You press spin, and the reels look taller than they did a second ago. On the next spin, they shrink, then stretch again. Nothing is broken. That is the whole point of Megaways slots: a Big Time Gaming mechanic where each reel shows a random number of symbols on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes each time, up to 117,649 on six reels of seven symbols. BitofGold is a social online casino with access to platforms such as Astro7 and V-Blink that carry Megaways titles. Read on to learn how to win, what changes from spin to spin, and where to play these games.
Megaways in Plain Terms
What are Megaways slots? Think of a slot with a fixed grid, where the symbols always sit in the same rows. Now picture that grid breathing in and out. In Megaways slots, a random reel modifier decides how many symbols each reel shows, anywhere from 2 to 7 per reel, and a game usually has 6 reels. Because each reel's height changes, older slots' paylines give way to “ways.” Instead of following a set line across the screen, the game checks whether matching symbols sit on neighboring reels, starting from the left.
Big Time Gaming introduced the mechanic in 2016, and its Bonanza title made it famous. Since then, many studios have licensed it, which is why you now see Megaways in the name of so many unrelated games. The theme and the extra features differ from title to title, but the reel behavior is the common thread.
Counting the Ways
How do Megaways slots work out the number of ways on any given spin? With one simple piece of multiplication. Take the number of symbols showing on each reel, and multiply them together from the first reel to the sixth.
Here is the biggest case. Every reel shows 7 symbols, so the math is 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7, which equals 117,649 ways. That is the classic maximum on six reels.
Now a quiet spin. Say the reels show 2, 3, 4, 2, 5 and 3 symbols. Multiply them in order: 2 x 3 = 6, then 6 x 4 = 24, then 24 x 2 = 48, then 48 x 5 = 240, then 240 x 3 = 720. That spin has 720 ways.
You will usually see this number displayed near the reels, often as a counter that changes each spin. A bigger number means more possible combinations on that spin, not a better result. A short reel can still land a perfect match, and a tall reel can still miss, so the counter is simply a snapshot of how the grid looks right now.
Features That Ride Along
Changing reels are only half the story, because most Megaways games add extras. Which ones you get depends on the individual game, so always check its info screen. These are the common ones:
- Cascading reels: after a win, the winning symbols disappear, and new ones drop in, sometimes called a tumble. The game then recounts the ways, so one spin can produce several wins in a row.
- An extra horizontal reel: some titles place a short reel above the main grid. It can add symbols to the reels below and raise the ways count for that spin.
- Free spins with growing multipliers: In some games, a multiplier climbs as you chain wins during free spins, and a few have no set cap.
Megaways Titles on BitofGold
Here is where this guide gets practical. Where to play Megaways slots on BitofGold? Four of the titles below run on Astro7, and one runs on V-Blink.
|
Game |
Platform |
Theme |
| 5 Lions Megaways | Astro7 | Lions and Asian festival style |
| Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | Astro7 | Fishing |
| Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways | Astro7 | Fishing |
| Irish Riches Megaways | Astro7 | Irish folklore |
| Rampart Rhino Megaways | V-Blink | Rhino |
Lobbies change, so check each platform’s game list before you go looking for a title.
How to play Megaways slots here is straightforward. Create your BitofGold account, choose Astro7 or V-Blink as your platform, complete verification, and use the deposit page to place your platform order. After that, you'll receive your platform link and login details, and you'll sign in with those exact credentials. If you want to try the mechanic first, start with free play before deciding how much time to spend. Browser platforms like V-Blink open on a phone or desktop, so pick whichever screen suits you.
A couple of the titles above come from Pragmatic Play, so if you enjoy their style, our guide to Pragmatic slots shows what else that studio offers.
Megaways vs Paylines vs Hold and Win
It helps to see how this mechanic sits next to two other styles you will meet in the same lobby.
|
Style |
How wins form |
Typical feature |
Typical volatility |
| Megaways | Matching symbols on neighboring reels, counted as ways | Cascades and growing multipliers | Often medium to high, so check the game |
| Paylines | Matching symbols along fixed lines | Wilds, scatters, free spins | Varies widely by game |
| Hold and win | Special symbols lock in place during respins | Respin rounds and jackpot tiers | Often medium to high, so check the game |
Paylines are the classic approach. The lines are fixed, so the game checks what you see on screen. Megaways changes the grid every spin, which is why it feels livelier and less predictable to read.
Hold and win is a different idea entirely. Instead of changing the reels, the game locks special symbols in place and gives you a few respins to land more. If that sounds like your kind of round, our guide to hold and win slots covers how it works in detail.
You can also see this style in action on the Cash Machine, a handy way to compare it side by side with Megaways.
Volatility and Session Length
Many Megaways titles lean toward high volatility, though each game states its own level on the info screen, so check before you start. In practice, that means results can swing more widely: quiet stretches, then busier ones. Neither signals that something has gone wrong. For the full picture, the slot volatility guide breaks it down.
What matters for you is planning. Decide how long you want to play and how many coins you are comfortable using before you open the game, and stick to it. Because swings can be bigger, shorter sessions with regular breaks tend to feel more comfortable than one long stretch. No Megaways title can promise a particular result.
Megaways Slots FAQs
Do more ways mean better odds?
No. RTP is set per game, not by how many ways a spin shows. More ways change how wins form on a spin, not the slot's long-run return. A spin with 117,649 ways and one with 720 ways come from the same game with the same RTP.
Is 117,649 always the maximum?
It is the classic maximum on six reels with up to seven symbols each. Some titles add an extra reel or features that push the total higher. If a game claims a higher figure, check its info screen, since that number applies only to that game.
Who created Megaways?
Big Time Gaming created the Megaways mechanic and introduced it in 2016. It now licenses the mechanic to many other studios, which is why Megaways appears in games from different developers. Each studio builds its own theme and adds extra features on top.
Can you play Megaways slots on a phone?
Yes. V-Blink runs in a mobile browser, so you can open Megaways titles on your phone without an extra download. Astro7 titles are accessed through the Astro7 app. Screen layout can differ slightly between platforms, so check that the ways counter fits comfortably on your screen.
Play Responsibly: Megaways slots are for entertainment only, and every spin is random, so a higher ways count cannot predict or improve a result. Set a time limit before you start, take regular breaks, and stop when it is no longer fun. This content is not legal advice.