“Up to 117,649 ways to win” is one of the most-quoted lines in slots. Here’s what Megaways actually is, how that number works — and why more ways doesn’t mean better odds.
Megaways is a reel mechanic created by Big Time Gaming and licensed to dozens of studios. Instead of a fixed grid, each of the (usually six) reels shows a random number of symbols every spin — typically two to seven. Because the layout changes each time, so does the number of ways to win: any matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left pay, regardless of position. Many Megaways games add a horizontal “reel” on top and cascading reactions, where winning symbols vanish and new ones drop in.
The maximum ways-count is just multiplication. On six reels each showing up to seven symbols, you multiply the symbols on each reel together: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649. When some reels show fewer symbols, the ways-count for that spin is lower. It’s a genuinely different feel from fixed paylines — but the figure is a description of the layout, not a measure of your chances. On Atlas, Bonanza by Big Time Gaming is the original Megaways slot.
Megaways games are fun and distinctive, but treat the headline number as flavour, not odds. They tend to be high volatility, so the big wins are rare and the base game can be quiet — size your stake for the dry spells, and judge the game by its RTP, not its ways-count. As with every slot, the expected result is a loss and no strategy changes a random number generator. 18+.
Reflects the Big Time Gaming Megaways mechanic as used across licensed studios — July 2026. Informational, not advice. 18+.
What is Megaways?
Megaways is a slot reel mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming and licensed to many studios. Each reel shows a random number of symbols every spin — usually two to seven — so the number of ways to win changes constantly, up to a headline 117,649 on the classic six-reel setup.
How do you get 117,649 ways to win?
On a six-reel Megaways slot, each reel can show up to seven symbols. The ways to win are the symbols on each reel multiplied together: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649. When reels show fewer symbols, the ways-count drops for that spin.
Does more ways to win mean better odds?
No. The number of ways is eye-catching marketing; the RTP and house edge still govern the long-run return. A Megaways slot is not more likely to pay just because it advertises tens of thousands of ways — check its RTP like any other game.
Are Megaways slots high volatility?
Usually, yes. Most Megaways slots pair the changing ways-count with cascading reactions and big free-spins multipliers, which pushes wins toward the rare-but-large end — high volatility. Plan your stake for long dry spells.