How Megaways Slots Work: Random Reel Mechanic Fully Explained

Last Updated: May 2026 | Editorial Team, Flush Casino

Megaways is the most widely licensed slot mechanic in the modern casino industry. It was created by Big Time Gaming (BTG) and introduced with Bonanza in 2016. The mechanic’s defining feature is a reel system where the number of symbols displayed on each reel changes randomly with every spin, producing a number of ways to win that fluctuates between a few hundred and 117,649 on the standard six-reel configuration. Flush carries a substantial library of Megaways titles, and this guide explains exactly how the mechanic works from the reel height randomisation through the cascade system, the free spins multiplier structure, and the mathematics of session planning on these games. Whether you are loading Bonanza for the first time or trying to understand why Extra Chilli Megaways has a theoretical max win of 114,795x, every mechanism is covered here with specific data.

The Core Patent: What Makes Megaways Different

Before Megaways, slot reels were fixed in height. A five-reel game showed the same number of symbol positions per reel on every spin, 3 rows being standard, sometimes 4. The number of winning combinations was fixed, whether described as paylines or ways to win.

Megaways changes one variable: reel height. Each reel in a Megaways game can display a different number of symbols on each spin. The minimum is typically 2 symbols per reel, the maximum is 7. The RNG determines the height of each reel independently before any symbols are drawn. Only after reel heights are set does the RNG select which symbols fill those positions.

This randomised height is the patented element. Big Time Gaming holds the patent on this specific mechanic and licenses it to other developers. Every game with “Megaways” in its name, whether produced by BTG, Red Tiger, iSoftBet, Relax Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, or any other studio, uses a licensed version of the same core reel height randomisation system.

The Math of 117,649 Ways

The standard Megaways configuration uses 6 reels. When all six reels show the maximum 7 symbols, the number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the symbol count on each reel:

7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 ways to win

When reel heights are mixed, the ways to win is lower. If a spin produces reel heights of 2, 5, 7, 4, 6, 3, the ways to win on that spin is:

2 x 5 x 7 x 4 x 6 x 3 = 5,040 ways to win

The ways to win changes on every spin. Across a 200-spin session on Bonanza, the ways count will fluctuate constantly between approximately a few hundred and 117,649. Spins with higher ways counts give symbols more positions from which to form winning combinations, and higher ways-count spins are statistically more likely to produce wins.

Ways to Win vs. Paylines: How Wins Are Calculated

In a payline slot, a win requires matching symbols to land on a specific predefined line across the reels. On a 20-payline game, there are exactly 20 possible win paths.

In Megaways, wins are calculated differently. A win forms when the same symbol appears on consecutive reels starting from reel 1 on the left. Every position on each reel counts. If reel 1 shows 7 symbols and three of them are wild, and reel 2 shows 5 symbols, then any symbol on reel 2 that matches a symbol on reel 1 contributes to a win combination across all relevant positions. The number of winning combinations per symbol type per spin scales with the product of the symbol heights across the reels where that symbol appears.

The practical result is that Megaways spins can pay out wins across multiple symbol types simultaneously on a single spin, with the total win being the sum of all winning symbol combinations across all adjacent reel pairs. A 117,649-ways spin where multiple symbol types land across all six reels can produce several simultaneous win amounts that are added together before the cascade mechanic processes them.

The Horizontal Reel: An Additional Mechanic

Some Megaways games, including the original Bonanza, include a horizontal reel running across the top of the main six reels. In Bonanza, this horizontal strip shows 4 symbols drawn from a separate mini-reel. These 4 symbols contribute to wins on reel 1 only, effectively increasing the number of symbols in play on reel 1 above the standard 2-7 maximum.

When the horizontal reel is in use, the ways to win formula for reel 1 counts both the vertical reel height and the horizontal strip symbols. Bonanza’s maximum ways to win accounting for the horizontal reel can exceed the base 117,649 figure, though the game’s published maximum ways accounts for this configuration.

Not all Megaways titles include the horizontal reel. Extra Chilli Megaways does not use one. Megaways Jack does not use one. It is a BTG original design choice carried over to some but not all licensed titles.

The Cascade Mechanic in Megaways

All major Megaways titles at Flush use a cascade mechanic, sometimes called avalanche. The cascade process works as follows:

Reels spin and stop, symbols are displayed
The game checks for winning combinations across all ways
Winning symbols are removed from the reels
New symbols drop down from above to fill the empty positions
The game checks again for new winning combinations
This repeats until a spin produces no new winning combinations

Cascades are the mechanism through which Megaways games produce chain wins from a single spin. A spin that produces one initial win may cascade three, four, or ten additional times if each incoming set of replacement symbols generates new winning combinations. Each cascade in the sequence is a separate win event, and the total payout from a single spin is the sum of all cascade wins during that sequence.

Increasing Multipliers During Cascades

Several Megaways games add a progressive multiplier to the cascade sequence. Bonanza does not apply a cascade multiplier in the base game but does in free spins. Extra Chilli Megaways applies a cascade multiplier in both base game and free spins.

The multiplier mechanics differ by game, but the standard BTG pattern for free spins is:

Free spins start with a 1x multiplier
Each cascade during a free spin increases the multiplier by 1x
The multiplier carries over between spins within the free spins round: it does not reset after each individual spin
There is no cap on the multiplier

In practice, a free spins round that runs 12 spins with an average of 3 cascades per spin would accumulate a multiplier of 1 + (12 x 3) = 37x. A free spins round that runs 12 spins with 8 cascades per spin accumulates a multiplier of 1 + (12 x 8) = 97x. A free spins round with consistent high cascades where the multiplier reaches 100x and then a maximum ways-to-win spin occurs with the top symbol is the structure through which extreme session wins in Megaways are generated.

The critical point is that the multiplier is not reset between individual free spins. It grows continuously across the entire free spins round, which is why the number of free spins awarded and the cascade rate during those spins are the two variables that determine how large the round outcome can become.

Free Spins Triggers and Frequency

Megaways games at Flush trigger free spins through scatter symbols. The scatter count requirement and trigger probability vary by title:

Bonanza: 4 gold mine cart scatter symbols anywhere on the reels trigger 12 free spins. Trigger probability approximately 1 in 250 base game spins. Additional scatters during free spins add 5 spins each.
Extra Chilli Megaways: The free spins mechanic uses a gamble system. 4 or more chilli scatters trigger a free spins gamble ladder where the player chooses to accept the current spin offer or gamble for more. Trigger probability approximately 1 in 200 spins.
Megaways Jack: 4 or more compass scatter symbols trigger the bonus. Trigger probability approximately 1 in 150 spins.

The trigger probabilities above are derived from published game mathematics documentation and represent averages across all possible spin outcomes. Individual sessions can and do deviate substantially from these averages. A 300-spin session on Bonanza has a theoretical probability of triggering free spins at least once of approximately 70%. The remaining 30% of 300-spin sessions will end without a single free spins trigger.

Base Game vs. Bonus: Where the RTP Lives

This is the most important mechanical distinction for any player planning a Megaways session at Flush.

The published RTP for a Megaways game represents the average return across all spins including free spins. The return from the base game alone, excluding free spins contributions, is substantially lower than the stated RTP. In Bonanza, the free spins round with its unlimited multiplier accounts for a large portion of the total 96% RTP. The base game on its own returns significantly less than 96% per spin.

This means that in a session where free spins never trigger, the actual return on invested stakes is substantially below the published 96%. The free spins round is where the stated RTP is realised as a long-run average. Players who play 100 base game spins without triggering free spins are not experiencing the 96% RTP. They are experiencing the base game portion of the math, which returns less.

For session planning at Flush, this has direct implications. Megaways sessions require sufficient bankroll depth to reach a statistically meaningful number of free spins triggers. One free spins round in Bonanza can return anywhere from 5x to thousands of times the triggering stake, depending on the cascade rate and multiplier accumulation. The stated RTP averages across all of those outcomes across millions of spins.

RTPs and Max Wins: Megaways Games at Flush

Game	Developer	RTP	Max Win	Free Spins Trigger
Bonanza Megaways	BTG	96.00%	10,000x	1 in ~250 spins
Extra Chilli Megaways	BTG	96.20%	114,795x	1 in ~200 spins
Megaways Jack	BTG	96.01%	25,000x	1 in ~150 spins
Primal Megaways	Blueprint	96.00%	10,000x	1 in ~200 spins
Monopoly Megaways	Blueprint	96.00%	15,000x	1 in ~220 spins
Dead or Alive 2	NetEnt	96.82%	100,000x	1 in ~95 spins

Note: Dead or Alive 2 uses a fixed 5x3 grid with 243 ways to win rather than the Megaways variable reel system, but it shares the high-volatility free spins multiplier structure and appears frequently alongside Megaways titles in the Flush lobby. Its maximum win of 100,000x is among the highest available at Flush.

Extra Chilli Megaways carries the highest maximum win of the true Megaways titles at Flush at 114,795x. Reaching this maximum requires the free spins gamble to produce a large spin count, the cascade multiplier to accumulate to a very high value, and maximum ways to win to occur with the top symbol. The probability of this outcome in any single session is extremely low but it is within the game’s certified mathematical structure.

The BTG Licensing System

Every game labelled “Megaways” in the Flush lobby has licensed the mechanic from Big Time Gaming. The license grants the developer access to the variable reel height system and requires them to implement it within BTG’s defined parameters.

Licensed Megaways titles from studios other than BTG include games from Blueprint Gaming (Genie Jackpots Megaways, Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways), Red Tiger (Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Mystery Reels Megaways), iSoftBet (Book of Kingdoms Megaways), and Relax Gaming (Temple Tumble Megaways).

Despite different studios, the core mechanic is identical: 6 reels with 2-7 symbols per reel, variable height determined by RNG before symbol draw, ways-to-win calculation based on reel height product, cascades, and typically a free spins round with an accumulating multiplier. The creative elements, theme, symbols, bonus features, and RTP calibration differ by studio, but the underlying Megaways engine operates the same way in every licensed title.

This licensing fact has an implication for players at Flush: if you understand how Bonanza’s reel system works, you understand the foundational mechanics of every other Megaways game in the lobby. The differences between titles are in bonus round design, multiplier cap policy, scatter mechanics, and special symbols, not in the core reel height randomisation.

Bankroll Planning: A Worked Example

For a Megaways session on Bonanza at Flush, with a stake of $1.00 per spin:

Trigger probability: approximately 1 in 250 spins Stake per spin: $1.00 Spins needed to reach 50% probability of one free spins trigger: 173 spins Spins needed to reach 90% probability of one free spins trigger: 575 spins

This means:

A $175 bankroll gives roughly a 50% chance of seeing at least one free spins round in Bonanza before running out of spins
A $580 bankroll gives roughly a 90% chance of seeing at least one free spins round

To provide a 300-spin buffer at $1.00 stake (which gives approximately 70% probability of one free spins trigger), you need a $300 session bankroll.

At Flush, minimum stake on Bonanza is typically $0.20. The same 300-spin buffer at $0.20 stake costs $60. A free spins round at $0.20 stake with an average bonus outcome of, say, 150x total stake pays $30. The session math at minimum stake makes the per-session risk much more manageable while maintaining the same game mechanics and proportional payout structure.

For BTC deposits at Flush: at $0.20 per spin, 300 spins costs approximately 0.00028 BTC at a $70,000 BTC price. At ETH, the same $60 session costs approximately 0.016 ETH at a $3,700 ETH price. USDT, TRX, and SOL deposits are also accepted for direct stake funding at Flush.

How to Play Megaways Games at Flush

Flush carries the full Megaways library from BTG and licensed studios in its main lobby. Games are accessible in two modes:

Demo mode: playable without an account using virtual credits. The demo runs on the same RNG as the live game and includes all bonus mechanics, free spins, and cascade sequences. Playing 100 to 200 demo spins on a Megaways title provides a realistic sample of the base game rhythm before you commit real money.

Real-money mode: requires a Flush account and deposit. Flush accepts BTC, ETH, USDT, TRX, and SOL. After depositing, the balance is available immediately for slot play. Withdrawals in the same cryptocurrency are processed through the Flush cashier and typically complete within the timeframes stated in the Flush help section.

To start a Megaways session at Flush: open the game from the lobby, set your stake using the bet selector at the bottom of the screen, and begin spinning. The spin count and balance are displayed in real time. The ways to win for the current spin is displayed on the screen, typically at the top or bottom of the reel area, and updates each spin as reel heights change.

FAQ

What is the maximum ways to win in a Megaways game and why does it change?

The standard maximum is 117,649 ways to win, produced when all 6 reels show the maximum 7 symbols (7 raised to the power of 6). This maximum only occurs on spins where the RNG happens to assign 7 symbols to all six reels simultaneously. The RNG assigns reel heights independently for each reel on each spin, so the ways to win changes on every spin. A spin where reel heights are 3, 7, 2, 6, 4, 5 produces 2 x 3 x 7 x 2 x 6 x 4 x 5 = 5,040 ways (if we correct: 3x7x2x6x4x5 = 5,040). High ways-to-win spins give more positions from which winning combinations can form, making them statistically more productive for wins.

Why does the RTP on Megaways games not reflect my actual session return?

The published RTP, such as 96% for Bonanza, is a theoretical long-run average calculated across tens of millions of simulated spins. In any individual session of a few hundred spins, actual return can be substantially above or below this figure. Megaways games are particularly prone to session-level deviation from the stated RTP because a large proportion of the total theoretical return is concentrated in free spins rounds. If your session of 300 spins does not include a free spins trigger, your session return will be well below 96% because you have only experienced the base game, which returns less than the stated average. The stated RTP is not a per-session guarantee.

Does the cascade multiplier reset between free spins in Bonanza?

No. In Bonanza’s free spins round, the cascade multiplier starts at 1x and increases by 1x with each cascade that occurs during any spin in the round. The multiplier does not reset when a new free spin begins. It accumulates continuously across the entire free spins round. A free spins round with 12 spins where the cascade multiplier reaches 40x by spin 8 will apply that 40x to wins formed on spins 9, 10, 11, and 12 (assuming no further cascades on those spins). This is the structure that allows extreme outcomes in Bonanza free spins: late-round spins with high multipliers and high ways-to-win counts can produce very large individual win events.

Are all Megaways games at Flush made by the same developer?

No. Flush carries Megaways games from multiple studios. Big Time Gaming (BTG) created the mechanic and produces titles including Bonanza, Extra Chilli Megaways, and Megaways Jack. Other studios including Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, iSoftBet, and Relax Gaming produce their own Megaways titles under license from BTG. All licensed titles use the same core variable reel height system. The differences between studios are in bonus round design, special features, theme, and RTP calibration. The Flush lobby identifies the developer of each game in the game information panel.

Can I play Megaways games at Flush using cryptocurrency?

Yes. Flush accepts BTC, ETH, USDT, TRX, and SOL for deposits and withdrawals. All Megaways games in the Flush lobby are fully playable with a crypto-funded balance. The minimum stake on most Megaways games at Flush is $0.20, which allows extended sessions at low per-spin cost. At $0.20 stake, a 300-spin session costs $60 in total stakes before accounting for any wins. You can try any Megaways game for free in demo mode before depositing.

About the Author

Editorial team at Flush Casino produces technical casino guides to help players understand game mechanics, mathematics, and strategy with precision. Our how-it-works guides are written to give players the factual foundation to make informed decisions about which games to play and how to approach them. All technical data is sourced from developer documentation, certified RTP sheets, and direct gameplay analysis.

Understanding Reel Height Probability Distribution

The RNG in a Megaways game does not assign reel heights with equal probability across all seven possible values (2 through 7 symbols). The probability distribution of reel heights is part of the game’s mathematical calibration and is tuned to produce the target RTP and volatility profile.

In most Megaways implementations, smaller reel heights (2 or 3 symbols) and larger reel heights (6 or 7 symbols) occur with defined probabilities per spin. If each of the six reels independently has a 1 in 6 chance of showing each height from 2 to 7, then the probability of all six reels showing maximum height (7 symbols) simultaneously is (1/6)^6, approximately 0.002%, meaning maximum ways occurs roughly once in every 46,656 spins. Actual calibration in games like Bonanza is proprietary to BTG, but the mathematical principle is consistent.

The implication for players at Flush is that maximum ways to win spins, at 117,649, are relatively rare events within any session. Average ways to win across a session are substantially lower, typically in the range of 20,000 to 50,000 ways depending on the game’s height distribution calibration. The mathematical average ways across all possible reel height combinations on 6 reels (averaging the midpoint of heights 2-7 which is 4.5) produces 4.5^6 = approximately 8,303, but real implementations skew toward higher average ways to increase the frequency of meaningful win opportunities.

What Happens When You Retrigger Free Spins

Retriggering free spins during an active free spins round is possible in most Megaways games at Flush and represents one of the highest-value events in a Megaways session.

In Bonanza, landing 4 or more scatter symbols during the free spins round awards additional spins. Each extra scatter beyond the minimum adds 5 free spins to the current remaining count. If the cascade multiplier has already accumulated to 30x when a retrigger occurs, the additional free spins are played at that elevated multiplier, meaning each cascade in those bonus spins multiplies wins by the already-accumulated value plus any further increases.

A retrigger at a high multiplier value is the specific scenario that drives the extreme outlier sessions in Bonanza. A first trigger might build the multiplier to 25x over 12 spins. A retrigger then adds 10 more spins at 25x starting value, which then climbs to 45x or higher if cascades continue, and the product of high ways-to-win, high multiplier, and top symbols appearing produces the session totals that reach four to five figures in stake multiples.

The probability of retriggering free spins during a free spins round is much lower than the base game trigger probability because the free spins round itself is already a rare event, and landing the required scatters during those spins is a further conditional probability. In Bonanza, the retrigger probability during a free spins round is approximately 1 in 12 to 1 in 15 free spins rounds. The retrigger mechanic is a meaningful driver of the maximum win distribution but is not an event most sessions will experience.

Megaways vs. Other High-Ways Mechanics at Flush

Megaways is not the only high-ways mechanic at Flush. Several other technical approaches to large win-way counts are available in the Flush lobby:

xWays (No Limit City): symbols can expand to fill multiple rows, dynamically increasing the ways to win on a per-reel basis. Differs from Megaways in that the expansion is symbol-triggered rather than randomly assigned before the spin. San Quentin xWays and Fire in the Hole xBomb both use this mechanic.

InfiniReels (Red Tiger): reels can extend infinitely to the right, adding a new reel each time a full column of matching symbols appears. Each new reel added increases the ways-to-win multiplicatively.

Cluster pays (Pragmatic Play, Push Gaming, Play’n GO): as covered in the Flush cluster pays guide, this replaces ways-to-win entirely with adjacency-based cluster counting on a grid.

The practical differences between Megaways and these alternatives at Flush: Megaways is the most widely supported with the largest game library, the multiplier-free-spins structure is the most standardised, and the RTPs are well-documented. Players who enjoy Megaways mechanics but want to explore related high-ways designs will find xWays titles particularly interesting, as they share the extreme max-win potential (San Quentin xWays has a maximum win of over 150,000x) with a different base-game mechanism.

Session Length and Statistical Expectations

One of the most common misconceptions about Megaways games at Flush is that a specific session length guarantees a free spins trigger. Probability does not work that way.

The correct framing: each spin on Bonanza has approximately a 1 in 250 probability of triggering free spins. This is independent of all previous spins. After 249 spins with no free spins, the 250th spin still has exactly a 1 in 250 chance of triggering, not a certainty. The “1 in 250” figure is the average across all possible spin sequences, not a cycle.

The probability of seeing at least one free spins trigger in N spins follows the formula: 1 - (249/250)^N

For different session lengths at Bonanza:

Spins	Probability of at least 1 free spins trigger
50	18.1%
100	33.0%
173	50.0%
250	63.2%
500	86.5%
750	95.0%
1,000	98.2%

This table makes clear why bankroll depth matters in Megaways play. A 100-spin session at Flush on Bonanza has only a 33% chance of triggering free spins at all. A 500-spin session reaches 86.5% probability. Players who deposit a small amount and play 50 to 100 spins are statistically likely to experience no bonus round at all, which is not a malfunction but simply the normal distribution of outcomes for a high-volatility game with a 1-in-250 trigger frequency.

The Flush demo mode is particularly valuable for this context: playing 200 to 300 demo spins gives you a genuine experience of the Bonanza base game rhythm before deciding your real-money session budget. You will experience the extended periods between bonus triggers firsthand, which is more informative than any description.

Stake Strategy and Practical Session Management

Flush allows stake adjustments on all Megaways games between spins. The minimum stake on Bonanza at Flush is $0.20 and the maximum varies but is typically $20 or higher.

A practical approach to stake sizing on Megaways games at Flush:

For a $100 session budget:

At $0.20 stake: 500 spins available, 86.5% probability of at least one free spins trigger
At $0.50 stake: 200 spins available, 55.1% probability of at least one free spins trigger
At $1.00 stake: 100 spins available, 33.0% probability of at least one free spins trigger

The session at $0.20 stake provides the best probability of reaching a free spins round for the same $100 investment. The trade-off is that a free spins round at $0.20 stake paying 300x produces $60, while the same 300x outcome at $1.00 stake produces $300.

This is the core volatility management decision in Megaways play: lower stakes extend session length and improve the probability of reaching a bonus round, but reduce the absolute value of any bonus round outcome. Higher stakes compress the session into fewer spins with higher per-bonus-round value but greater risk of exhausting the balance before any trigger occurs.

Flush does not apply additional fees or adjustments based on stake level. The RTP is consistent across all stake sizes on a given game. The choice is purely about session duration vs. per-event value.

When using crypto at Flush for Megaways play, USDT and SOL offer straightforward fiat-equivalent denomination: $0.20 minimum stake is 0.20 USDT. BTC and ETH stakes are denominated in fiat equivalent based on the current conversion rate at Flush. TRX is also accepted and processes with the same speed as other supported coins.

Recognising Megaways Game Variants at Flush

Several variations on the standard Megaways mechanic appear in the Flush library, and knowing which variant you are playing helps interpret the game correctly.

Megaways with Ante Bet: some titles offer an “ante bet” option that increases stake by 25% in exchange for a higher scatter frequency and therefore a higher free spins trigger rate. On Bonanza, activating the ante bet increases the per-spin cost to 1.25x the base stake but increases free spins frequency proportionally. The ante bet option is displayed in the game settings at Flush and can be toggled before spinning. The overall RTP does not change with the ante bet; the increase in trigger frequency is paid for by the increased stake per spin.

Megaways with Buy Feature: some Megaways titles at Flush include a bonus buy option that allows players to purchase free spins directly without waiting for a natural scatter trigger. The bonus buy costs a fixed multiple of the stake, typically 50x to 100x, and immediately awards a free spins round. The RTP of the purchased round matches the free spins contribution to the overall game RTP. The bonus buy is covered in detail in the Flush bonus buy guide.

Megaways with Hold and Win: some Blueprint Megaways titles combine the variable reel height with a hold-and-win respins mechanic triggered by coin symbols. These operate as separate bonus rounds within the Megaways framework and are documented in their individual game pages on the Flush lobby.

Key Takeaways for Megaways Play at Flush

Every Megaways game in the Flush lobby uses the same fundamental reel height randomisation mechanic licensed from BTG. The ways to win changes on every spin between a minimum of a few hundred and a maximum of 117,649 on a standard 6-reel configuration. Cascades allow multiple sequential wins from a single spin. Free spins rounds with accumulating unlimited multipliers are where the extreme win potential of Megaways games is realised.

The RTP figures for Megaways games at Flush reflect long-run averages across all spin outcomes including free spins contributions. The base game alone returns less than the stated RTP. Sessions without a free spins trigger will typically show returns well below the stated average. This is expected behavior for high-volatility games with infrequent bonus triggers.

Planning sessions with appropriate bankroll depth relative to stake size is the primary variable within a player’s control. The probability tables in this guide provide a framework for that planning based on the published trigger frequencies of the most popular Megaways titles at Flush. All Megaways games at Flush are available in free demo mode for volatility calibration before real-money play with BTC, ETH, USDT, TRX, or SOL.

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How Megaways Slots Work: Random Reel Mechanic Fully Explained