Megaways slots have brought a fresh and innovative twist to traditional slot games. With unique features like dynamic paylines and interactive bonus rounds, they offer an extra level of excitement unmatched by standard slots. Their rising popularity is due to the engaging gameplay and potential for substantial rewards that attract players worldwide. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about how to play Megaways slots.
Megaways slots are a game-changer in the world of online slots and offer something truly unique and exciting. Unlike traditional slots with fixed paylines, Megaways slots use a dynamic reel system that changes the number of symbols on each spin. This means the number of ways you can win also changes, going as high as 117,649 ways to win in some games.
This innovative mechanic was created by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian developer known for shaking up the industry. It all started in 2015 with the game Dragon Born but the format really took off with the release of Bonanza Megaways. Since then, BTG has allowed other developers to use the Megaways system so now you’ll find it in a huge range of slots.
Unlike traditional slots with fixed paylines, Megaways slots determine payouts based on adjacent matching symbols, starting from the leftmost reel, regardless of the reel’s size. This unpredictability is what makes Megaways slots so thrilling and popular. Here’s a step-by-step look at how they work:
Each spin generates a random number of symbols on every reel, typically between 2 and 7. The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the symbols on all reels.
The winning symbols disappear when you hit a winning combination and new ones cascade from above to fill the gaps. This allows for multiple wins from a single spin.
Multipliers, often triggered in bonus rounds, increase with every cascade or win. They can stack endlessly in some games and significantly boost payouts.
Landing a certain number of scatter symbols triggers the free spins bonus round. Free spins often include extra features like locked reels, progressive multipliers, or enhanced chances of cascading wins.
Some Megaways slots offer a buy-in option which allows players to directly access the bonus round for a set cost. This skips the base game and goes straight to the high-reward feature.
Mystery symbols transform into matching symbols when they appear and increase the chance of forming a winning combination.
Some games lock reels with maximum symbols during bonus rounds or expand reels to add more symbols. This increases the potential number of Megaways.
Some Megaways slots include fixed or progressive jackpot mechanics as an additional incentive.
The symbols and payout structure play a vital role in how to play Megaways slots at Ivy Casino. From low-paying card symbols to high-value icons that match the game’s theme, every spin is packed with potential. Megaways slots also incorporate features like Wilds, Scatters, and Mystery Symbols to improve your chances of landing big wins. Let’s explore the different types of symbols you’ll encounter and how they contribute to the payouts that make these slots so exciting.
Symbol Type | What Are They? | Features |
Low-Paying Symbols | Represented by card ranks (10, J, Q, K, A). | Frequently appear but provide smaller payouts to keep gameplay balanced. |
High-Paying Symbols | Themed icons like jewels, treasures, or characters that fit the game’s storyline. | Deliver higher rewards for matching combinations. |
Wild Symbols | Replace most symbols (except scatters and special symbols) to form or enhance winning combinations. | Help complete winning paylines by substituting for other symbols. |
Scatter Symbols | Landing a set number triggers the bonus round, often with free spins or multipliers. | May appear in specific bonus-only reels during gameplay. |
Mystery Symbols | Randomly transform into any other standard symbol to improve chances of forming a winning combination. | Enhance the unpredictability and excitement of spins. |
Special Symbols | Unique to certain games, tied to specific themes or mechanics. | Examples: Exploding crates in Bonanza or collector symbols in Big Bass Bonanza Megaways. |
Mastering how to play Megaways slots is about understanding their mechanics and applying strategies to maximise your enjoyment and potential wins. With thousands of ways to win, it’s crucial to approach these games with a plan. Here are two effective strategies that can improve your Megaways slot experience.
One of the most important strategies for playing Megaways slots is effective bankroll management. These games can be highly volatile and big wins are possible, but so are long dry spells.
This strategy helps you stay in control and keeps the experience fun without overextending yourself.
Maximising features like cascading reels, multipliers, and free spins can significantly boost your payouts. Here’s what to look out for:
By focusing on the bonus rounds and features you can take full advantage of what Megaways slots have to offer.
Here are some common questions answered to help you navigate these exciting games.
Megaways slots use a dynamic reel system where the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin. This creates thousands of ways to win unlike traditional slots that rely on fixed paylines.
Cascading reels remove winning symbols from the grid which lets new ones fall into place. This feature can create multiple consecutive wins in a single spin.
Yes, Megaways slots are available on mobile here at Ivy Casino and have been optimised so that they perform with similar performance than on desktop.