You never know what you’ll get during such gameplay, so it’s nice to prepare yourself a little bit. Or at least learn about megaways so you don’t lose all your money at once when you try it. I’ll share some useful info here so you can decide if you’re really interested.
A small trick — put the lessons you learn below to practice at LuckyDays Casino. I recommend this one because they give good cashback (20%-50%) and because there are cool freeroll tournaments here.
How Do They Work?
It’s like the traditional slots (check how those work with these free Konami games) but with a bit of chaos. With every shift of the reel, a staggering 117,649 or even more ways to win (it depends on the title) are opening. For example, in the White Rabbit Megaways title (Big Time Gaming), the expanding reel can hit 248,832 paylines.
Bonanza Megaways started the trend, and now titles like Buffalo Rising and Extra Chilli are keeping that alive. The gameplay is still unpredictable, so you can’t build up a strategy to win.
Well, games like Buffalo Rising Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) can give you some control over the situation with some free spins, but that’s all. There can be other bonus features, but it’s not easy to get them if there’s no bonus buy. Even if you can buy yourself a bonus, you need to think about whether it’s necessary right now.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Constantly Fresh Gameplay
Every spin seems unique because of so many ways to win. Unlike standard slot tiles, where each reel has a fixed number of symbols, Megaways slots vary the symbol count. It’s actually quite hard to get the same winning combinations you got before, so the gameplay will always be varied enough.
Potential for Big Wins
The payouts can be substantial here, especially if you hit it big in a bonus round. While the number of ways to win is certainly a draw, your bet size determines how much cash you can get. They can offer a top payout of up to 21,000x, depending on the title. Big stakes can bring you huge wins, but it’s a more risky way, so don’t try it if your bankroll doesn’t match it. There are also features like cascading reels, multipliers, and free spins that can all stack up to make winnings bigger.
Drawbacks
Less Frequent Wins
The volatility of such titles is high, so you’ll need to wait a long to get something. But if you’re patient enough, you’ll have a huge prize.
If you’re someone who likes to see frequent payouts (like most gamblers), the long stretches between wins might feel discouraging.
Potentially Confusing for New Players
Don’t even think about it if you’re a newbie and not ready to lose the whole of your bankroll at once. It has complex game mechanics, so it can seem like a lot to handle at first. The varying reel structure and fluctuating paylines mean there’s a lot happening on the screen, and it can be tricky to follow how each spin plays out. Also, high-volatility titles are generally not the best choice for a beginner because of rare payouts, so you better practice in traditional ones first.
Key Features
Cascading Reels
After a winning combo hits, those symbols disappear, and new ones drop in. If the new symbols land in the right spot, you might get more winning combos from the same spin. It is one of the reasons the winnings here are so huge (but remember that you still need to wait for it).
Multipliers
They often appear in the bonus rounds. For example, during the bonus in the Extra Chilli Megaways title, multipliers build with every consecutive win. If you string a few hits together, that multiplier can go up fast, giving you more cash. It works a little differently in various titles, but the working principle is the same.
Bonus Purchase
It sounds like easy money, but it is actually for risk-takers. Instead of naturally waiting for the bonus, you can buy free spins or even a bonus round, which is usually a multiple of your current bet size. You’re dropping serious cash for a chance at the big bonus, and depending on your bet, it can cost a hefty amount — sometimes up to 100x your original stake.
Ideal Strategies
Yeah, you can’t create a winning strategy for the gameplay, but you can prepare yourself before it even starts.
- Choosing the Right Bet Size: A good strategy is to begin with smaller stakes and gradually increase your stake once you’ve had a few wins or feel the game is “in the zone.” You also have to consider your bankroll’s size — don’t bet too much at once.
- Using Cascades and Multipliers to Your Advantage: Don’t rush through spins, and keep an eye on how the multipliers are stacking up, especially during bonus rounds. If you get a cascade going, the multiplier can increase rapidly.
- Setting Win and Loss Limits: If you’re up 100x your bet, it might be a good idea to lock in your profits and walk away. Also, stop the game if you reach your loss limit.
Conclusion
Megaways titles are a good option for gamblers who have already been playing slots for some time. It’s a nice way to go on a higher level and get a chance to win more than usual. But it’s not something you should start just to explore online slots. It’s for experienced players, and if you feel like you’re not one of them — try something easier first.
