Megaways Pokies: Your Ultimate Guide

Now that you know what these games are, it’s time to reveal how they work.

Expanding Reels & Win Ways

Most of the best Megaways pokies follow a familiar setup: 6 reels, with anywhere between 2 and 7 symbols per reel on each spin. Because those reels expand and contract randomly, the number of win ways is constantly changing. At the top end, you’re looking at the famous 117,649 ways to win, although some games push beyond that to 200,704 ways, while others cap it lower at around 46,656.

To actually land a win, you’ll need three or more matching symbols to line up on adjacent reels, starting from the left-hand reel. No paylines to worry about. If the symbols connect left to right, you’re in business.

Key In-Game Features

Cascading Wins: Just about every Megaways pokie you’ll play in Australia uses cascading wins (you might also hear them called avalanches or tumbles). When you hit a winning combo, those symbols disappear, your win is paid out, and new symbols drop into place. If that creates another win, the process repeats. And yes, these cascades are unlimited, which is where things can get exciting.

Max Megaways: When all six reels fully expand, you unlock the full 117,649 ways to win. On the flip side, the minimum number of win ways might be as low as 64 or 128, depending on the spin. There are literally thousands of combinations in between, which is what keeps every spin feeling different.

Bonus Features: The best Megaways pokies are anything but barebones. Expect plenty of extras like free spins, respins, and rising multipliers, often layered together for maximum impact. It’s also not uncommon to see Hold & Win mechanics or even jackpots thrown into the mix, especially in newer titles.

Bonus Buy Options: Unlike places like the UK, Sweden, or Germany, Australia doesn’t ban bonus buys. And that’s a big plus for impatient players. Many Megaways pokies let you buy straight into the main feature, usually for around 25x to 100x your stake. It’s higher risk, but if you’re chasing action without waiting, it’s a popular option.

Volatility & RTP

While there are a few low or medium-volatility Megaways pokies floating around, most of them sit firmly in the high-volatility camp. In plain terms, wins don’t land as often, but when they do, they tend to be well worth the wait.

As for Return to Player (RTP), Megaways pokies usually fall between 95% and 97%, which is pretty standard for online pokies. That makes them best suited to players with a decent bankroll who are happy to ride out dry spells in exchange for stronger win potential over the long run.

The first Megaways pokies hit the scene back in 2016, so it’s no wonder these games are optimised for mobile. They’re all designed and developed using HTML5 technology, meaning you can launch your favourite titles on your phone or tablet regardless of your location.

How smoothly they run basically depends on how mobile-friendly the casino is and your own preferences. Every platform we recommend to Aussie players is fully responsive. In other words, it automatically adjusts to your device’s screen and specifications. Some casinos even have dedicated apps that enhance the overall experience.

That said, keep your mobile device’s specs in mind. Fancier graphics and animations can slow down on older devices. Our advice is to stick with a relatively up-to-date iPhone or Android device to get the best possible performance.

We can’t stress enough how crucial responsible gambling is, especially when you’re playing high-variance games like Megaways titles. Long losing streaks are entirely normal, and the intense adrenaline these games deliver can tempt you to keep spinning until you finally land a substantial win. That might not sound so bad, but don’t forget: we all have limited budgets.

It’s a smart move to set your own betting limits right from the start. In addition, modern Australian online casinos offer plenty of tools, such as deposit limits, loss limits, reality checks, and cool-off periods, to help you stay in control.

Last but not least, remember that if you ever feel gambling is becoming a problem, help is available. Organisations like Gambler’s Help are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.