Megaways Slots Explained: How Variable Reels Work

What Is Megaways?

Megaways is a slot mechanic patented by Australian developer Big Time Gaming (BTG) in 2016. Unlike traditional slots with fixed paylines (such as 20, 25, or 50 lines), Megaways slots use variable reel heights that change on every spin, creating a dynamic number of potential winning combinations called "ways to win."

The mechanic was first introduced in the game Bonanza and has since been licensed to major providers including Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming, and NetEnt. Today, hundreds of Megaways titles exist across the slots market.

The key innovation is unpredictability—you never know exactly how many ways will appear on any given spin, which adds an element of anticipation that traditional fixed-payline slots lack.

How the Megaways Mechanic Works

In a standard Megaways configuration, the slot uses 6 reels. On each spin, every reel independently displays between 2 and 7 symbols. This variable height is what creates the fluctuating "ways" count.

Here is how the reel structure typically works:

Wins are calculated by matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of vertical position. There are no traditional paylines to track—if matching symbols appear on consecutive reels, they form a winning combination.

Calculating Ways to Win

The total number of ways on any spin is calculated by multiplying the symbol count on each reel:

Ways = Reel 1 × Reel 2 × Reel 3 × Reel 4 × Reel 5 × Reel 6

This means:

• Minimum ways: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64 ways
• Maximum ways: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways

In practice, most spins land somewhere in between. A typical distribution might look like:

Higher ways counts generally correlate with better potential payouts, but this is not guaranteed—winning still depends on matching high-value symbols across the reels.

The Cascade (Tumble) Feature

Most Megaways slots include a cascade mechanic, also called "tumbling reels" or "avalanche." Here is how it works:

1. You spin and land a winning combination
2. The winning symbols are removed from the reels
3. New symbols fall from above to fill the empty spaces
4. If new winning combinations form, the process repeats
5. This continues until no new wins appear

Cascades can create chain reactions, potentially generating multiple wins from a single spin. Some games apply multipliers that increase with each consecutive cascade (for example, 1x → 2x → 3x → 5x during bonus rounds).

This feature adds excitement but also increases volatility—wins can be substantial during long cascade chains, while many spins produce nothing.

Popular Megaways Games

Here are some of the most popular Megaways slots available, with their key statistics:

Note: RTP (Return to Player) represents the theoretical long-term payout percentage. Individual sessions can vary significantly from these averages. For more details, see our RTP vs Volatility Guide.

Asian Megaways Alternative: For even more ways to win, try Legacy of Kong Maxways by Spadegaming with up to 200,704 ways and a 50,000x max payout (96.42% RTP).

Volatility Considerations

Nearly all Megaways slots are classified as high volatility. This means:

• Wins are less frequent than low-volatility slots
• When wins occur, they tend to be larger
• Long losing streaks are normal and expected
• Bankroll can fluctuate dramatically within short periods

The high volatility stems from the variable ways mechanic combined with cascade features. Big wins typically occur when maximum ways align with consecutive cascades during bonus rounds—an event that happens rarely.

Strategy Considerations

Slots are games of chance, and no strategy can guarantee wins. However, informed players consider the following:

Bankroll Management

High-volatility games require larger bankrolls relative to bet size. A common guideline is having 200-500 bets in reserve to weather losing streaks. If your budget is RM100, consider betting RM0.20-RM0.50 per spin rather than RM1-RM2.

Session Limits

Set both loss limits and win targets before playing. For example: "I will stop if I lose RM50 or if I win RM100." This prevents chasing losses and protects winnings.

Bonus Round Focus

In most Megaways slots, the majority of large wins occur during free spins bonus rounds, where multipliers often increase with each cascade. Some players prefer games with "bonus buy" features that let you pay to enter the bonus directly—though this costs significantly more per spin.

RTP Variants

Some slots have multiple RTP versions. The same game might offer 96.5% RTP on one platform and 94% on another. Check the game's info screen to confirm the RTP before playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you predict when maximum ways will appear?

No. Each spin uses a Random Number Generator (RNG) that produces independent outcomes. Previous spins have no influence on future results. The 117,649 maximum ways can occur on any spin—or never in thousands of spins.

Are Megaways slots rigged?

Licensed Megaways games from reputable providers are tested by independent labs (such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI) to ensure the RNG is fair and the stated RTP is accurate. Unlicensed or pirated versions may not be trustworthy.

What is the house edge on Megaways slots?

House edge = 100% - RTP. For a 96% RTP slot, the house edge is 4%. This means the casino expects to profit RM4 for every RM100 wagered over time. Individual sessions can deviate substantially from this average.

Should I bet higher when ways count is low?

No. Ways count for the current spin is revealed after betting. You cannot predict or influence it. Adjusting bets based on previous results is known as the "gambler's fallacy" and has no mathematical basis.

Responsible Gaming

Megaways slots are entertainment products designed for adult players. The high volatility and potential for large wins can make these games psychologically engaging, which increases the risk of problem gambling for vulnerable individuals.

If you experience any of the following, consider seeking support:

• Spending more time or money than intended
• Chasing losses to try to break even
• Gambling with money needed for essential expenses
• Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling

Support Resources:

• Befrienders Malaysia: 03-7627 2929
• BK8 Responsible Gaming Tools