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Megaways — the mechanic that changed pokies

Up to 117,649 ways to win on a single spin. Here's how it actually works.

Updated 24 April 2026

What is Megaways?

Megaways™ is a trademarked game mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming (Sydney, Australia). Instead of a fixed grid, each reel shows a random number of symbols (typically 2–7) every spin, so the total "ways to win" constantly changes — up to a maximum of 117,649 on most titles.

How a Megaways spin works

  1. Six reels spin; each lands with 2–7 visible symbols.
  2. Ways to win = multiply symbol counts across all reels. If every reel lands with 7, you get 7⁶ = 117,649 ways.
  3. Winning symbol clusters are paid and removed (cascade mechanic).
  4. New symbols drop in to fill the gaps — potentially chaining more wins on the same spin.
  5. Most Megaways titles include a free-spin bonus with an unlimited multiplier climb.

Popular Megaways titles

Megaways pros and cons

ProsCons
Cascading wins feel like action every spinAlmost always high volatility — long dry spells
Multipliers in free spins can stack without capRTP often 96.0% or lower; check before you play
Available across Pragmatic, NetEnt, Play'n GO and moreBonus buys often cost 100× the base bet

Bankroll tip

Megaways is high-variance by design. If your bankroll can't absorb a run of 100–200 spins without a win, choose a low-volatility alternative. See our RTP & volatility guide.