Megaways is one of the most popular slot mechanics in the UK. Instead of fixed paylines, the number of ways to win changes on every spin, up to 117,649 or more.
It sounds like a huge advantage, but more ways doesn’t mean better odds. Here’s how Megaways works and what to look out for.
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1What Megaways is
Megaways is a mechanic created by Big Time Gaming and licensed to many other game studios. That’s why you’ll see “Megaways” in the name of slots from lots of different providers.
2How the ways are counted
On a typical Megaways slot, each of the six reels shows between two and seven symbols on every spin. Winning combinations pay left to right on adjacent reels, in any position.
The number of ways is the reel heights multiplied together. If every reel shows seven symbols, that’s 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways. If the reels show 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 symbols, it’s 5,040 ways. Some games add an extra horizontal reel to push the total higher.
3Cascades and multipliers
Most Megaways slots use cascades, also called tumbles or avalanches. Winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in, which can create more wins from a single spin.
In free spins, many games add a multiplier that rises with each cascade and doesn’t reset. That’s where the biggest wins come from, and why the bonus round matters so much in these games.
4What more ways means for your odds
More ways to win doesn’t mean a higher return. The game’s RTP decides what it pays back on average, and most Megaways slots sit around 95% to 96.5%, like other slots.
What the mechanic does change is volatility. Many Megaways games are high volatility: lots of small or losing spins, with occasional large wins, often in the bonus round. Your balance can swing a lot in a short session.
5UK rules to know
The UK’s slot rules apply to Megaways games just as they do to any slot. Stakes are limited to £5 per spin, or £2 if you’re 18 to 24. Each spin must take at least 2.5 seconds, and autoplay and turbo spin features aren’t allowed.
6Our Megaways tips
- Check the RTP in the game info; the same title can come in different versions.
- Expect big swings. Set a stake that lets your budget last through dry spells.
- Don’t chase the bonus round. It can take hundreds of spins to land.
- Check offer terms. Free spins are often tied to one specific game; see our free spins guide.
For a wider look at slot mechanics, read how slot features work.