Megaways explained: what 117,649 ways really means
Changing reel heights, cascades and why the number on the screen matters less than you think.
By Lena Ortiz · 28 September 2026 · 5 min read
Megaways is a mechanic licensed by Big Time Gaming. Instead of fixed paylines, each reel shows a random number of symbols on every spin — typically 2 to 7. Multiply the symbols on all six reels and you get the number of ways to win, up to 117,649.
Does more ways mean more wins?
Not really. The game's RTP and volatility are fixed. More ways simply means the wins are spread over more combinations. A spin with 324 ways and one with 117,649 ways come from the same maths model.
Cascades and unlimited multipliers
Most Megaways slots remove winning symbols and drop new ones in. In the free spins, a multiplier often grows with each cascade — that's where the big wins come from.
Good Megaways games to try
Bonanza Megaways (the original), Extra Chilli and many licensed versions from other providers.
Maths graduate who got distracted by game design. Writes our RTP and volatility deep-dives.
