Megaways is a reel system created by Big Time Gaming and licensed to many other studios. Instead of a fixed grid, the number of symbols on each reel changes on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes too. You will recognise these games by the word Megaways in the title and a counter on screen showing the ways for the current spin.
In the most common layout, a Megaways game has six reels and each reel shows between two and seven symbols on every spin. Taller symbols can take up more than one position, which is one reason a reel sometimes shows fewer symbols. Some games add an extra horizontal reel above the main reels, and some studios use different reel sizes, so the paytable of each game has the exact layout.
Megaways is a "ways to win" system, not paylines. To find the ways for a spin, multiply the number of symbols on each reel. If the six reels show 3, 5, 2, 7, 4 and 6 symbols, the spin has 3 × 5 × 2 × 7 × 4 × 6 = 5,040 ways. With two symbols on every reel there are 64 ways (2 to the power of 6); with seven on every reel there are 117,649 ways (7 to the power of 6). That top figure is where the familiar "up to 117,649 ways" comes from.
A win needs matching symbols on neighbouring reels, starting from the leftmost reel, in any position on each reel. Every combination counts. For example, if the same symbol lands twice on reel 1, once on reel 2 and three times on reel 3, that is 2 × 1 × 3 = 6 winning ways, and the game pays the three-of-a-kind value six times. This is how a single spin can pay much more than its symbol values suggest.
You do not pay per way. Your bet is the same on a 64-way spin and a 117,649-way spin; the game scales each symbol's payout so that the total maths works out. More ways on screen means more chances to connect symbols on that spin, not a bigger cost.
For more on each feature, see pokies bonus features explained.
Because the ways change every spin and much of the return is paid in cascades and bonus rounds, many Megaways games are high volatility: long quiet spells broken by occasional big wins. The number of ways on screen does not change the game's RTP. Check each game's info screen for its RTP, max win and volatility rating, and read RTP and volatility explained if those terms are new.
The table below is built from our studios’ game lists each time the site is updated. It counts games with “Megaways” in the title, so the list can change as studios add or remove games.
| Studio | Megaways titles | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| EVO888 H5 | 20 | Buffalo King Megaways, Five Lions Megaways, Great Rhino Megaways |
| KA Gaming | 4 | Medal Winner Megaways, Treasure Bowl Megaways, Persia Bonanza Megaways |
| BNG (Booongo) | 3 | Buffalo Power Megaways, Legend of Cleopatra Megaways, Wolf Power Megaways |
It is a reel system created by Big Time Gaming in which each reel shows a different number of symbols on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes from spin to spin.
In the common six-reel layout each reel can show up to seven symbols, and 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649. Most spins have far fewer ways than that.
No. The RTP is set by the game's design and is the same whatever the number of ways on a given spin. More ways only means more possible combinations on that spin.
No. Your bet stays the same on every spin. The number of ways changes, but the cost of the spin does not.
Many are, because a large part of their return comes from cascades and bonus rounds. Volatility varies by game, so check the info screen of the game you choose.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly.