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Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala

Read time: 10 minutes

If you are asking «what are Megaways slots», it is either because you are new to gambling or you just returned from a remote island after spending a decade. No offense. The reason is that the Megaways craze began around 2016 and has continued to billow through the online casino world like wildfire.

Introduction to Megaways Slots

The innovation by Big Time Gaming is simply irresistible because it offers players not 10 or 100 but over a big number of ways to win. You are probably wondering how such a massive number of paylines can be stacked into one slot. These thousands of ways to win are made possible because of the unique design of this game.

Unlike regular titles where the number of symbols is fixed, this new variant innovates with a mechanic that changes the symbols on the reels with every spin. It is like having several titles merged into one. So, the different ways to win in all the individual games are what add up to give Megaways the monstrous number of paylines.

Even with the massive number of paylines, don’t think that every push of the spin button will churn out a win because these games are famous for their high volatility. We will tell you everything you need to know.

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How Megaways Slots Work

Prior to hitting the spin button on a slot, a player must choose how many paylines they want to bet on which can influence the size of their wager per spin. Betting is totally different here. Instead of wagering on paylines, the player simply sets a stake and spins.

Unlike the fixed symbols and paylines on classic titles, this variant employs a dynamic mechanism that constantly changes the maximum number of symbols and paylines after every spin. Therefore, the ways to win change constantly. Since licensing this mechanic, several major software providers including Pragmatic Play and NetEnt have jumped on to create unique variants with their own themes, rules and bonus features.

Dynamic Reels and Ways to Win

What drives these unique types of games is the dynamic reels. What does this even mean? It simply means that every reel can display different symbols (usually between 2 and 7) after each spin. Since slots are won by lining up symbols on adjacent reels, each time the icon on the reels changes, a new different number of ways of winning are created. In other words, the term fixed payline is replaced with variable paylines. The most popular versions come with six reels and seven symbols per reel. The size of the payout depends on the value of the symbols in a winning combination.

Calculating Ways to Win

While it is possible for these types of games to have nearly unlimited win potentials, the number of ways to win depends on the number of symbols that can show up on a reel. For example, if you have a Megaways slot with six reels and each of the reels can have a maximum of seven symbols, you will get the number of possible paylines by multiplying the number of symbols possible on each reel. For the example above, the calculation would be 7x7x7x7x7x7 which is equal to 117,649 ways to win.

Difference Between Megaways and Fixed Paylines

The major difference between the standard slot and what this variant offers is that in the former, the symbols on the reels are fixed—just like the number of paylines—regardless of how many times you push the button. In the latter, the icons on the reels will continue to change with each spin. See the table below for a probable way the number of icons on the reels can change with each spin.

Reels	First Spin	Second Spin	Third Spin
1	2	7	5
2	3	5	2
3	4	2	3
4	5	6	4
5	6	3	7
6	7	4	6

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Key Features of Megaways Slots

The first step towards knowing how to play Megaways slots is learning about its unique features. As you probably imagined, this slot comes with a lot of similarities with the classic games, like expanding symbols and multipliers. However, it also has other features that stand them out from the classic titles. The first clear-cut difference is the dynamic payline and symbols, which we already discussed. Even where the concept is similar, like in expanding symbols and multipliers, the execution is usually different. Below are all the key differences they have compared to classic titles.

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Types of Megaways

A lot has changed since Big Time Gaming debuted the first version of the game. Other major game providers have jumped on the bandwagon, mixing and matching ideas, which has blessed players with a flurry of variations in this genre. Some of the variations we found will leave you asking, «What is Megaways slots». Thanks to online casinos, you can now find the best Megaways slots in a single place. Let’s look at the different types you will find and point out the key differences.

Standard Megaways

The standard version is arguably still the most popular. After its launch by Big Time Gaming, it has continued to gain popularity because of its huge winning potential (especially the 117,649 possible ways to win). It differs from classic games by having symbols that change per spin, dynamic reels, cascading reels, high volatility, and unique symbols. These changes make them a fresh experience for anyone looking for a new challenge or perspective on spinning games.

Enhanced Megaways

As the name suggests, these versions have been upgraded to offer more excitement to players. One notable example is the Dog Mansion, developed by Pragmatic Play in collaboration with Big Time Gaming. The puppy-themed title has enhanced RTP, one of the key features that punters always scrutinize before choosing a game. These versions usually have higher payouts. Some variants will multiply your bet by over 50,000x when you match six of the highest-paying symbols.

Specialty Megaways Formats

The specialty formats usually have more in common with the classic slots. A good example is the sticky wilds found in Dog Mansion. When you match more than one random multiplier in the winning paylines, the multipliers will multiply themselves. Dog Mansion also has a bonus round triggered by landing three scatter symbols. Once triggered, a wild will stay on the reels until the end of the round.

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Top Megaways Slots to Play

While having options is always a good thing, too much of it can also make a simple decision-making process harder. Now that you know what are Megaways slots, the next hurdle you will have to cross is choosing the right game because no two titles are identical as they all have varying spin features. Not to worry, we have played dozens of this game, and here are our top picks to date.

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Megaways Slots Providers

The reel-spinning gambling titles have come a long way and will continue to evolve in the years to come. They are arguably the most popular games in the casino world. Some software developers have been at the forefront of pioneering the evolution of these titles and deserve accolades in the industry. They either pioneer new techniques or take existing ones and twist them in hundreds of ways to ensure that regardless of what theme tickles your fancy, there is always something for you on the roster. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names in the industry and some of the best titles in their catalog.

Big Time Gaming

The company pioneered this innovative mechanics. They changed how punters viewed the game forever in 2016 with their monster hit called Bonanza Megaways. During its launch, the developer called it one of their “greatest creations to date” and no other software provider has come up with something cooler ever since.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is famous for its multi-product portfolio—and many of them are award-winning. The moment they take an idea, they transform it into something unique in ways that different players in that genre will find interesting. They are behind the Raging Waterfall and Aztec Gems.

NetEnt

It is hard to miss games from this long-time developer when you are in reputable online casinos. One of their highly successful titles is Gonzo’s Quest. They captured the attention of gamblers in the industry with stunning graphics and engaging gameplay. These features work together to enhance the player’s experience.

Blueprint Gaming

Just like other game providers, Blueprint Gaming took the mechanics and added cool features to it and wrapped everything in creative themes. Two of their most popular titles in this genre are Genie Jackpots and Buffalo Rising.

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Casinos Where You Can Try Megaways Slots

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How to Play Megaways Slots

If you are familiar with traditional slots, playing Megaways should not be any strange. They share several similarities on the player side, with most of the differences being on the technical side—which really shouldn’t bother you too much beyond looking at them as a criterion for picking a title that you want to invest in for a long time. Like in traditional reel games, you win by matching symbols on adjacent reels, which multiplies your bet by the number of times indicated on the paytable.

Getting Started with Megaways

The first step in playing any slot is choosing an online casino. We always advise our readers to go for casinos where they are guaranteed frequent bonuses. Once you have registered with the casino, make a deposit, head over to their slot section and use the search feature to easily find the game you want or explore the options they have if you don’t have any particular title in mind. Load up the title of your choice and place your bet. Hit the spin button and watch the reels roll. Keep your fingers crossed always because you can never tell what is coming up next.

Tips for Playing Megaways Slots

Unlike traditional titles where you must wager the maximum bet to trigger the jackpot, Megaways are always active, meaning you can consistently keep your stake per spin low. However, since your winnings are a multiplication of your bet, playing it safe also means limiting the size of your win when the hit comes. While the sight of over 100,000 ways to win may sound like a love story to your ears, we strongly recommend that you pay more attention to the RTP and volatility because they are the key determinants of how frequently a title will hit and the size of your wins.

Free Play options

There are two ways to play slots for free. The first is to find online casinos that offer demo versions of your game of interest. Demo versions make use of virtual coins with zero risk to your pocket. Once you exhaust your free coins, there are usually ways to get more. Demo versions are particularly great for new punters who want to learn the ropes before investing.

The second way to technically play for free is to leverage the promotions and bonuses offered by online casinos. Some casinos offer almost 10x your deposit as a bonus. Visit the casino’s promotions page to see the requirements for earning bonus funds. 

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Where To Get Help

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Megaways slots?

It is a video slot with up to 200,000 paylines. What makes it different from the classic game is that the symbols on the reels change with every spin to create more winning combinations.

What is the best Megaways slot?

This is subject to debate, as different players will always have contrasting opinions based on theme or other factors. However, it is always good to look at the RTP when making a choice. As a rule of thumb, the higher the RTP the better.

Are they better than classic games?

What we can say with confidence is that their number of paylines always trumps what is possible with classic titles. The changing symbols also bring a different kind of excitement to the game. As for which is better, it will always boil down to player preference.

Are they more volatile than traditional slots?

Absolutely! They are usually more volatile, which means you can expect bigger chunks of prizes that will be less frequent compared to classic games.

Are Megaways good?

Yes, they are worth a try, especially for punters who are always looking for new surprises. The key to better satisfaction lies in finding the theme that resonates with your interest. 

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