Want to learn how one of online slots’ hottest mechanics works? Read our complete Megaways slots explained guide. Megaways slots are completely different to your typical spin-the-reels-and-match-the-scatters style of online slot game. They’re constructed differently, they play differently, and they pay out differently.
The Problem…
Players start playing Megaways slots without understanding how the mechanic works. That’s a big problem because knowing how Megaways slots work before you play gives you the upper hand.
We cover everything you need to know below.
Megaways Slots Explained: Table of Contents
- What Are Megaways Slots?
- How Does the Megaways Mechanic Work?
- Key Features Beginner’s Should Know
- Best Megaways Slots
- Tips For Playing Megaways Slots
What Are Megaways Slots?
If you’re new to online slots then knowing what are Megaways slots is where we start. Megaways slots refer to a group of online slot games that use a unique reel modifier engine developed by Aussie studio Big Time Gaming (BTG).
Instead of traditional paylines Megaways slots have multiple symbols per reel that change with each spin.
Effectively, they have a fluctuating number of ways to win that increase with each pull of the lever.
Why? More on that below.
The Megaways slot engine first appeared in 2016 when Big Time Gaming released Bonanza, a gold rush-themed Megaways slot that caught the eyes (and reels) of players around the world. Since then more than 30 game studios have created over 200 unique Megaways titles.
Who knew Aussie dev’s would blaze such a trail for slots?
How Does the Megaways Mechanic Work?
Okay. Let’s break down the Megaways slot engine…
Standard Megaways slots have 6 reels. When you spin the reels, each reel will randomly show between 2 and 7 symbols at once. To work out the total ways to win you multiply the total number of symbols across all 6 reels together.
Formula Example: Ways to win = Reel 1 X reel 2 X reel 3 X reel 4 X reel 5 X reel 6
So if every reel shows 7 symbols down, you have 7,176 possible ways to win on that spin (7X7X7X7X7X7).
At full capacity most Megaways slots offer up to 117,649 ways to win per spin. Some games like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways pushes that ceiling even higher at 1,000,000 possible ways to win.
Now compare that to your average online slot with 20 fixed paylines.
Here’s the thing…
More ways to win increases the amount of potential win combinations per spin.
Having more ways to win doesn’t guarantee you a win. Most Megaways slots are high-volatility games. Winning combinations will often land in big clusters — and go missing for longer stretches. That’s normal. Know the signs before playing.
Key Features Beginner’s Should Know
Megaways slots have a variety of features you won’t find on regular slot games. Knowing what’s what is essential.
Cascading Reels
A winning combination will cause the winning symbols to disappear from the reels. New symbols will fall into place to take their place. If new symbols complete another winning combination — they too will vanish.
Creating multiple consecutive wins from one spin.
This feature is known as cascading reels, and it’s what makes Megaways slots so much fun.
Win Multipliers
Most Megaways slots feature a win multiplier that increases during the free spins round. The multiplier starts at 1x and grows with each consecutive win. By the end of a massive cascade players have seen their multiplier reach astronomical figures.
Big wins are had during this stage.
Free Spins Bonus Round
Like most online slots, Megaways feature a bonus round where players can win free spins. When triggered by scatter symbols, the free spins round is where the win multiplier feature comes into play.
Slot hunters should do everything they can to trigger this bonus feature. It’s the difference between a good and bad Megaways experience.
The Extra Horizontal Reel
Have you noticed how a lot of Megaways slots have an extra horizontal reel resting above the main 6 reels? Well, that reel multiplies the total ways to win even higher, getting you closer to the maximum amount on each spin.
Best Megaways Slots
With hundreds of Megaways slots to choose from online today, beginners should start with these top three:
- Bonanza Megaways — The original Megaways slot game from Big Time Gaming. Featuring up to 117,649 ways to win, a 96% RTP and a max win of 26,x your stake. A true Megaways classic!
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways — Originally developed by NetEnt, this long-running Megaways slot features multipliers that climb to 15x during free spins.
- The Dog House Megaways — If you haven’t heard of The Dog House yet then where have you been? Developed by Pragmatic Play, the slot features a 96.55% RTP and max win of 12,305x your stake. Consistently one of the top performing Megaways slots online.
Pick one of these three Megaways slots to learn the basics. Get familiar with how cascading reels work and how the free spins bonus round affects your total winnings. From there you can start exploring bigger and better Megaways games.
Tips For Playing Megaways Slots
Ready to start playing Megaways slots online? First, read these tips:
Know the volatility. Megaways slots don’t pay out small wins as often as you’d think. There will be longer periods without wins that test your patience. Adapt your session budgets accordingly. Don’t get panicked during a cold streak.
Look at the RTP%. Return to player percentages can vary from Megaways slot to Megaways slot. Always look for games with an RTP of 96% or greater. Bonanza has 96% RTP, The Dog House Megaways has 96.55%. Learn the others before diving into a new Megaways game.
Play demo mode. Don’t jump into a new Megaways game without testing out the demo version first. Learn how the cascading reels interacts with the free spins multiplier. Get a feel for the game in question without risking real money.
Budget your session. Unlike low or medium volatile slots, Megaways games can run through a bankroll quickly during a cold-loss streak. Set a budget before you start playing and stick to it.
The Bottom Line
Megaways slots are an exciting addition to the online slots industry. Learning how Megaways slots work is the first step to getting the most out of your sessions.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Megaways slots use special mechanics that change the number of ways to win on every spin.
- While most Megaways slots have a maximum of 117,649 ways to win. Some offer over 1 Million ways!
- Megaways slots have unique features like cascading reels and win multipliers.
- Megaways slots are generally high-volatility. Don’t get discouraged if wins come less frequently.
- If you’re new to Megaways start playing Bonanza Megaways, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways or The Dog House Megaways — three of the most popular Megaways slots available online today.
