Megaways is a slot engine where the number of symbols on every reel changes from spin to spin. Instead of fixed 20 or 25 paylines, you get a variable number of ways to win that maxes out at 117,649. The mechanic was invented by Big Time Gaming in 2015, and Pragmatic Play licensed it in 2019. Since then they have released around fifty Megaways slots, from Great Rhino Megaways to Big Bass Bonanza Megaways.
Below I break down where those 117,649 ways come from, how Pragmatic's take differs from the original BTG version, which Megaways slot to spin first, and where Buy Bonus is worth pressing versus where it just torches your bankroll.
- Mechanic owner: Big Time Gaming, licensed by Pragmatic Play since 2019
- Reels: usually 6, plus an optional horizontal 7th
- Symbols per reel: 2 to 7 per spin
- Max ways to win: 117,649 (7×7×7×7×7×7)
- Core feature: cascading tumbles after every win
- Pragmatic RTP: from 94.50% to 96.71% depending on variant and operator
- Volatility: high almost without exception
- Buy Bonus: typically 100x to 500x your bet
What is Megaways in plain English
In a classic slot you have 5 reels and a fixed grid. Each reel always shows the same number of symbols. Wins are paid only when matching symbols line up on specific positions drawn on the paytable. With 25 paylines on a 5x3 grid, you get exactly 25 chances per spin.
Megaways throws that out. The reels now "breathe": one spin you see 4 symbols on every reel, the next spin some reels show 7 and others show 2. There are no paylines at all. Instead of paylines you get ways to win. They are calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on reel 1 by the number on reel 2, then by reel 3, and so on.
If all 6 reels land 7 symbols each, the math gives you 7 to the power of 6, which is exactly 117,649 ways. If reel 1 shows only 3 symbols and the rest show 7, you get 3×7×7×7×7×7 = 50,421 ways. The number changes every spin.
For a win to count, you need matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, starting with reel 1. The vertical position of each symbol does not matter. That is the core trick of Megaways: the grid always feels like there are more potential combinations than in a standard slot.
A short history: how Big Time Gaming created Megaways
Australian studio Big Time Gaming patented the mechanic in 2015. The first Megaways slot was Dragon Born, but the cult hit that put it on the map was Bonanza in 2016. By 2018 BTG started licensing the engine to other providers. Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger and iSoftBet were the first wave, followed by Pragmatic Play, Kalamba and dozens more.
Pragmatic Play has been releasing licensed Megaways slots since 2019. Their first one, Great Rhino Megaways, immediately landed in the top of every casino lobby thanks to a familiar art style, a clean free spins feature, and 200,704 potential ways to win (that maximum comes from an extra horizontal reel sitting on top).
By 2026 Pragmatic has more than fifty Megaways titles in their library. Some are themed reworks of their own hits (Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, 5 Lions Megaways, Sweet Bonanza still without an official Megaways version), some are standalone universes like Buffalo King Untamed Megaways or Power of Thor Megaways.
The math: where 117,649 comes from
The base formula is simple. On each of the 6 reels the number of symbols varies between 2 and 7. Ways to win in any spin = N1 × N2 × N3 × N4 × N5 × N6, where N is the number of visible symbols on the corresponding reel.
A few examples to make it click:
| Reel 1 | Reel 2 | Reel 3 | Reel 4 | Reel 5 | Reel 6 | Ways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 64 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2,160 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15,625 |
| 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 74,088 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 117,649 |
Long term, the average ways count sits somewhere around 5,000 to 15,000. The slot is intentionally tuned so that the 117,649 maximum hits rarely but flashes on screen often enough to keep the "any moment now" feeling alive.
How Pragmatic squeezes out 200,704 ways
On select Pragmatic slots there is an additional horizontal 7th reel sitting above the 4 middle reels. It can land 0 to 4 extra symbols. With the top row fully active, the formula becomes 7×8×8×8×8×7 = 200,704 ways. You see this in Great Rhino Megaways, Buffalo King Megaways and Power of Thor Megaways.
Megaways vs classic 25 or 243 paylines
There are three main differences, and each one changes how the slot feels.
1. Constant variability
In a regular 25-payline slot every spin is geometrically identical: same grid, same 25 fixed paylines drawn on the paytable. In Megaways the grid looks different every single spin. You see "short" reels, "tall" reels, reels expanded for free spins. This alone makes the slot feel more dynamic, even on dead spins.
2. Cascading tumbles instead of static spins
After every winning combo in Megaways the involved symbols disappear and new ones drop from above. This is the Tumble feature, the same mechanic as in Sweet Bonanza or Sugar Rush, but baked directly into Megaways. One paid spin can chain into 5-10 cascades and produce a much bigger total payout than a single hit.
3. Free spins multiplier that never resets
In most Pragmatic Megaways slots free spins are not just bonus rounds with the same rules. There is a progressive multiplier that increases with every cascade and stays through the entire bonus. By the fifth cascade your multiplier might already be x10 or x20. That is exactly where the legendary x5,000 to x10,000 hits in Big Bass Bonanza Megaways or The Dog House Megaways (classic version covered in our The Dog House review) come from.
Pragmatic's spin on Megaways
Pragmatic does not just take the bare BTG engine and paint it in their own colors. They layer their signature features into every Megaways title:
- Tumble Feature - cascading symbol removal after every win
- Free Spins with progressive multiplier - never resets within the bonus
- Ante Bet - a higher stake with increased bonus trigger chance
- Buy Feature - instant entry to free spins for 100x-500x your bet
- Multiplier Wilds - some titles ship Wilds that arrive with a built-in x2-x10 multiplier
That is why Pragmatic Megaways slots feel "busier" than the original BTG releases. BTG kept many of their Megaways games purely mathematical, with no extra features on top, and players had to make peace with a dry base game. Pragmatic keeps things moving: cascades trigger every other spin, and bonuses drop on average once every 200-300 spins without Ante Bet.
Best Pragmatic Play Megaways slots
A list of ten standout Pragmatic Play Megaways games, picked on a mix of popularity, RTP and feel. Numbers reflect the maximum RTP variant from Pragmatic's stats.
| Slot | Max RTP | Ways | Max Win | Buy Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Rhino Megaways | 96.58% | 200,704 | x20,000 | 100x |
| The Dog House Megaways | 96.55% | 117,649 | x12,305 | 100x |
| Buffalo King Megaways | 96.52% | 200,704 | x5,000 | 100x |
| Power of Thor Megaways | 96.55% | 200,704 | x6,500 | 100x |
| Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | 96.71% | 117,649 | x4,000 | 100x |
| 5 Lions Megaways | 96.50% | 117,649 | x5,000 | 100x |
| Madame Destiny Megaways | 96.55% | 117,649 | x5,000 | 100x |
| Buffalo King Untamed Megaways | 96.52% | 200,704 | x5,000 | 100x |
| John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen Megaways | 96.50% | 117,649 | x10,500 | 100x |
| Bandit Megaways | 96.50% | 117,649 | x10,000 | 100x |
Where to start
If Megaways is new to you, start with The Dog House Megaways or Big Bass Bonanza Megaways. Both are easy-going slots with friendly volatility and reasonably frequent bonuses. The mechanic is easy to follow: cascades, changing reel heights, recalculated ways count.
If you have played a few and want a serious ceiling, look at Great Rhino Megaways (x20,000) and Bandit Megaways (x10,000). Both can stay quiet for long stretches, but a lucky cascade chain inside free spins puts up massive numbers.
Pragmatic Megaways slots in our catalog
Our catalog also has detailed reviews of related Pragmatic slots without Megaways. The cascade and multiplier logic is similar in The Dog House (classic), Sweet Bonanza and Gates of Olympus.
Pros and cons of Megaways slots
Pros
- Up to 117,649 ways to win every spin
- Cascades chain multiple wins from a single paid spin
- Free spins multiplier never resets through the bonus
- Huge variety of themes and styles
- Universal template you only need to learn once
- High max win, often x5,000 and above
Cons
- High volatility means long dry stretches between bonuses
- Buy Bonus is expensive, you need a sizable bankroll
- Base game without bonuses can feel quite dry
- Operators frequently pick reduced RTP variants
- Top win odds are roughly one in millions of spins
- Small stakes do not really show off the mechanic
How to play Megaways: bankroll, bets, mode
Megaways is not a mechanic where you can deposit $20 and "play for half an hour". The bankroll burn comes in waves: dozens of dead spins, then a 30-50x cascade chain, then another dry patch. To see at least one decent free spins run you usually need 200+ spins.
Minimum bankroll
The base rule for any Megaways slot is 200 spins of bankroll minimum. At $0.20 a spin that means $40-50 ready and don't move up before the first bonus. At $1 a spin you need $200-300 minimum, otherwise the slot eats through your stack before free spins ever land.
Ante Bet: yes or no
Ante Bet on Megaways slots increases your stake (typically by 25%) and roughly doubles the bonus trigger chance. Long term it is mathematically neutral, RTP does not change. Psychologically it is a different story: bonuses come more often, the session does not turn into a monotonous grind. If you are playing within a sensible bankroll, Ante Bet is justified.
Buy Bonus: when it makes sense
Buying free spins on Pragmatic Megaways usually costs 100x your bet. Some titles offer a "double" buy at 250-500x with a guaranteed enhanced bonus.
Math-wise the buy RTP is often slightly above the base game, since the provider compensates for the risk. But session by session it is a lottery. From ten buys, two might land near break-even, five lose, and one or two deliver a big hit. Bottom line: only press Buy Bonus if your bankroll covers at least 30 buys in a row. Anything less is paying extra for stronger emotions.
How to pick your Megaways slot
All Pragmatic Megaways games share the same core math, but they feel very different in practice. What to look at when picking:
Max win ceiling
If you want a genuinely massive ceiling, focus on Great Rhino Megaways (x20,000), Bandit Megaways (x10,000), John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen Megaways (x10,500). Slots like Big Bass Bonanza Megaways or Buffalo King Megaways are intentionally capped at x4,000-x5,000 because their math is "softer" and bonuses land more often.
Bonus frequency
Slots with a 100x buy usually have a bonus chance around 1 in 250-350 spins. Slots with x10,000+ ceilings sit at 1 in 500-700 spins. The higher the ceiling, the longer the slot "thinks" between free spins runs.
Style and pace
Subjective but important. The Dog House Megaways plays fast and loud, with constant barking and bouncing dogs. Madame Destiny Megaways is intentionally slow with a mystical atmosphere. Power of Thor Megaways is aggressive, with thunder and bombastic epic soundtracks. The math is the same, but if a slot starts irritating you after 50 spins, switch to the next one. There is no point grinding on something you don't enjoy.
Want to try a Megaways slot right now?
Our catalog has more than fifty Pragmatic Play Megaways slots with direct links to no-registration demo play.
Slot CatalogRTP in Megaways: what to watch for
The biggest pain point with Pragmatic Megaways is multiple RTP variants. Every slot ships with three or four versions: 96.50%, 95.50%, 94.50% and sometimes 92.50%. Which version a casino runs is the operator's choice, not Pragmatic's.
The gap between 96.50% and 94.50% is huge over time. Per $1,000 wagered that is an extra $20 in expected losses. Over a long session of 10,000 spins, the difference can easily reach a couple hundred dollars in pure deficit.
How to check the actual RTP at your casino:
- Open the slot at the chosen casino
- Find the "i" or menu (☰) button
- Open "Game Rules" or "Payout Information"
- Scroll down to the RTP / Theoretical Return to Player line
- Compare against the max RTP from our table above
If the casino runs 94.50%, find another operator. Quality casinos keep the 96.50% variant or close to it because reputation matters to them.
Megaways in 2026: where the mechanic is heading
After eleven years on the market, Megaways has evolved a lot. Today the genre is saturated, and providers experiment by combining Megaways with other engines. Pragmatic already has these hybrids out:
- Megaways + Hold and Spin - in Big Bass Hold and Spinner Megaways you can win both through cascades and through money-symbol collection
- Megaways + Cluster Pays - no pure hybrid yet from Pragmatic, but experiments are popping up
- Megaways + grid multipliers - similar to Sugar Rush, where multipliers stick to grid positions
- Megahays Megaways - in Barnyard Megahays Megaways the ways count is multiplied by an extra "mega-symbol" set
In 2026 pure classic Megaways from Pragmatic is becoming rare. The studio is pivoting to hybrids and more elaborate mechanics to stand out among dozens of clones. Still, the core idea - variable ways to win driven by variable symbol counts on the reels - remains the foundation for most new releases.
Frequently asked questions
What is Megaways in slots?
Megaways is a slot mechanic where the number of symbols on each reel changes from spin to spin. One spin can show 2 symbols on a reel, the next spin 7. There are no fixed paylines. The number of ways to win is recalculated every spin and can reach 117,649. Wins pay for matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of vertical position.
How does the 117,649 ways to win work?
It is the maximum of 7 symbols on each of the 6 reels: 7 to the power of 6 equals 117,649. When fewer symbols land on a reel, the total ways drop accordingly and are calculated by multiplying the actual number of symbols on each reel.
How is Pragmatic Play Megaways different from Big Time Gaming Megaways?
Pragmatic Play has licensed the Megaways engine from Big Time Gaming since 2019. The base math is the same, but Pragmatic almost always layers their own features on top: cascading tumbles, a progressive multiplier in free spins that does not reset, and a Buy Bonus option. As a result, Pragmatic Megaways games feel more dynamic than original BTG releases.
Which Pragmatic Play Megaways slot has the highest RTP?
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways tops the list with 96.71% RTP in its highest variant. The Dog House Megaways sits at 96.55%, Great Rhino Megaways at 96.58%. Most Pragmatic Megaways games default to around 96.50% in their max variant, but operators often pick reduced versions like 95.50% or 94.50%, so always check the value inside the casino.
Should you buy the bonus in Pragmatic Megaways slots?
Buy Bonus in Pragmatic Megaways usually costs between 100x and 500x your bet. Long-term it tends to match or slightly beat base-game RTP, but variance is brutal: a single buy can return 2x its cost and be followed by a series of losses. Without a bankroll for at least 30 buys, skip the feature and play through the base.
How many Megaways slots does Pragmatic Play have in 2026?
More than fifty titles. From the original Great Rhino Megaways in 2019 to recent hybrids combining Megaways with Hold and Spin or Megahays. The full list is available in our slot catalog filtered by Megaways.
Bottom line
Megaways stays one of the most recognizable mechanics in online slots over the last decade. Pragmatic Play's implementation is honest, with extra features layered in: Tumble cascades and a progressive multiplier in free spins. These are slots for players who can sit through high volatility for the chance at long cascade chains and big hits.
Played with awareness - bankroll for 200+ spins, max RTP variant, knowing that bonuses do not pop every half hour - Megaways becomes one of the most rewarding ways to spend an evening with slots. Hop in with a tiny balance and mash Buy Bonus repeatedly, and you will burn through your deposit in 20 minutes and decide that "Megaways doesn't pay". That is not a luck issue. It is an approach issue.
Full reviews of popular Pragmatic slots in our catalog
Read next on the blog
Coming up: deep guides on Tumble and Hold and Spin mechanics, plus a curated list of Pragmatic slots with the highest max win.
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