up to 98% (Medium to High) |
Comparison: Bonanza Megaways is a classic 117,649 ways slot with high variance and a 96% RTP, while some newer Megaways games offer slightly higher or lower RTPs. Therefore, the maximum number of Megaways doesn’t always directly correlate with the RTP.
Test Megaways Slots Via Free Play Demos
We’ve selected the most popular Megaways slot machines and added three demo versions for each. Each of the games below uses free play money, so you can test the games out for yourself without risking any real money. Open each game and take the time to study the pay table, where on one of the pages you will find an explanation of how the Megaways mechanic determines symbol combination wins. Once you are fully up to speed with how the game works, spin the reels and get a feel for how each Megaways variant operates.
Global Gaming Awards Casino Product of the Year
One Megaways slot has stood out in the awards ceremonies, and that is Red Tiger Gaming’s Gonzo’s Quest Megaways. Although the award was won back in 2021, that still doesn’t take any of the prestige away from this popular game, which is part of a series, include online slots and live casino games.
Award Winning Slot: Gonzo’s Quest Megaways won the Game of the Year in 2021 at the Global Gaming Awards.
Pragmatic Play Buffalo King Megaways
Buffalo King Megaways by Pragmatic Play is a high-volatility slot that takes you to the wild American plains, where cascading symbols and up to 200,704 ways to win deliver massive potential through multipliers and free-spin chains. There are three slot machines in the series, starting with Buffalo King 4,096 Ways to Win, followed by two Megaways slot/pokie titles below.
Pragmatic Play Software Provider: Find out more about the software provider and its games via our Casinoplusbonus Pragmatic Play review.
Jackpot Slots With Megaways
Jackpot Slots with Megaways combine the thrill of progressive or fixed jackpots with the dynamic reel system that can produce thousands of ways to win. These games take entertainment to the next level, offering huge potential payouts through cascading wins, multipliers, and bonus rounds that can trigger life-changing prizes.
Progressive Jackpot Slot: Our fully comprehensive Casinoplusbonus guide to Networked Progressive Jackpots and Stand-Alone Progressive Jackpots guide provides you with more entertaining jackpot games and networks.
More Suggested Megaways Slots & Pokes To Try
The world of Megaways slots extends far beyond the classics. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of Megaways pokies featuring everything from mythological adventures to candy-filled fun, each offering up to 117,649 ways to win and exciting bonus rounds.
Megaways Slot and Pokie Bonus Deals
If you spend some time browsing our in-depth iGaming portal, you will notice that we have put together a large number of bonus offers into lists. We cover several different types of bonuses, and many apply to online slot games. There are free spins bonuses that include payline, ways to win, and Megaways slot games. Alternatively, you may prefer to claim a no deposit bonus deal that gives you a free bonus balance valid to be played on payline, ways to win, Megaways, and other slot games.
Slot and Pokie Bonus Rules Explained: If you are new to online casino bonuses, then we advise that before you claim a bonus deal, take a quick look at our guide to bonus rules. These rules help you increase your chances of converting bonus money into real money!
Are Megaways Slots For You?
Megaways slots give you a completely different way of lining up symbol combinations compared to classic payline slots, pay anywhere, and cluster pay games. Whether it’s 324 ways on a minimum spin or up to 117,649 ways on a maximum configuration, the same dynamic principle stays in place.
Symbols on adjacent reels form the win, no matter where they sit on each reel. Add in the dynamic reel structure where every spin can produce a different number of ways, plus features like cascading symbols and free spins, and you have a reel mechanic that creates highly variable gameplay.
If you enjoy experimenting with new reel mechanic formats, testing free demos is the simplest way to determine if Megaways games align with your playing style. As for RTPs, volatility, and bet sizing, the best way to find out how each game combines these variables is to play the demo slots.
After a while, you’ll have a list of your top go-to Megaways slots and pokies that suit your budget, RTP preferences, and preferred gameplay style, whether that’s games with high volatility paying out larger wins via features or those with medium volatility offering more frequent payouts.
| Software Provider Demo Games | Licensing Certificates Held | Countries Available |
|---|---|---|
| Big Time Gaming Megaways Demo Slots | UKGC / MGA | UK, IE, CA, NZ, SA, IN |
| Red Tiger Megaways Demo Slots | UKGC / MGA | UK, IE, CA, NZ, SA, IN |
| Blueprint Gaming All Demo Slots |
UKGC / MGA / AGCO | UK, IE, CA, NZ, SA, IN |
| Pragmatic Play All Demo Slots | UKGC / MGA / AGCO | UK, IE, CA, NZ, SA, IN |
| Relax Gaming All Demo Slots | UKGC / MGA | UK, IE, CA, NZ, SA, IN |
Alternative reel mechanics: We also cover online slots and pokies that use paylines, ways to win, Megaways, cluster pays, and pay anywhere reel mechanics. To see what’s available in the world of iGaming, take a look at our ‘Slot Machine Reel Mechanics‘ guide.
Megaways Slot Machine FAQ
Do Megaways slots pay out more than standard ways to win slots?
Not necessarily. While Megaways can produce up to 117,649 ways to win, all online video slot machines are governed by a complex mathematical algorithm that adheres to a set return-to-player percentage. This matters because a Megaways slot could have a 95% RTP, while a standard 243-ways-to-win slot might have a 97% RTP. As a result, the answer is no because Megaways slots do not necessarily pay out more than fixed-ways-to-win or even payline slots and police games for that matter.
Can I change the number of Megaways when playing online slots?
No. The number of symbols on each reel changes randomly with every spin, which determines the total ways to win for that particular spin. Unlike some payline slot games, where you can select the number of active lines, Megaways uses a fully dynamic system that cannot be manually adjusted by the player.
Do Megaways slots have better odds than standard Ways to Win slots?
Not necessarily. Both formats use different mechanics to create symbol combinations, but payouts are governed by each game’s set return-to-player percentage. One Megaways title might offer 96% RTP, while a 1,024 Ways to Win game could sit slightly higher or lower, depending on the provider.
Can I use casino bonus spins on Megaways slot machines?
Yes, most free spin deals are linked to specific games, and many providers choose popular Megaways titles for promotions. Always check the bonus terms first, as some offers limit spins to certain slot types or exclude jackpot and high-variance titles.
Do Megaways slots pay both ways?
No. We cannot recall a Megaways online slot that pays both ways. However, if one is released, we’ll be sure to highlight it in our weekly news games report, available on our casino games news page, as well as every week on the Casinoplusbonus homepage news columns.
How many paylines does a Megaways slot have?
Megaways slots don’t use traditional paylines. Instead, they use a dynamic reel system that can display 2-7 symbols per spin. The standard configuration can produce anywhere from 324 to 117,649 different ways to win on a single spin. The exact number changes with every spin based on how many symbols appear on each reel.
Who invented Megaways slots?
Megaways was created and trademarked by Big Time Gaming (BTG) in 2016. While BTG developed the original mechanic, it has since been licensed to numerous other game providers, which is why you’ll find Megaways slots from companies like Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, and many others.
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