Megaways Slots: What They Are and How They Work

Megaways slots use technology that shows a random number of symbols on each reel with every spin. Multiply those reel heights together to get that spin’s ways to win, up to 117,649 on 6 reels. BitPlay is a social online casino, and its platforms include Astro7, V-Blink, and more. Seen the Megaways label and wondered why the ways counter keeps jumping? This guide walks you through it, one reel at a time.

What Are Megaways Slots?

Megaways slots are games where each reel's height changes on every spin. Some spins give you a short grid, while others stretch the reels tall. That’s why the number of ways to win never stays the same.

 

Big Time Gaming created the mechanic and first used it in 2016. The studio patented it and now licenses it to other developers. That’s why you’ll see Megaways games from so many studios. Megaways is a trademark of Big Time Gaming.

How Do Megaways Slots Work?

In a standard Megaways game, each of the six reels shows 2 to 7 symbols per spin. Wins don’t follow fixed lines. Instead, matching symbols pay when they land on neighboring reels, starting from the far left.

 

To locate the ways for any spin, multiply the number of symbols on each reel. Say a spin lands with these reel heights:

 

• Reel 1: 3 symbols
• Reel 2: 5 symbols
• Reel 3: 7 symbols
• Reel 4: 2 symbols
• Reel 5: 6 symbols
• Reel 6: 4 symbols

 

That’s 3 x 5 x 7 x 2 x 6 x 4, which gives 5,040 ways to win. Spin again, and the heights reshuffle, so the total changes too. Most games show the current count on screen, so you don’t have to do the math yourself.

How Many Ways Can You Win?

With 6 reels, the smallest grid has two symbols on every reel. That’s 2 to the power of 6, or 64 ways. The biggest is 7 symbols on every reel, which gives 117,649 ways. Still, the top-reel spins are rare.

 

Some titles add a horizontal reel that runs above the middle four reels. It adds an extra symbol to each of those reels, which boosts the ways count. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways uses one, and Irish Riches Megaways has a row of barrels that does the same job.

Megaways Features to Know

Most Megaways games add extras on top of the changing reels. Here are the ones this guide's titles use.

 

• Cascades: Also called tumbles or avalanches. After a win, the winning symbols disappear, and new ones drop in, so one spin can pay more than once. 5 Lions Megaways, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways and Irish Riches Megaways all use them.
• Growing multipliers in free spins: In Irish Riches Megaways, each cascade win during free spins adds 1x to the multiplier. In 5 Lions Megaways, you select from 7 free spins modes, each with its own mix of spins and multipliers.
• Top reel: The extra horizontal reel covered above. It only appears in some titles, so check the game screen.

Megaways vs Regular Slots

Regular video slots pay along fixed paylines, so win paths never change. Megaways slots swap those lines for ways that shift with the reel heights on every spin.

 

The gap is even bigger with classic 3-reel slots. They usually have one to five paylines, fruit and bar symbols, and few bonus features. For a broader look at how the formats differ, see our comparison of slot machine types.

Are Megaways Slots High Volatility?

Most are, yes. Megaways games tend to sit in the medium-high to high range. Expect longer dry runs in the base game. Also, a large share of payouts comes from cascades and free spins.

 

So how to win on Megaways slots? No method can change the result, since every spin is random. Overall, what you can control is how you play. Pick a stake that lets your session last through quiet stretches. Decide on a time limit and a budget before your first spin. Here, our guide to slot volatility basics explains the trade-off, and BitPlay’s responsible gaming page covers setting a deposit limit.

How to Play Megaways Slots

Getting started takes a few steps. Those are:

 

1. Set your stake. Choose your bet before you spin. With no fixed lines, you pick one total stake per spin.
2. Spin. The reels drop in at random heights.
3. Read the ways counter. It shows how many ways are active on that spin.
4. Watch for cascades. If you win, the winning symbols clear and new ones fall into place.
5. Look for scatters. Landing enough scatter symbols triggers free spins. The paytable shows how many you need for each game.

Where to Play Megaways Slots

BitPlay doesn’t have a separate Megaways lobby. Instead, you’ll find the Megaways titles on Astro7, plus one on V-Blink. Here’s what each Astro7 title brings.

 

Platform	Title	Studio	Max ways
Astro7	5 Lions Megaways	Pragmatic Play	117,649
Astro7	Big Bass Bonanza Megaways	Pragmatic Play	46,656
Astro7	Fishin' Frenzy Megaways	Blueprint Gaming	15,625
Astro7	Irish Riches Megaways	Blueprint Gaming	117,649

 

You can also open Rampart Rhino Megaways on V-Blink, which runs in your browser with no app needed.

 

New players can try Megaways with free play. BitPlay adds a $20 Welcome Bonus to your Bonus Wallet once you verify your account. No deposit or promo code is needed, and players need to be 21 or older. Always play responsibly.

FAQ

Can Megaways slots pay several wins in one spin?

Yes, through cascades. In 5 Lions Megaways, winning symbols disappear after a win, and new symbols fall into the gaps. If those form another win, it pays too, and the chain continues until no new win lands. That’s how a single paid spin can turn into several separate wins.

Who makes Megaways games?

Big Time Gaming created the mechanic and licenses it to other studios. That’s why so many developers make Megaways games. Of the titles in this guide, Pragmatic Play makes 5 Lions Megaways and Big Bass Bonanza Megaways. Blueprint Gaming makes Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways and Irish Riches Megaways.

Can you play Megaways slots on mobile?

Yes. V-Blink runs in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge on desktop, iOS, and Android, with no app or APK needed. Just open the platform link in a mobile browser. Access varies by platform, so check each platform’s page on BitPlay for current options before you play.

Can you try Megaways slots for free?

New BitPlay players get a $20 Welcome Bonus in their Bonus Wallet after verification. You’ll need a selfie holding your ID and a clear photo of the front of your ID. No deposit or promo code is required. To use it, pick a platform at checkout and choose Bonus Wallet.