Big Time Gaming invented Megaways in 2016. The patent is now licensed to dozens of studios (Pragmatic Play, Blueprint, Red Tiger, Yggdrasil) and produced some of the highest-volatility, biggest max-win slots in the regulated UK market. But Megaways isn't always the best mechanical choice. This guide compares it to fixed-payline and traditional ways-to-win formats, and explains when each suits your bankroll.
How Megaways actually works
Megaways slots vary the number of symbols per reel each spin. Each of the six reels can show between two and seven symbols. The total ways to win is the product of the symbol counts, at maximum (7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7) you get 117,649 ways. The minimum is 64.
Megaways pairs the dynamic reel mechanic with cascading wins (winning symbols disappear, new ones drop in, potentially chaining further wins) and bonus rounds with progressive multipliers. The mechanic is patented; studios pay BTG a per-game licensing fee.
Megaways vs fixed paylines
Fixed-payline slots (Starburst (10 lines), Book of Dead (10), Wolf Gold (25)) pay only on specific predetermined line patterns. Hit frequency is typically lower than Megaways but per-hit values are usually higher because each line carries its own pay structure.
Megaways' variable structure produces more frequent small wins from the random ways count. The trade-off is that the same symbol combination pays less in absolute terms because it can be hit via many overlapping ways.
Megaways vs traditional ways-to-win
Fixed ways-to-win slots (typically 243 ways (5 reels × 3 rows) or 1,024 ways (5 × 4)) pay when matching symbols land on adjacent reels regardless of payline position. Less variance than Megaways because the ways count is constant.
For the same RTP, fixed ways-to-win produces a steadier payout rhythm. Megaways concentrates more of the maths into the high-ways spins (which appear less frequently) and the free spins or pick-and-win, triggered by scatter symbols.">bonus round (which carries the multiplier ladder).
When Megaways suits you
- You're playing for the free spins or pick-and-win, triggered by scatter symbols.">bonus round, not the base game. Megaways bonus rounds with their progressive multipliers are where the headline max wins live.
- You have the bankroll for higher variance. The base game can be quieter than equivalent fixed-payline games.
- You're chasing a high max-win cap, most Megaways titles cap at 10,000x to 50,000x stake.
When to skip it
- You want a steady session on a smaller bankroll (fixed-payline or 243-ways slots will keep you spinning longer for the same money.
- You don't enjoy bonus-round-dominated math) Megaways base games can feel anaemic compared to ways-to-win equivalents.
- You're sensitive to the BTG licensing premium, Megaways slots often have slightly lower base RTPs than their non-Megaways equivalents because BTG takes a share.