What Are Megaways Slots? How the Mechanic Works and How to Play
Megaways slots are online slots with changing reel layouts. Instead of displaying a fixed number of symbols on each reel, they generate a different arrangement with every spin, creating thousands of possible ways to win, up to a mega-high 117,649.
Unlike traditional slots with a fixed number of paylines and ways to win, the grid of Megaways slots never stays the same from spin to spin.
You might see a modest number of winning routes on one spin, while the next blows open a much larger web of possibilities. Basically, they’re mega cool!
Below, we’ll break down the big question: What are Megaways slots?
We’ll discuss how they work, how to play Megaways slots, how they compare to standard slot machines, and how other features can help multiply your wins like rabbits in a carrot patch.
How the Megaways Mechanic Works
Every spin in a Megaways slot spins up a new and unique reel layout. While the exact range varies by game, most 6-reel Megaways titles display from 2 to 7 symbols on each reel. That means the number of Megaways ways to win changes constantly.
The eye-popping six-digit total of 117,649 ways to win comes from multiplying the maximum symbol count on each reel together: 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7.
“Ways to win,” like in the Megaways mechanic, are not the same as paylines in most regular slots. With the standard, fixed paylines in regular slots, you win when matching symbols land within an exact, predetermined position.
With “ways to win,” matching symbols pay when they land on consecutive reels from left to right. It doesn’t matter which row they occupy; the only thing that matters is that they line up on consecutive reels.
With the Megaways format, one spin could result in a couple of hundred ways to win, and the very next could reach the highest, six-digit number.
This variability is no bug. It’s what makes a Megaways slot a Megaways slot, and it’s why we love ‘em.
Common Features in Megaways Slot Games
The top Megaways slots sprout a beanstalk and grow your win potential with a long, skyward list of additional features.
Cascading Reels
Cascading reels are among the most common, also called avalanches or reactions.
When a winning combination lands, those symbols disappear, and new ones tumble into the empty spaces.
As long as you keep winning, the reels continue to cascade, potentially burying just one spin into an avalanche of wins.
Megaways Free Spins
Megaways free spins are one of the top slot features, and they’re marvelously abundant.
In most cases, you trigger a free spins round by landing three or more scatter symbols on adjacent reels from left to right.
Free Spins + Progressive Multipliers (biggest wins)
The great news is that once you enter free spins, the cascade from the base game doesn’t typically stop; it mega-fies.
If you enter such a free spins round, each winning cascade is accompanied by a progressive multiplier. As long as you keep winning, the multiplier keeps growing.
If you find yourself here, a regular treasure chest won’t do. Make sure you bring the mega-sized one because this feature is usually where the biggest wins are born.
Wild Symbols
Wild symbols are another biggie. Wilds step in to substitute for another symbol, which can bump you over the edge for a win.
Some Megaways titles place wilds directly on the reels, while others use a separate horizontal reel above the main grid.
These features are the most common, but not every Megaways slot includes all of them. Megaways is a licensed slot mechanic used by many developers, and each game adds its own twists and surprises. You’ll never be mega bored, that’s for sure.
How to Play Megaways Slots Online
The steps below show you how to play Megaways slots online.
- Set your bet. Choose your coin size and total wager before spinning. Megaways games don’t use adjustable paylines, so your bet will automatically cover every active way to win.
- Spin. When the reels stop, each displays a random number of symbols. The game then displays the total number of ways to win available on that spin above the reels and calculates your win automatically.
- How wins pay. Matching symbols on three or more consecutive reels from left to right creates wins. The actual position of your symbols doesn’t matter, just as long as they land on consecutive reels.
- Cascading wins. In games with cascading reels, winning symbols disappear, and new ones drop into place from above to form new wins. This win-spin-repeat cycle continues until there are no more wins and the cascade stops.
- Triggering the bonus round. Landing the required number of scatter symbols, usually three or more in a row on adjacent reels, activates free spins. Here, you’ll often find progressive multipliers that grow with each cascade and/or the game removes low-paying symbols.
Megaways Slots vs. Traditional Slots
Traditional slots use a fixed number of paylines or winning ways, while Megaways slots generate a different number of active winning routes on every spin.
The table below is a quick reference to understand the differences between the two.
| Characteristic | Regular Slots | Megaways Slots |
| Win Structure | Fixed paylines or fixed ways to win | Variable ways-to-win system |
| Ways to Win per Spin | Varies, but remains the same on every spin | Changes on every spin, reaches up to 117,649 |
| Reel Layout | A fixed number of rows and symbols per reel | Symbol count and rows vary on each spin |
| Bonus Round Trigger | Usually 3+ scatters anywhere on the reels | Usually 3+ scatters on adjacent reels from the leftmost reel |
| Volatility Profile | Varies by game | Often higher volatility |
| Best for | More slot variety overall but once you’re into the gameplay, you want it to stay consistent. | If you appreciate a few key features but thrive on huge wins and higher variety when you’re actually playing the game. |
Both types of slots will entertain you ‘til the cows come home. But with Megaways slots, you’ll experience more variety per spin, along with a typically higher, giant-approved win ceiling. That said, they tend to float around the same 3-4 bonus features.
With regular slots, you’ll find a larger range of features, styles, and volatility, but the fixed paylines or ways to win are predictable from spin to spin.
The question of ways to win versus traditional paylines isn’t a matter of better or worse; they’re just different.
How to Choose the Best Megaways Slot
When choosing the best Megaways slot for your play style, always start with volatility.
High-volatility games tend to produce larger payouts less often. You’ll need a bigger bankroll for those, since you usually end up spinning for a while before the reels deliver. Most Megaways slots have higher volatility.
Low-volatility slots award smaller wins more regularly. These are ideal if you’re hoping to stretch your bankroll or chip away at wagering requirements. If you can’t find a low-volatility Megaways slot, you might have a good time seeing how low you can go with regular low-volatility slots.
Next, compare the bonus features. The bonus round is where the big wins brew. Progressive multipliers are always a big, green yes. More free spins are better, especially if they retrigger. All in all, you should feel like the bonus round gives you a genuine opportunity to score.
Finally, don’t overlook the theme. No one wants to spend a session spinning candy and fruits when you’re more of the Godzilla and dinosaurs type. A theme you genuinely enjoy can make a session far more entertaining.
What’s the Best Megaways Slot?
Treasure Bowl Megaways is the best slot with the Megaways feature. It embraces a more intimate look at Chinese symbolism, complemented by 6 reels with 2 to 5 symbols per reel and more than 15,000 ways to win per spin.
Gold ingots, money trees, jade ornaments, pearls, and gemstones fill the reels, and each spin is a curious rummage through a merchant’s treasure vault.
As the Megaways mechanic transforms the number of ways to win on each spin, the wild pot of gold shimmers on reels 2 through 5, helping substitute for regular symbols to clasp a win.
Land three or more Treasure Bowl scatter symbols on adjacent reels starting with reel 1 to unlock 10 free spins. Here, the lower-paying card symbols disappear, giving the higher-paying treasure symbols more room to shine.
Are Megaways Slots Worth Playing?
For sure!
Megaways slots are special in the world of slots. Multiple, dynamic ways to win per spin offer a fresh view of the game.
Cascading reels are typical for Megaways slots, which can send one spin into a pop-pop-pop-style winning spree.
That’s especially true when combined with progressive multipliers in the free spins round, which is yet another standard Megaways slot feature.
However, this mega dose of excitement comes with a trade-off. Many Megaways slots lean toward higher volatility, which means you’ll experience larger swings in your balance and longer stretches between major wins.
If you’re the type to enjoy feature-driven slots and larger win ceilings, you’ll no doubt find the Megaways format rewarding. If, on the other hand, you’re comfortable with more frequent, predictable payouts, fixed-payline slots might be the games for you.
If Megaways sounds like a good fit, try Treasure Bowl Megaways first. It’s a fun, straightforward introduction to the mechanic.
More About How Megaways Slots Work
What does “Megaways” mean in slots?
Megaways is a trademarked slot mechanic. Slots that feature it change the number of symbols on each reel every spin, creating a different number of ways to win from spin to spin.
How many ways to win do Megaways slots have?
A standard 6-reel Megaways slot offers up to 117,649 ways to win. The exact number changes each spin based on how many symbols land on each reel. That’s no fluke—that’s the whole point of Megaways slots!
Are Megaways slots high volatility?
Most Megaways slots are high-volatility games. That means you’ll see fewer wins, but when they occur, they’re impressive. This also means the win potential is extra high, particularly during free spins rounds with growing multipliers.
What is the difference between Megaways and regular slots?
Regular slots use fixed paylines or a fixed number of ways to win. Megaways slots generate a different number of winning routes on every spin, and there are no paylines to activate.
How do you trigger free spins in a Megaways slot?
Most Megaways games award free spins when you land a set number of scatter symbols, typically three or more, on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel.
Do all Megaways slots have cascading reels?
Not necessarily. Cascading reels are common in Megaways slots, but they are not guaranteed. When active, winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place, creating opportunities for additional wins from the same spin.
