Megaways slots explained, in plain English

How it works

A regular slot has a fixed grid, say 5x3 with 20 lines. A Megaways slot has six reels, each showing a random number of symbols, usually between two and seven, on every spin. Multiply the symbols on each reel and you get the ways to win: for example, 7x7x7x7x7x7 is 117,649. That is the figure on The Dog House Megaways and Power of Thor Megaways. Our provider-based pages list over 200,000 ways for Buffalo King Megaways and Great Rhino Megaways; it is a headline number in the theoretical maximum, not what you see on most spins.

What changes in play

• No paylines: wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left.
• Reel sizes vary, so some spins have many ways and some few.
• Tumbling is common: winning symbols vanish and new ones drop.
• Features, such as free spins multipliers, are added on top.

The Megaways slots we cover

• The Dog House Megaways: 117,649 ways, a choice of two bonus modes.
• Buffalo King Megaways: over 200,000 ways, 12 to 22 free spins.
• Great Rhino Megaways: stated maximum win 20,000x.
• Madame Destiny Megaways: a wheel-of-fortune bonus.
• 5 Lions Megaways: pick one of seven bonus options.
• Power of Thor Megaways: spell THOR to trigger free spins.
• Big Bass Bonanza Megaways.

Is Megaways better?

It is different. The variable reels create swings that fixed-grid games lack, which suits players who enjoy unpredictability. Listed RTPs for the Megaways titles we cover are 96.50% to 96.70%, about the same as other slots from the studio, so you are not paying more for the format. Check the volatility notes in our guide and try the demo.

A quick demo test

Try one Megaways demo for ten minutes and watch two things. First, how often the reels show only a few symbols per reel, which are the low-ways spins that rarely pay. Second, how tumbles change the picture after a win, because chained tumbles are where most of the action happens. If you find the changing grid distracting, a fixed-grid game such as The Dog House or Wolf Gold may suit you better. If you enjoy the unpredictability, the Megaways family gives you plenty of variety at similar listed RTPs.

Megaways versus fixed grids

Fixed-grid slots such as The Dog House or Wolf Gold show the same layout every spin, so you learn where wins come from. Megaways spins change, so wins come from different patterns each time. Neither is better value: the listed RTPs overlap. Pick the format whose pace you enjoy, and size your stake so a long dry run does not end your evening.

What this means at the table

Because the number of ways changes on every spin, two spins at the same stake can feel completely different. A spin with few symbols per reel offers few ways to win, while one with the full set of symbols offers the maximum. Your stake is fixed per spin, not per way, so more ways do not cost more. They simply change how often and how large the combinations can be, which is why we recommend checking each game's listed RTP and feature list before playing.