Who invented Megaways?

Megaways is a patented mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian developer. BTG licenses the Megaways engine to other studios — which is why you see Megaways versions of games from Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint, and others. The original BTG Megaways titles include Bonanza, Extra Chilli, and White Rabbit.

What does "117,649 ways to win" mean?

In a 6-reel Megaways slot where each reel shows up to 7 symbols, the maximum ways = 7^6 = 117,649. But the number of ways changes on every spin because reel height is randomised. On most spins you'll have far fewer ways active — 117,649 is the theoretical maximum, not the constant state.

Are Megaways slots higher variance than standard slots?

Generally yes. The variable reel mechanic means most spins produce few or no wins — the large way-counts only activate during specific conditions. Combined with free spin mechanics that include increasing multipliers, Megaways slots tend to be medium-high to very high volatility. Max wins of 10,000×–50,000× are common for the genre.

What is a cascading reel?

Cascading reels (also called avalanche or tumble mechanics) remove winning symbols from the reels after a win and drop new symbols into the gaps, enabling multiple wins from a single spin. Each cascade typically adds a multiplier. If no win occurs on a cascade, the feature ends and a new spin begins normally.

Megaways Slots Explained — How Modern Slot Mechanics Work

Megaways: How It Works

Megaways is a patented slot engine from Big Time Gaming (BTG) that replaces fixed paylines with a dynamic "ways to win" system based on variable reel heights. On each spin, each reel randomly displays between 2 and 7 symbols. The number of ways to win equals the product of all reel heights — so with 6 reels showing 7 symbols each: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win.

Wins pay when matching symbols land on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel — there are no fixed paylines to align. Because reel heights change every spin, both the win probability and the number of active ways fluctuate constantly.

Megaways is licensed by BTG to dozens of other studios. Popular Megaways titles include: Bonanza (BTG), Gates of Olympus Megaways (Pragmatic Play), Gonzo's Quest Megaways (Red Tiger), Primal Megaways (Blueprint).

Cascading / Avalanche Reels

Cascading reels (also called avalanche, tumble, or drop mechanics) change how wins are resolved. Instead of a static spin result:

Winning symbols are removed ("explode" or "disappear") from the grid
New symbols fall into the gaps from above
If the new symbols form another win, the process repeats
Each cascade typically increments a win multiplier (e.g. ×1, ×2, ×3, ×5...)
The cascade chain ends when no new win forms

Cascades are the primary mechanism behind the largest wins in Megaways slots — a single bonus spin with 6+ cascades and a 20× multiplier can produce wins of thousands of times stake. Most Megaways titles combine Megaways engine with cascades and multipliers.

Cluster Pays

Cluster pays slots replace reels and paylines entirely with a grid (typically 5×5, 6×6, or 7×7). Wins occur when matching symbols form a connected cluster of a minimum size (usually 5+). Symbols can connect horizontally and vertically.

Cluster pays games almost always combine with cascading mechanics — winning clusters disappear, new symbols drop in, chains of cascades accumulate multipliers. Notable cluster pays titles: Jammin' Jars (Push Gaming), Reactoonz (Play'n GO), Honey Rush (Play'n GO).

Hold & Spin / Hyperhold

Hold & Spin is a bonus mechanic typically found in Novomatic and Aristocrat-style games (also called Respins or Cash Collect variants). The mechanic:

Landing 6+ special symbols (usually coins or cash symbols) triggers the bonus
The triggering symbols hold in place; all other positions re-spin
Each new coin symbol that lands resets the re-spin counter to 3
The bonus ends when spins run out with no new symbols landing
Total win = sum of all held coin values
Special positions (Full House, Grand, Major, Minor jackpots) award fixed prizes if their grid position is filled

Hyperhold is Pragmatic Play's branded version of this mechanic (used in Aztec Bonanza, John Hunter series). The feature structure is identical to Hold & Spin under a different trademark.

Bonus Buy

Bonus buy (also called Feature Buy or Bonus Purchase) allows players to pay a fixed multiple of their stake to immediately trigger the bonus round, bypassing base game play. Typical cost: 50×–100× stake for instant free spins; some games offer "enhanced" buys at 200×+ stake for upgraded bonus versions.

In the UK: The UKGC banned bonus buy features from all licensed casino games effective October 2021. If you are playing at a licensed casino, you will not see the bonus buy button even if the slot supports it globally.

How Mechanics Affect Volatility

Mechanics directly drive the volatility profile of a slot:

Megaways + cascades + multipliers — very high volatility. Most spins produce no win; the top bonus rounds can pay 10,000×–50,000× stake. Extended dry runs are normal.
Cluster pays with cascades — medium-high volatility. Cluster threshold and grid size tune the frequency.
Hold & Spin — medium volatility in base game, high volatility in the bonus. The jackpot prizes create a binary outcome profile.
Standard paylines, no cascades — volatility determined primarily by paytable structure and bonus trigger frequency. Can range from low to very high.

FAQ

Who invented Megaways?: Megaways is a patented mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian developer. BTG licenses the Megaways engine to other studios — which is why you see Megaways versions of games from Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint, and others. The original BTG Megaways titles include Bonanza, Extra Chilli, and White Rabbit.
What does "117,649 ways to win" mean?: In a 6-reel Megaways slot where each reel shows up to 7 symbols, the maximum ways = 7^6 = 117,649. But the number of ways changes on every spin because reel height is randomised. On most spins you'll have far fewer ways active — 117,649 is the theoretical maximum, not the constant state.
Are Megaways slots higher variance than standard slots?: Generally yes. The variable reel mechanic means most spins produce few or no wins — the large way-counts only activate during specific conditions. Combined with free spin mechanics that include increasing multipliers, Megaways slots tend to be medium-high to very high volatility. Max wins of 10,000×–50,000× are common for the genre.
What is a cascading reel?: Cascading reels (also called avalanche or tumble mechanics) remove winning symbols from the reels after a win and drop new symbols into the gaps, enabling multiple wins from a single spin. Each cascade typically adds a multiplier. If no win occurs on a cascade, the feature ends and a new spin begins normally.