Megaways Slots Explained: How the 117,649 Ways to Win Works
If you’ve spent any amount of time in today’s online casinos, you’ve probably seen the term Megaways™ flashed across banners, promoted in welcome offers, or sitting at the top of every “Most Popular Slots” list. And if you’re like many players, especially newcomers, you’ve wondered: What exactly makes these games different? How do Megaways slots actually work? Why does everyone talk about “117,649 ways to win”?
As someone who has spent years playing, testing strategies, studying slot mechanics, and watching this industry evolve from simple three-reel classics to ultra-dynamic game engines, I can tell you this: Megaways changed slot gaming forever. And if you want to understand modern online slots, this is one engine you must know inside and out.
One seasoned gambler once told me at the bar of the Grand Lisboa in Macau:
“Megaways is the first slot engine that makes you feel like every spin has a heartbeat of its own.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. The unpredictability—the shifting reels—the expanding ways—it all creates a rhythm that’s unlike anything we had before.
In this long-form guide, I’ll break down exactly how Megaways works, why the number 117,649 is so famous, the math behind the system, the advantages and risks, and whether Megaways games are right for you.
What Are Megaways Slots? A Modern Slot Engine Explained
Megaways is a dynamic reel mechanic created by Big Time Gaming (BTG), first launched in 2016 with Dragon Born and later made globally famous through Bonanza Megaways.
Before Megaways, most slots worked with fixed paylines—20, 25, 40, or maybe 243 ways at most. No matter how many times you spun, the pattern stayed the same.
Megaways changed everything by introducing variable reel heights, meaning:
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Every reel can change its number of symbols on every spin.
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The number of symbols determines your “ways to win.”
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Every spin feels different because the layout constantly shifts.
When I first played Bonanza Megaways years ago, I thought my monitor glitched. The reels stretched, shrank, expanded again—it felt alive. And once I understood how those changing reels translated into win potential, it clicked.
So What Does 117,649 Ways to Win Mean?
This is the number you see on almost every Megaways promotional banner. But why 117,649 specifically?
Because:
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There are 6 reels.
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Each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols.
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When each reel reaches the maximum height of 7 symbols:
7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win.
That’s all it is—simple multiplication.
But it’s important to understand that this is the maximum. Most spins will have far fewer ways, like:
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15,000 ways
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32,000 ways
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50,000 ways
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Even as low as a few hundred ways
The unpredictability is part of the fun. As I always say at the blackjack table:
“Slots may be random, but Megaways feels random in motion.”
Every spin is a different configuration. Sometimes you get tall reels and feel a rush of anticipation. Other times, the reels shrink and you know you’re probably not hitting anything meaningful. That tension is part of the Megaways experience.
How Megaways Paylines Work (Explained Simply)
Megaways uses a “ways to win” system, not traditional paylines.
That means:
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You only need matching symbols on adjacent reels.
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Position doesn’t matter as long as the symbols appear somewhere on each reel.
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Wins are calculated left-to-right.
For example:
If reel 1 shows two Aces, reel 2 shows three Aces, and reel 3 shows one Ace, your total combination count is:
2 × 3 × 1 = 6 ways to win.
This multiplication-based scoring system is what makes big wins possible—even from low-paying base symbols.
In traditional slots, this would just be one payline. In Megaways, it could be dozens.
Why Megaways Slots Offer Huge Win Potential
One reason Megaways became so wildly popular is simple: players love volatility. High volatility means:
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Big wins are possible
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Wins don’t occur frequently
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Sessions can swing hard
Many Megaways titles offer max payouts of 10,000x to 50,000x your stake.
I’ve hit a 2,500x bonus in Extra Chilli once, and even after all these years, I can still remember that feeling. It came entirely from cascading hits, something Megaways does better than almost any other system.
Key Megaways Features (Explained by Experience)
Although each game is different, most Megaways titles share a set of common features that define the system.
1. Cascading Reels
After every winning combination:
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Winning symbols explode or disappear
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New symbols drop in
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Multiple cascades can occur in one spin
This is where most big wins happen. Cascades chain together and multiply your payouts rapidly.
2. Expanding Reels
Each reel changes height on every spin. This is what creates the fluctuating number of ways.
Some games also allow special mechanics such as:
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Reels expanding to maximum height during bonuses
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Reels locking at max height
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Mystery symbols that reveal identical symbols
3. Bonus Free Spins With Multipliers
Megaways bonuses often include:
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Unlimited win multipliers
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Increasing multipliers after each cascade
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Guaranteed Megaways reel sizes
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Guaranteed minimum ways per spin
For many players, this is the heart of Megaways. The multipliers can escalate to absurd levels—I once saw a multiplier hit 42x during a Survivor Megaways bonus.
4. Horizontal Bonus Reels
Some games, like Bonanza, add an extra horizontal reel above the main grid, offering additional symbols and increasing ways even further.
Real Example: How Megaways Ways to Win Are Calculated
Let’s take a hypothetical spin:
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Reel 1 = 5 symbols
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Reel 2 = 7 symbols
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Reel 3 = 4 symbols
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Reel 4 = 6 symbols
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Reel 5 = 3 symbols
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Reel 6 = 7 symbols
Ways to win = 5 × 7 × 4 × 6 × 3 × 7
Do the math:
5 × 7 = 35
35 × 4 = 140
140 × 6 = 840
840 × 3 = 2,520
2,520 × 7 = 17,640 ways
That’s just one configuration out of millions.
This is why so many players feel that “every spin has potential.”
Advantages of Megaways Slots (Experienced Gambler’s Insight)
1. Massive Variability Creates Excitement
Every spin feels different. This is something classic slots just can’t replicate.
2. High Volatility Means High Upside
The big wins are real—and they happen. Not often, but they happen.
3. Cascading Wins Add Momentum
As I often say:
“One spin can turn into ten if the symbols fall right.”
Cascades create rapid-fire action.
4. Bonuses Are Extremely Engaging
Megaways free spins are some of the most exciting in the industry, especially when multipliers build.
Risks and Downsides (Honest and Neutral)
I’ve played hundreds of Megaways sessions, and I can tell you the downsides are very real.
1. High Volatility Means Bankroll Swings
Megaways can drain your balance faster than fixed-payline slots.
2. Bonuses Can Be Hard to Trigger
Some titles can go 200–300 spins without a bonus. This is normal.
3. Big Wins Are Rare
Potential is high, but outcomes are statistically limited. The majority of sessions end in small losses.
4. Not Ideal for Beginners
The dynamic layout can overwhelm new players who aren’t familiar with slot math.
5. Hard to Predict
The constantly changing reel heights make it challenging to “feel out” the slot. Some gamblers prefer predictable paylines.
Best Practices for Playing Megaways (Practical Advice)
From years at the tables and countless hours online, here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Use a disciplined bankroll strategy
Megaways volatility requires margin. Never play short-stacked.
2. Don’t chase bonuses
They are exciting, but sometimes the machine just isn’t in the mood.
3. Stick to moderate bet sizes
Megaways is a marathon, not a sprint.
4. Set loss and win limits
As one old gambler once told me:
“The trick isn’t winning big—it’s knowing when to walk away.”
5. Treat the game as entertainment, not income
Statistically, Megaways is built for long-term house edge.
Are Megaways Slots Worth Playing? My Final Verdict
In short: Yes—if you know what you’re getting into.
Megaways slots became a worldwide phenomenon because they offer something genuinely new:
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Constantly changing reels
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Immense unpredictability
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Massive potential
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Adrenaline-packed bonuses
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Endless replay value
But they also come with serious volatility. You can go cold for long stretches. Bonuses can disappoint. Multipliers can fall flat.
Still, when all the pieces line up—when the reels expand, cascades connect, and multipliers grow—few experiences in slot gaming match the raw energy of a Megaways bonus.
I’ve played more slot engines than I can count, from classic 3-reelers to modern cluster systems. But Megaways remains the one that pulled me in hardest. As I always say at the blackjack table:
“The beauty of Megaways is that you never really know what the next spin looks like until it hits.”
And in a world where slots can feel repetitive, predictable, or over-designed, that unpredictability is pure gold.
