Megaways slots transformed the online slot industry when Big Time Gaming introduced the mechanic in 2016. By making the number of symbols on each reel change randomly, Megaways creates up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. This guide explains the mechanic clearly for Irish players and covers what to expect from these high-volatility games.
How the Megaways Mechanic Works
Traditional slot machines use fixed paylines or ways-to-win. Megaways is different — the number of symbols on each reel is determined randomly on each spin. On a 6-reel Megaways game:
- Each reel can display 2 to 7 symbols per spin.
- The number of ways to win equals the product of the symbol counts on each reel.
- Maximum: 7×7×7×7×7×7 = 117,649 ways.
- Minimum: 2×2×2×2×2×2 = 64 ways.
- The number changes every spin — you don't know how many ways you have until the reels land.
Cascading Reels (Avalanche Feature)
Most Megaways games use cascading reels. When a winning combination lands:
- Winning symbols are removed from the grid.
- New symbols fall from above to fill the gaps.
- If the new symbols form another winning combination, the cascade continues.
- In free spins, each cascade typically adds to a multiplier (e.g. ×1, ×2, ×3...) that applies to all subsequent wins.
Volatility and Win Potential
Megaways slots are typically high to very high volatility. This means:
- Wins during the base game are less frequent.
- Free spins (triggered by scatter symbols) carry the main value — the cascade multiplier can compound significantly.
- Maximum win potentials are stated in each game's paytable — many are 10,000–50,000x stake. These are theoretical maximums, not typical outcomes.
Well-Known Megaways Titles Available at Licensed Casinos
Many game developers have licensed the Megaways engine from Big Time Gaming. Well-known titles include:
| Game | Developer | Max Ways | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 117,649 | Very High |
| Extra Chilli Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 117,649 | Very High |
| Primal Megaways | Blueprint Gaming | 117,649 | Very High |
| Reel King Megaways | Red Tiger | 117,649 | High |
| Opal Fruits Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 117,649 | High |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Megaways is a patented slot mechanic from Big Time Gaming where the number of symbols on each reel changes randomly each spin, producing up to 117,649 ways to win on a 6-reel game.
The number varies every spin — from as few as 64 to as many as 117,649 on a 6-reel game. The maximum requires 7 symbols on every reel simultaneously.
Typically high to very high volatility. Wins are less frequent in the base game but can compound significantly in free spins via cascade multipliers. Maximum win figures are theoretical and not typical outcomes.
When a win lands, winning symbols are removed and replaced by new ones falling from above — potentially creating further wins in a single spin. Free spins usually add a multiplier that increases with each cascade.