Are Megaways Better Than Regular Slots?
Winning combinations, RTP and volatility explained
Megaways slots change the number of winning combinations from one spin to the next. Regular slots usually keep a fixed set of paylines or ways to win. Both formats can offer varied themes and bonus features.
The important question is how each game works. More winning combinations do not automatically mean a higher return, more frequent wins or a better chance of making a profit.
Big Time Gaming introduced the mechanic in Dragon Born at the end of 2015. Our Big Time Gaming review covers the developer behind the format and its wider catalogue.
While gamblers looking to play slots for real money may be overwhelmed with the choices available on almost any online casino, it’s not a given they have encountered a Megaway slot before. And those that see one for the first time often wonder whether they are better than more traditional slots.
This comparison explains the changing reel layout and the checks that matter when choosing a game. The better fit depends on your preferences, budget and tolerance for uneven results.
Megaways
Before diving into what is different about a Megaway slot, let’s look at how they came to be.
As mentioned earlier, the first Megaways slot has been out since 2015. The technology behind the slot was the brainchild of Big Time Gaming (BTG)—one of the forerunners in online slot game development, who still develops many great new games. Thankfully, they didn’t keep the tech just to themselves, and many other developers now also offer Megaways slots under license from BTG.
Aside from new games being launched using the unique game mode, many older slots proven to be a hit with players have also been overhauled. These slots have been amended to feature Megaways and rereleased, much to the delight of thrilled gamblers.
What Is Megaways?
A Megaways slot is any slot game that uses the licensed Megaways random reel modifier mechanic as a driving force behind the slot’s reel configuration. Games that use this have vastly different reels from others you’ve encountered.
Many regular slots use five reels with a fixed number of rows. Megaways layouts vary by game. Many titles use six main reels with changing symbol counts, while others add different reel arrangements. Check the help screen for the version you are playing.
A random reel modifier changes the number of symbols on the reels. Multiplying those symbol counts gives the number of potential winning combinations on that spin. The game’s rules still determine which combinations qualify for a prize.
Our Megaways slots guide explains the format in more detail. Instead of following a fixed payline pattern, matching symbols generally form wins across consecutive reels. Check each game’s paytable for its exact rules.
For example, six reels with seven symbols each produce 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7, or 117,649 possible combinations. That count describes the reel layout. It does not tell you the probability of a profitable spin.
Maximum combinations vary by title. Some games also use extra reels or different layouts. Compare the rules of the specific game rather than treating a headline ways-to-win figure as a measure of value.
For two examples, read our Beware the Deep Megaways review and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways review. Compare their reel structures and bonus features separately. Neither game’s format guarantees a winning session.
Are Megaways Slots Better?
Neither format is inherently better. Some players prefer changing reels and cascading wins. Others prefer a simple layout and familiar paylines.
The number of winning combinations alone does not establish a game’s hit frequency or payout potential. Symbol probabilities, prize values and bonus rules all affect the results. More ways to win should never be read as a promise of better odds.
Check the RTP and volatility of the actual version in the casino. RTP describes the theoretical return over a very large number of plays. It does not predict what you will receive during one session.
Volatility describes how unevenly a game tends to distribute its prizes. A more volatile game can have long stretches of small or absent returns. Keep stakes within a budget you can afford to lose.
Bonus features also vary. Free spins, multipliers and cascading wins can change the pace of play, but regular slots can include these features too. Read the help screen rather than assuming the Megaways label tells you everything.
Conclusion
Choose a game for its rules and presentation, not because its reel counter displays a large number. Megaways changes how wins form; it does not remove the house edge.
If you prefer a fixed layout, a regular slot may be easier to follow. If you enjoy changing reels, Megaways may suit your tastes. In either case, check the stake, RTP, volatility and bonus restrictions first.
Set a spending limit before playing and stop when you reach it. Switching formats or increasing your stake does not guarantee that you will recover losses.
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