If you’ve spent any time browsing slot lobbies, you’ve almost certainly bumped into the word “Megaways.” It gets thrown around like a selling point on its own — 117,649 ways to win! — but very few articles explain what the number actually means, how the underlying math generates it, or why chasing the highest ways-count doesn’t automatically improve your expected return. This guide pulls back the curtain on the mechanics, the licence behind them, and what the maths really tells you about your chances.

What Is the Megaways Mechanic and Who Owns It?

Megaways is a patented reel modifier invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian studio. BTG licences the mechanic to other developers — Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming and dozens more — which is why you see “Megaways” branded games from many different providers. The core innovation isn’t just a big ways number; it’s the method of producing that number on every single spin.

Understanding that it’s a licenced mechanic matters for one practical reason: the base mathematics are consistent across all legitimate Megaways titles, but each licencee can tune the RTP, volatility and bonus rules independently. Two games can both offer 117,649 max ways yet play very differently.

How Reel-Height Randomisation Creates Up to 117,649 Ways

The Six-Reel Grid

Most Megaways slots use a six-reel layout. On a standard fixed-payline slot, each reel shows a locked number of symbols — three rows, say — and you get a fixed number of ways. Megaways breaks that constraint by randomising how many symbols appear on each reel with every spin.

The Height Range

Each of the six main reels can display between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. That range is selected randomly and independently for each reel on every spin. The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the heights together:

Ways = Reel 1 height × Reel 2 height × Reel 3 height
       × Reel 4 height × Reel 5 height × Reel 6 height

When every reel lands on its maximum of 7 symbols:

7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways

That’s the ceiling. The floor — when every reel shows just 2 symbols — is:

2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64 ways

So on any given base-game spin, the ways count is somewhere between 64 and 117,649, and the specific value shifts every single time the reels move.

Why the Average Ways Count Is the Key Number

Marketing always spotlights the maximum. The figure that actually matters for understanding gameplay is the average ways count across all spins, which sits well below 117,649 because reaching the maximum requires all six reels to simultaneously land at their tallest height — a relatively rare event. The practical implication: most spins take place on a grid considerably smaller than the headline number suggests.

Ways to Win vs. Paylines: Why the Distinction Matters

On a traditional payline slot, a “win” requires symbols to land on a predefined path from left to right. With Megaways, a win occurs whenever a matching symbol appears on consecutive reels from left to right, in any position on those reels. There are no fixed lines — every symbol on reel 1 connects to every symbol on reel 2, and so on.

This creates a much larger number of potential winning combinations, but it doesn’t change the fundamental relationship between your bet and your expected return. That relationship is governed by RTP, and RTP is set by the developer, not by the ways count. A slot with 100,000+ ways can have a lower RTP than a classic three-reel machine. Always check the paytable or a reliable review before you play — our best high-RTP slots guide is a good starting point.

Does More Ways Mean Better Hit Frequency?

This is probably the most common misconception. More ways to win does not equal more frequent wins. Here’s why:

  • Symbol frequency is adjusted. Developers balance the reels so that a higher ways count doesn’t automatically hand out more wins. Rare symbols land less often; common symbols pay less.
  • Volatility is a separate dial. Many Megaways games are tuned to be high volatility — meaning infrequent but larger wins — specifically because the mechanic handles big multiplier chains well. The wide ways range actually suits high-volatility design.
  • Hit frequency is a product of the whole math model, not just the ways structure. Two Megaways titles can have dramatically different hit frequencies despite identical max-ways counts.

The honest takeaway: treat the 117,649 figure as a description of the grid architecture, not as an indicator of how often you’ll land a winning combination.

The Horizontal Bar Reel (and Other Megaways Variations)

Some Megaways implementations add a horizontal reel above the main grid — a strip of symbols that cascade down to increase the ways count further, or act as additional scatter positions. Others cap the reel height at fewer than 7 symbols. A handful of titles introduce a 7-reel layout. These variations don’t break the core multiplication formula; they modify the height ranges or reel count used in it.

The point is that “Megaways” is a family of mechanics, not a single rigid structure. Reading a game’s paytable page — or a thorough review — will tell you exactly which variation you’re dealing with.

What to Look for When Choosing a Megaways Game

Given that the ways count alone tells you little about expected value, here’s what actually helps:

  1. RTP range — Some games publish a standard and a reduced RTP. Know which version your casino runs.
  2. Volatility level — High volatility suits players with a larger bankroll prepared for longer dry spells.
  3. Bonus trigger frequency — In most Megaways games, the big money sits in the free-spins feature. How often does it trigger, and is there a buy-feature option?
  4. Multiplier mechanics — Cascading wins with growing multipliers are a Megaways staple; understand the ceiling.
  5. The casino itself — Play on a platform you trust. Our casino reviews section covers crypto-friendly options in detail, and if you prefer a more traditional licensed operator, the Jackpot City review is worth reading for players in regulated markets.

For broader platform research, BGC-affiliated operators in the UK are listed on the Gambling Commission’s website — useful if you’re verifying a licence independently.

The House Edge Never Disappears

However elegant the reel-height mathematics are, Megaways games still carry a house edge on every spin. The dynamic ways count creates visual excitement and genuine volatility swings, but it doesn’t alter the fundamental economics of negative-expectation gambling. Over a large enough sample of spins, the house collects the margin baked into the RTP.

If you want to dig into how payout rates compare across providers and titles, bookmark our Payout Watch page, which tracks certified return figures without inflating them.

For independent support around gambling habits, GambleAware and Gambling Therapy both offer free, confidential resources.

Conclusion

Megaways is a genuinely clever piece of slot engineering — randomising reel height every spin creates organic volatility and makes the grid feel alive in a way fixed paylines can’t match. But the 117,649 ways figure is an architectural maximum, not a session guarantee, and it says nothing on its own about RTP, hit frequency or how bankroll-friendly a game is. Understanding the multiplication formula, knowing that the average ways count is far below the ceiling, and focusing on verified RTP and volatility data will put you in a much stronger position than chasing the biggest headline number.

18+ only. Gambling should be entertaining, not a source of income. If you need support, visit our responsible gambling page.