HOW MEGAWAYS WORKS · REELS, WINS & FEATURES · 18+
How Megaways pokies work: reels, winning ways and features
Megaways pokies combine changing reel configurations with ways-based wins. The layout can create a different number of possible paths, but symbols still need to meet the game’s payout rules.
This guide separates the ways calculation from actual winning combinations, then explains cascades, wilds, free spins and feature purchases. The worked examples are illustrations, not predictions or the pay table of a particular game.
The basic idea: changing reels and possible winning paths
In a conventional fixed-payline slot, wins follow specified line patterns. A ways-based game evaluates qualifying symbol combinations under its own rules without requiring them to sit along one of those drawn lines. Megaways adds changing reel configurations to that approach.
Different numbers of eligible symbol positions can appear on the reels. The game displays a ways total derived from its layout and rules. That number describes potential paths, not how many prizes a spin will pay.
The mechanic is not one universal game
Studios can combine the format with different reel structures, symbols, features and mathematics. The full title and developer matter. A sequel or Megaways edition should not be explained using the rules of an original slot simply because the artwork looks familiar.
Big Time Gaming’s Megaways system is also used under licence by other studios. Our provider hub covers those relationships, with separate guides to Big Time Gaming, Pragmatic Play and Blueprint Gaming.
Start with four questions
Where must an ordinary combination start? How many consecutive reels does the symbol need? What does a wild substitute for? Which scatters or feature symbols follow separate rules? Answering those questions is more useful than judging a game by the largest number on its ways counter.
The main Megaways guide connects mechanics, games, casinos and practice play. This page concentrates on reading one outcome correctly.
How the Megaways count is calculated
For a simple six-reel illustration, count the eligible positions on each reel and multiply them. Suppose the reel heights are two, three, four, five, six and seven positions:
- Reel 12positions
- Reel 23positions
- Reel 34positions
- Reel 45positions
- Reel 56positions
- Reel 67positions
2 × 3 × 4 × 5 × 6 × 7 = 5,040 possible six-reel paths
This calculation includes positions holding many different symbols. It does not say that every path contains a matching combination, nor that every symbol pays over six reels. The actual game then applies its rules to the symbols that landed.
Where 117,649 comes from
If each of six reels has seven eligible positions, the same multiplication gives 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 possible six-reel paths. That is a familiar maximum in some layouts, not a definition of every Megaways title.
A game can have another structure or extra feature positions. Do not force a displayed total into this simplified example if the help screen describes a different arrangement.
Possible paths and matching paths are different counts
Now consider a hypothetical ordinary symbol that pays for at least three adjacent reels starting at reel one. It appears twice on the first reel, once on the second, three times on the third and not at all on the fourth.
| Reels considered | Matching positions | What follows |
|---|---|---|
| First three reels | 2 × 1 × 3. | Six matching three-reel paths, assuming the stated hypothetical rules. |
| Fourth reel | No eligible matching symbol or substitute. | The example does not extend to a four-reel combination. |
| Monetary award | Apply the actual pay table, stake basis and combination rules. | The path count alone does not establish a cash amount. |
Some symbols require a different minimum length. Some games apply special rules about overlapping combinations, substitutions or feature symbols. This is why multiplying matching positions is an explanation of a concept, not a replacement for the game’s own payout calculation.
Rows do not have to line up like a drawn payline
In a qualifying ways combination, matching positions can sit at different heights on successive reels. What matters is the title’s rule for eligible positions and adjacent reels, rather than a familiar zigzag line.
Do not assume that ordinary symbols pay anywhere on the screen. “Ways” does not remove starting-position or direction requirements. Read any special exception separately.
Reading wins, cascades and the completed total
Many games combine Megaways with a cascade, tumble or reaction feature. After a qualifying win, symbols can be removed and replacements evaluated within a continuing sequence. The provider’s terminology and the precise replacement behaviour differ between games.
Follow the sequence one stage at a time
- The game evaluates the landed symbols under the pay table.
- A qualifying award is shown and any applicable feature rules are applied.
- Where a cascade is part of the rules, positions are replaced or the layout reacts.
- The next evaluation can add another award or end the sequence.
- The completed result gives the amount to compare with the original paid stake.
Follow the game’s round total rather than treating each new animation as another paid spin. Read the stake display, round history and rules to see what belongs to that round. Optional purchases or extra bets are separate controls whose full price needs checking.
Several awards can still leave a net loss
For a purely illustrative round, suppose the stake is $1 and the completed awards are $0.20, $0.15 and $0.40. Assume those displayed amounts already include any applicable multiplier:
| Item | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Total returned | $0.20 + $0.15 + $0.40. | $0.75. |
| Original stake | One $1 stake in this example. | $1.00 spent. |
| Net result | $0.75 − $1.00. | A $0.25 loss, despite three displayed awards. |
Long animations and rising counters can make a result feel larger than it is. Read the final returned amount and avoid adding an already-included multiplier a second time.
Multiplier resets matter
A multiplier might increase during a sequence, during a free-spin round or after a particular symbol event. Find out when it starts and when it resets. A multiplier shown in one feature should not be assumed to carry into the next ordinary paid spin.
Look for the wording that says whether it affects one combination, a stage or the total award. A prominently displayed multiplier does not by itself identify how much money is returned.
Wilds, scatters, free spins and feature purchases
Wild symbols follow substitution rules
A wild can substitute for specified symbols, but the exceptions matter. It might not replace a scatter, might appear only on certain reels or might behave differently in a feature. Read those details before including it in a matching-path count.
A special expanding symbol can have another payout rule. For example, BGaming’s Book of Cats Megaways rules describe ordinary left-to-right adjacent combinations and a feature expanding symbol that can pay on non-adjacent reels. That exception belongs to the stated feature, not to every ordinary Megaways combination.
Scatters can trigger a separate round
Read how many scatters are required and which positions count. A game can require specific reels, a minimum total or another condition. The presence of almost enough scatters is not a partly banked guarantee that the next spin will finish the trigger.
Also read whether extra scatters add spins, increase a multiplier or change another part of the feature. Do not borrow another title’s scatter rules because the symbols look alike.
In-game free spins belong to the mode being played
A naturally triggered free-spin round follows the game’s own rules. In a demo, its awards remain virtual credits. In cash play, the account and any active promotional conditions can still affect the balance.
Promotional spins issued by a casino are a different arrangement. They can specify a named title, stake value, wagering, expiry and cash-out rules. Our free-spins guide and Megaways bonus guide cover those offer conditions.
A bonus buy is a paid feature
Where offered and permitted, a feature purchase can cost many times the selected stake. A hypothetical 100× purchase at $0.20 costs $20. The small base-stake label does not make the purchase a twenty-cent action.
Read the complete cost and any separate return figure. A feature purchase can return less than its price, and the option may be absent or restricted in a particular market, game version or promotion.
Feature choices need their own explanation
Some games offer different feature options or an additional gamble. More spins can be paired with a different multiplier or condition. A feature choice should not be described as the best option without understanding the applicable rules and mathematics.
A game’s purchase or gamble controls do not override casino bonus restrictions. Confirm whether optional actions are permitted under an active coupon before using restricted funds.
Different Megaways games use different mathematics
These provider examples show why a single layout or feature explanation cannot cover every title. They identify published game information, not installation at each casino we review.
| Game | Published example | What it illustrates |
|---|---|---|
| Bonanza — Big Time Gaming | The provider page lists 117,649 ways and describes its reaction system. | A familiar maximum belongs to a specific game reference. |
| White Rabbit — Big Time Gaming | The provider page lists 16,807 base-game ways and 248,832 feature-game ways. | The base game and feature can have different maximum layouts. |
| Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways — Blueprint Gaming | The provider page lists up to 15,625 ways and several RTP configurations. | Neither one ways maximum nor one RTP setting defines the whole format. |
RTP is not the ways count
Return to player describes theoretical returns against stakes over the long run. Symbol probabilities, payouts and features contribute to that figure. Counting available paths cannot establish it on its own.
At an illustrative 96% RTP, the theoretical house edge is 4%. That does not promise a $96 return from a $100 deposit. Reusing returned money adds turnover, and a short session can end with none of the original balance left.
The Megaways RTP guide compares published versions and distinguishes ordinary play from purchased features. Read the actual game help before applying a headline percentage.
Volatility and maximum wins answer other questions
Volatility concerns how returns are distributed. It is different from the long-run percentage, the number of possible paths and the frequency of any small award.
A maximum-win multiplier describes a possible ceiling under stated conditions. It does not tell you how likely that outcome is, or prove that an operator will pay a balance without its account checks and applicable terms.
A long losing sequence, a nearly triggered feature or a large ways display does not mean a win is due. Raising the stake to recover losses increases the money at risk rather than changing the underlying rules in your favour.
Learning the controls and checking a casino
An eligible demo can help you find the help screen, read the stake and follow one completed result. Practice credits and wins cannot be withdrawn. A demo is useful for learning the interface, not for predicting the next cash outcome.
Use our Megaways free-play guide for preview routes and access limits. It does not claim universal no-registration access or that a preview verifies the paid version’s configuration.
Read the game on your own screen
Make sure the full stake, help control and optional feature buttons are visible. A mobile layout can differ from the desktop presentation even where the same title is supported. The Android, iPhone, iPad and Mac guides cover access questions.
Choose time and spending limits before any paid play. You can stop after understanding the rules; a feature does not have to trigger for a practice session to have served its purpose.
General offers do not verify a Megaways library
The four-brand table below compares general casino offers. It does not confirm a genuine Megaways library, the game examples above or promotion eligibility at every brand. Ripper’s public catalogue, checked on 29 October 2026, lists Witch Heart Megaways. A listing does not confirm an opened game’s configuration or availability to a NZ account.
We may receive commission through these links. Read our Affiliate Disclosure and casino review directory.
| Casino | Welcome offer | Key conditions | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fair Go CasinoRead review of Fair Go Casino | Up to $1,000 welcome package 100% up to $200 on each of the first five deposits. Code:WELCOME | Minimum: $20 per deposit bonus, unless the redeemed coupon states otherwise. Full conditions & sources for Fair Go Casino
Eligible games, contribution rules, account checks and current coupon terms apply. Confirm these before claiming. | View offer18+ · Terms apply Checked 2026-10-28 |
 Ozwin CasinoRead review of Ozwin Casino | Up to $4,000 + 100 free spins over two welcome bonuses Two 200% matches up to $2,000 each, with 50 spins on Bubble Bubble 2 and 50 on Cash Bandits 2. Code:WELCOME400 | Minimum: $20 for each of the two welcome bonuses. Full conditions & sources for Ozwin Casino
Eligible games, contribution rules, account checks and current coupon terms apply. Confirm these before claiming. | View offer18+ · Terms apply Checked 2026-10-28 |
 Ripper CasinoRead review of Ripper Casino | 250% up to $2,500 New-player welcome deposit bonus; one claim per player. Code:KIWIJACKPOT | Minimum: $30 for this NZ offer. Full conditions & sources for Ripper Casino
Eligible games, contribution rules, account checks and current coupon terms apply. Confirm these before claiming. | View offer18+ · Terms apply Checked 2026-10-28 |
 Uptown PokiesRead review of Uptown Pokies | 250% up to $2,500 UNPACK first-deposit welcome offer, minimum deposit $25. Code:UNPACK | Minimum: $25; first deposit only. Full conditions & sources for Uptown Pokies
Eligible games, contribution rules, account checks and current coupon terms apply. Confirm these before claiming. | View offer18+ · Terms apply Checked 2026-10-28 |
Ripper offer limit: its general rules state a maximum qualifying deposit of $200 unless an offer says otherwise. At 250%, that would produce a $500 bonus; the $2,500 welcome headline alone does not resolve the difference. Confirm an express override in the active offer terms before relying on the headline maximum.
The Megaways casino guide separates game evidence from account, payment and bonus checks. The Fair Go, Ozwin, Ripper and Uptown Pokies reviews cover wider conditions.
As checked on 29 October 2026, DIA’s player guidance describes a licensing transition, with licences expected from early 2027. We have not verified an issued NZ licence for the four featured brands. Check current official guidance and account eligibility.
A game mechanic or supplier licence does not establish a New Zealand operator licence. If gambling stops feeling manageable, our responsible gambling guide links to independent support.
How Megaways works: FAQs
How do Megaways pokies work?
They use changing reel configurations and ways-based win evaluation under each game’s rules. The number of possible paths can change between outcomes. Matching symbols still need to meet the pay table’s conditions; a large ways count is not a count of guaranteed prizes.
How is the number of Megaways calculated?
In a simple reel layout, multiply the eligible symbol positions on each reel. For example, 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 × 6 × 7 gives 5,040 possible six-reel paths. The actual title may include different reel structures or special positions, so use its rules for the displayed total.
Do all Megaways games have 117,649 ways?
No. That number is a familiar maximum for some six-reel layouts, not a universal definition. Provider references list 117,649 for Bonanza, up to 15,625 for Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways, and different base and feature maxima for White Rabbit. Check the exact edition.
Do matching symbols have to follow a payline?
In a ways-based game they do not have to follow one of a fixed set of drawn paylines. However, winning direction, adjacent reels, starting position and minimum combination length still depend on the title. Wilds, scatters and special feature symbols can have separate rules.
What is a cascade or tumble?
Where a game uses this feature, a winning combination can be removed and replacement symbols can produce another evaluation within the sequence. The game’s own rules determine how it continues and whether a multiplier applies. Read the completed total against the original stake rather than counting animations as profit.
Are free spins and bonus buys the same thing?
No. A free-spin round can be triggered under a game’s own rules, a bonus buy is a paid feature purchase where offered and permitted, and promotional spins are issued under casino terms. Their costs, eligibility, RTP information and restrictions can differ.
Does more Megaways mean a higher RTP?
The ways count does not establish RTP by itself. Symbol probabilities, payouts and feature rules determine the game’s theoretical returns. RTP, volatility, hit frequency and maximum win describe different things, and none guarantees the result of a short session.
Can I learn Megaways in a free demo?
An eligible demo can help you find the rules, understand the controls and follow completed results using practice credits. Those credits cannot be withdrawn. Demo results do not predict paid outcomes or confirm a casino’s cash-game configuration, bonus eligibility or withdrawal performance.
Sources and checking method
We checked the linked official provider pages and BGaming’s dated rules document on 29 October 2026. Worked reel counts, matching paths and round totals are explicitly hypothetical. They do not replace the pay table of a named game or claim personal cash-play results.
Read our Editorial Policy or use the contact page to report a specific title, edition or rules change.
